Lower right leg 3 year long injury.

[Gary]

PLease help me!! I am desperate to get this sorted now. 3 years ago i was doing some extra speed training and circuits. There was 2 traffic cones set up with a stick across them, you had to stand sideways to it and jump over it sideways. You with me?

Right i will press on. I didn't find this comfortable and was doing my last one and on landing, something "clicked" in the middle of the outside of the lower right leg, in the middle section, below the knee but above the ankle.

Its been hell since that day, i cant run or ride, its a constant ache in the leg when i sit stand, drive, walk , its all the time . I am at my wits end with it. I have seen 3 doctors, 2 sports injury specialist, 1 masseuse, 1 acupuncturist. I have bought creams, sprays, bandages and straps. I have rested it, iced it, elevated it. You name it i have done it.

I have had it scanned and seen a consultant had the leg pressure tested and told i had a "compartmental injury".. I have just had the decompression operation..... 2 weeks ago..... It still hurts in the same place. I am back to square one.. I am seeing the Doctor tomorrow.

I don't know if there is a tendon or ligament in the outside of the right leg ( i have googled and searched high and low to try and find out)

If you start with your right foot, point your toes down to the max point and the turn slowly in a clockwise direction, it feels tight, uncomfortable and painful in the outside of the lower leg, in the middle where the muscles form a "dent" in the leg. Its painful if i move it in other directions but this seems the easy way to describe it. Is there a tendon in there?? If so what is it called, what have i done and how can i get it fixed? I need to run, i need the buzz of going 13 miles with ease, i need to be fit again. I am a desperate man, very, very frustrated. Please search your brains as to what it is? Ask me questions, i can answer best i can and i'll look up the muscles to pin point where the pain is..

I look forward to your replies. A desperate injured runner. (AKA Gary).

[Heidi]

Hi Gary,

The area you're describing is the site of the peroneal muscles, and actions such as pointing your toes down and away from you are what the peroneals are involved with. They are also involved in foot positioning. So if your foot is either over-pronated (flat foot) or over-supinated (high arch) this can placed strain on the muscles. I don't know if this applies to you?

If so, its possible that a muscle tear occurred when you landed all that time ago and hasn't healed properly due to the additional strain placed on it by faulty biomechanics.

If your not sure about your foot position check this out: http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/general/pronate.htm

Let me know if you think this could be the cause and i'll try to help you out!

Heidi

[Gary]

Heidi, hello!! Thanks so so much for getting back to me!!!

Right that looks and sounds like my problem. That graphic is showing severe overpronating? I have got Adidas response control trainers and these are for overpronating? I think? Its been so so long now i cant remember what i do!

I have felt since the original injury that i now run "out of line" on my right leg .
It looks like my right knee is to the left of my right foot strike. Does this make sense??

But i was fine before, I mean i was caning it, really doing big miles with ease in the same trainers. Now I'm all over the place, i get a dull ache in the left side of my knee, like the feeling you get when you bang your funny bone? Do you know what i mean?

I have had that part of my leg worked on by all the physios and it never seems to improve. Even if it was torn surely it would be repaired by now?? I really don't think more physio will sort it, i haven't run now at all for over a year so the rest should have repaired it?

Thanks for your help i look forward to your next reply.

PS maybe i am out of line now but was fine before. Does this happen?

[Heidi]

Hi,
Yeah that all makes sense! What i would suggest is trying to get an appointment with a podiatrist or similar who can assess your foot position and provide you with some custom made insoles.
The trainers you have, if designed for feet which over-pronate are only really sufficient for mild over-pronation which may have been ok before. However, if your peroneals suffered injury then they are weakened and cannot properly control your motion, leading to possible further problems. That make sense?!

Combine the right foot support with the treatment you were having before and i think you will start to notice a difference.

Heidi

[Gary]

Hiedi!!!!

I think you may be getting close to a result here!! A few more questions if i may??

Does the Peroneal tendon run from the lower part of the ankle all the way up to the knee? (well OK not right up but attached to the lower right side?)

I don't seem to have any ankle problems at all, its painful right in the middle of the leg. Although plantar flexion and foot aversion movements cause the most pain.
Pointing to a tendon subluxation? ( Thank the lord above for Google!! How did we get by without it eh???)

If this is the case i have just had this op for no reason whatsoever? I feel like i am back to square blinkin one. The tendon feels inflamed, and you can kind of "pop" it about, like its jumping around the bone. It defo feels like its out of its rightful place, like i do have a subluxation. This, i have read, will need more surgery? Do you still think seeing a podiatrist will help me to get back on the road? I have also seen you can by full leg supports, is it worth getting one of these? My physio friend says this is never too good an idea because its just covering the problem and it will rely on the support and never get better.

Also ( sorry to go on!!) It feels like the tendon has shrunk, they don't stretch back do they? Right i have asked enough. Thanks so much for your help, i cant tell you how much i appreciate it. I owe you several drinks. I look forward to your next reply with baited breath and anticipation.

Gary.

[Heidi]

Hi Gary

The peroneals run from the outside of the fibula (varying height from right at the top to half way down depending on which muscle) down behind and round the bone on the outside of the ankle and attach onto the outside of the foot.

I am also not a big fan of supports for something like this. Hoever, if the area is inflamed and swells(?) following activity a cold wrap for the ankle area would be good: http://www.return2fitness.co.uk/Cold_Therapy/Cold_Packs_And_Wraps/coldankle31
A subluxation is possible, does it flick over the bone when walking or doing some other activity or is it just when you touch it? However, i would expect pain around the lateral malleolus (ankle bone) and ankle rather than higher up the leg.

Honestly, try another physio or similar, ideally someone who specialises in foot biomechanics injuries. I think this will be your best bet.

Heidi