pains in lower leg

[veganrunner]

Hi,
I have had pain on the outside of my right lower leg for almost a year now. At first I thought it was just a muscle strain, then I thought perhaps it was tedonitis, but after researching that, I could only find information regarding tedonitis in the foot. I came across lateral compartment syndrome though, and think that might be what I have. The pain comes when I go runnning, and does get worse as I run, and subside when I stop, but I also have a pain lower in my leg, about 2 or 3 inches above the lateral malleolus, that is almost constant. Does anyone have any idea what this could be/if the two pains are related or not, and if there is any way of taping my leg so that I can still run/dance? (I am a XC and track runner, and an Irish dancer and both activities cause a bit of pain, but it is worse when I run than when I dance). I did sprain my ankle about a month before all this started, and wondered if that may have caused some of this?Thanks for any help!

[Heidi]

Hi,

The ankle sprain could definately have been a cause of your current injury. It is possibly lateral compartment syndrome, although this is not common. My first thought would be damage to the peroneal longus tendon:

http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/muscles/peroneus_longus.php

As you can see from this image the tendon is quite long and passes behind the lateral malleolus and so is commonly injured following sprains.

My advise is to continue to rest for now, but get some treatment. Ideally you will need ultrasound and massage to the peroneals plus probably massage and strtching to the calf muscles. Following this a program of strengthening the peroneals (using rehab band) and the calfs by doing calf raises and wobble board exercises.

I think if you follow this and then start a slow return to running you should really notice the difference.

Good luck!

[veganrunner]

Thanks! I will try that