Hey, I’m 56-7 and decided to start hitting the track again to burn some calories.
I never was a great runner even when I was younger but I get out and jog/walk about 3.5 - 5 miles.
What I have done is that my calf… pretty much near the bottom where it narrows feels like one of those balsa wood airplanes with the rubber band propeller .It feels like the band is would up tight and ready to pop with knots in my mid to lower calf.
When I walk…just as the heel rises on the weight is transferred to the ball of that foot… that’s when the stretched/knotted pain kicks in.
Going down the stairs is a nightmare. Anyway, I can’t get it to loosen up. I hurt it pretty bad last Thursday and yesterday I went back only to limp off the track after 1.25 miles.
Is there anything I can to a) cure this quickly and b) prevent it from happening as much as possible.
Wow, that doesn’t sound good… You know it’s kinda funny. I have had pain in my heel in this foot for ages and as soon as I started trying to run again it went away. I thought that was too good to be true.
Now I’ve got this calf pain. I had a similar thing happen in my right leg. I had been on the track, came home, did a few things, and then bent over to take my shoe off an my (other) calf knotted up so bad I was stunned. I had to just stand there bent over and grabbed my calf in both hands and squeezed it until the pain went away. After a day or two, that leg has been fine and has been ever since.
I might see if I can talk to my next door neighbor. He is a retired doctor and might know who I should see. I really don’t think my GP is going to do much more than tell me how all the parts hook together and that I’m pulling them apart, then give me a pain pill.
I’m still paying doctor bills from the past two years getting kidney stones out of me and was hoping to forgo the official doctor visit.
Sounds like an achilles injury. If left untreated will only get worse until it ruptures. Then surgery and 4-6months in a boot. Oh, and life long pain/problems. Get checked out by a Sports Medicine Specialist.
FYI-tendons and ligament have a limited blood supply. They don’t heal fast.
Jeeze… man I had no idea this could be that serious.
I have just remembered that my cousin’s wife works for a sports medicine doctor. I may call her and see what exactly he does.
I did a little reading and one recommendation is no running for 7-14 days and then very easy going back. Maybe I should just stick to walking after it heals. I never was a good runner anyway.
yeah definetely see a doctor and do not attempt to run until cleared to do so.
The most important thing to do when starting a running routine is build a good base, start very slow and short distance, every 2weeks increase distance by no more than 10%! It might not sound like much but it will greatly decrease the likelihood of injury (which will sideline you along time and possibly never allow you to run again) Trust me I’ve seen more new/havent been in awhile runneres injured from pushing to hard to fast than anything else.
Also with your age considered I would definetely go to a specialty running shoe store and have your gait analyzed for a proper running shoe. Actually thats good advice for anyone, just going to footlocker and picking some crappy on sale nikes can do anything from messing up your times to causing serious injury.
Proper stretching prior and after, plus proper warm up and cool downs will help. Plus if you decide running isn’t for you (I’m a crappy runner and always have been), you can get into cycling, with the same exercise benefits, but no impact!
DH & I walk 3x week, 2-4mi each night, and ride the other 3x, 13-40mi depending on the time of day. Since June 2011, I’ve lost 25# and DH has lost about 30#.
Sounds like you may have a shin splint. Rest it, ice it and stretch it a few times a day. If it doesn’t get better doing that i’d see a DR. What condition are your running shoes in? Old broken down sneakers can cause the injury. Good quality running shoes are a must, particularly for us older fellers!
Given the seriousness of getting that internet diagnosis wrong, the OP needs to have it investigated by someone who can see it, feel it, and take a good history.
As said above you should seek a qualified opinion from a sports med type MD, not a family practice doc. I don’t think. PT can do anything without a script (can’t get paid at least).
I was an athletic trainer for 12 years and as said above you are potentially prone to nagging Achilles injuries based on your age regardless of fitness. It is not a shin splint, I can guess that by where you say your pain is localized and that its worse going down stairs. Age is a bitch, and can’t be avoided.
See a pro and save yourself a lot of time and pain.
