Calf injuries, achilles tendonitis, etc.

[Susie]

I've had a nagging lower calf injury for a couple weeks, and I can't figure out what it is.  First I thought it was my achilles.  That was the right area, and it is just a touch tender near where the achilles tendon attaches.  But it does not hurt to pinch it at all, so I figured that probably wasn't it.  It's not really "painful" anyway, exactly.

The best way I can describe it is that it feels like I stretched it too far.  A couple weeks ago I did a 13 mi hike with a lot of elevation (3-4k ft gain), and a 7 mi run the next day, so that's not exactly outside the realm of possibility.  With a week off last week it got a lot better, but never quite 100% (and stopped improving around day 4-5).  My next guess was soleus strain, but that doesn't seem to fit exactly either. 

It's not too bad when I'm actually running, although I start to feel it around mile 5.  It never "hurts" per se, and is never anything I couldn't run through, but it feels sore (especially afterward) and I can tell something is not quite right.

Does this ring any bells for anyone?

[taratru]

YES. Stop running. Get thee to a physical therapist or doctor now. That is *exactly* what happened to me and you've been listening to me whine about it for months now.

[Susie]

What were you ultimately dx'ed with?

[lifetaketwo]

My take away is that you did a 3-4k elevation hike and then RAN the next day! I admire you/cringe thinking about that!

GL!

[taratru]

Sept 30, 2013 9:29:23 GMT -5 Susie said:

What were you ultimately dx'ed with?

tendinopathy...just the catch-all diagnosis.  I've had to start wearing inserts (which helped with the pain during running) and have been working glute strength/activation.  My glutes are weak, so I've been overcompensating with quads and calves, which led to Achilles crap.  It's getting much much better, though.

[Susie]

Sept 30, 2013 9:33:58 GMT -5 taratru said:

Sept 30, 2013 9:29:23 GMT -5 Susie said:

What were you ultimately dx'ed with?

tendinopathy...just the catch-all diagnosis.  I've had to start wearing inserts (which helped with the pain during running) and have been working glute strength/activation.  My glutes are weak, so I've been overcompensating with quads and calves, which led to Achilles crap.  It's getting much much better, though.

I wouldn't be surprised if I had some of this going on too, as a root cause.  

[libbygrl109]

I second getting to a PT. I was dx'd with a lower calf strain back in June, but looking at everything else, the PT could see that my hip was tight and throwing everything off. I already have inserts for pronation, but did find out from my PT that I have a rare form where only my heel shifts, not my entire foot, which I guess makes me more prone to calf issues.

[Susie]

ok, you guys have pushed me over the edge of what I kinda knew I needed to do but didn't want to - made an appt w/ my sports med doctor for next week. I hate feeling gimpy, but not knowing what is wrong is worse.

[emilyj]

Another vote for PT. I finally went because I was having so much foot pain when I ran. Turns out my foot pain has very little to do with my feet, and 95% to do with other parts of my body (back/hips/knees). It's been incredible what they've been able to do for me.

[Deleted]

I think it's no secret at this point all my calf/Achilles and other injuries were from my back/hips. Definitely get it looked at now before things get worse.