Hi,

Subject (me): Male 41 yrs. Avid runner, trains for 5K races. No injuries that have caused cessation of running for around 2 yrs. Averages 50-60m p/week. Mixes up grass, road, track and treadmill.

Due to Achilles niggle in right leg, I started heel raise programme a few weeks back. However, on 3 occasions in last 6 months, I've managed to injure left calf when running the next day after lifting (there was no problem on the left before - training was due to right being by far the more dominant and powerful leg - its calf is 1cm greater in circumference than left).

On first 2 times a week off running was all that was needed (the pain came on during running) and I was back to normal after 7 days, no discomfort / tightness.


A month ago I did the usual lifts, determined to keep minor Achilles issue on right at bay (the theory being that the left needed strengthening a) to minimise assymetry - and b) because the dominance of the right leg is unlikely to help the Achilles (which calms down inside 48 hours' rest btw, but is obviously a worry for the future).

I noticed prior to a 10-mile run the next day that left calf was tight (it felt slightly tight during run, but didn't stop me). The next morning the calf was tight as hell, so I had 2 days off running. I did 10 miles on grass after 2 days. Again, no issue during run, but tight after. Had next day off, but stupidly did some calf lifts...

The next day after lifts I went to the track and did some sprinting drills - after around 6 miles of hard working out... Must admit calf was very tight before workout… (I am an idiot, I know)

Within 10 mins of finishing track workout (which went well) I felt what can only be described as an 'elastic band' tightening up in the calf - it became amazingly tight, rock solid. The next morning walking was painful...

Walking had discomfort for a week. After another 10 days I could do calf lifts and the calf didn't feel at all tight, so I tried a 40-min treadmill jog...(no running for around 17 days).

Within 10 mins of finishing treadmill, the same thing occurred... Someone put a key on my left gastrocnemius and wound it up like a clock spring... This was last Thursday. It wasn't as painful as before and I could walk ok, but it was tight and uncomfortable.

Today I've tried some gentle one-leg heel pumps and it seems on the mend. However, I suspect the same tightness will occur if I run on it.

I've seen a Sports Doctor (1 weeks ago - an esteemed person, whose name I won't mention). His words were 'it's not compartment syndrome - it's a strain. We can do an ultrasound, but it's a waste of time as treatment will be the same'. He told me to lay off it for 2-3 weeks and come back in 6 weeks for follow up.

I'm not convinced 'strain' is accurate here. I've had them before (it hasn't hurt during the run, only after - and I've not had numbness etc, so CS is hopefully not an option). I had a complete lay-off for 17 days and a gentle jog on the treadmill brought it right back...

Chain of events: calf lifts; calf not fully recovered and tight, but I ran on it...hence the issue. If I use an elliptical machine to warm the calf up, the tightness goes away for a few minutes... The issue almost behaves more like a form of tendonitis than muscle strain – you pay after the exercise… Ibuprofen is usually very effective for me, but it's not doing anything here...

If anyone has any suggestions for what it might be / what can be done to treat it, I’d be really grateful. Current plans as follows:

2 weeks strengthening and stretching. 1-2 weeks of walking on treadmill, briskly, gradually stepping up gradient. If walking isn’t a problem, then a 30-min jog will be attempted and so on. Am massaging calf twice a day (‘Stick’ and roller).

Thanks in advance.

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