Lower leg muscle pain, shins???

[Neil]

Hi,
Iv'e been reading a bit on the forum but can't find anything that is closely related to what I experience. After and during exercise (squash) I get pain in both my lower legs. the pain feels like a muscle that is tightened and stiff and is on a single spot the size of about 2cm in length and breadth located 4-5cm above the lateral malleolus. Its difficult to explain but during exercise it feels almost as if that area is going to explode of the pressure. The nex day it hurts while only walking. Usually after 2 days of rest it is better. I aslo feel it when I'm on my haunches (while on toes), the pain is unbearable.
I've laid of any sport for 6 months and had no issues with the pain, last week started playing again and it wasn't a day and I started feeling the pain again. I've seen a biokineticist, physiotherapist and a Orthopedist. The Orthopedist wanted to send me for some kind of scan, a bit better than X-ray apparantly but I did not have the funds.

I'll answer more questions if something is not clear about what I said above.

Thanks in advance for any help

[Heidi]

The area you are describing is where the peroneal muscles pass. It is not uncommon to have problems with this area. The most common reason for this is biomechanic, but I presume you do not overpronate or supinate if you have seen a biomechanical expert?

Other things to try if you haven't already include massage (Believe me it can work wonders!). Make sure you see a therapist who does sports massage, as other forms won't be as effective. You can also stretch these muscles although it can be difficult to achieve a good stretch. Have a look here:

http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/stretching/peroneal_stretch.php

Other things to consider may be if you warm-up enough?

[Liam]

Hello! I'm the same as Neil, in that I have read various topics but can't quite find what I'm looking for...my problem is this: when I walk quickly, or jog, I get a burning sensation in the outside of both my lower legs, about half-way down the leg. This feeling is very similar to the experience of putting an arm straight out in front of you, palm open and fingers pointing up, then opening and closing the fist-eventually, what occurs is a 'numbing' and hot effect, and an increasingly slower movement of the hand, to a point where the activity simply has to stop. I get exactly the same with my legs.

I have had a single visit to a podiatrist, (after physiotherapy, which didn't help), and been told I overpronate. Orthotics helped initially, but now make no difference at all. And, I have to say that I have been running regularly for many years, then after a brake of a couple of years, came back and got hit by this problem...does overpronation 'develop'?

I am really frustrated by this, and the lack of quality, productive solutions that work!

Thanks in advance for any help

Liam

[Heidi]

Hi
One possibility is lateral compartment syndrome:
http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/back/backlowerleg/lateralcompartment.htm

This can cause the kind of burning and numbing feeling you describe due to internal swelling compressing the major blood vessels in the compartment.
Search around for more information and see if it is something you think possible. There are a number of treatments which are initially conservative. Foot position such as overpronation can definately be a causative factor. Other things include tight calf muscles and ankle instability. Have you had any previous ankle injuries?

[Liam]

Heidi

I've tried posting replies but am not sure if they're being sent...I will wait and see if you've received them before repeating myself again.

But thank you for your reply to my original post...

Liam

[Heidi]

Hi
No, your posts haven't been posted!! Try it again!

[Liam]

OK, here we go again...I have had a hip injury-a fairly painful experience, which caused me serious discomfort for several months. Plus, I was a window cleaner for about ten years-either, I suppose could be the cause...or neither!

I am 48, but until eight years ago, I was very active, having been a martial artist, (still) a cyclist, and running 4 times a week, (5 minute mile, for four or five miles), plus swimming once a week. I was fitter when I was younger, of course. Now I can jog slowly, for about 20 minutes. Other than that, I have always had excellent health, and flexibility, and no injuries...I have looked up this compartment syndrome and it sounds very very like what I have experienced, but what are my options?

Thank you again for your help, Heidi!

[Heidi]

Compartment syndromes can only be confirmed through compartment pressure testing. To my knowledge this has to be done at a hospital. So you would need a referral.

As for treatment, this is usually conservative initially (i.e.correcting biomechanics, massage, ultrasound stretching etc) although surgery is an option if this fails.

I think your main option at this moment is to visit someone who has a good reputation in the area. Of course it may not be compartment syndrome, but as you say, the symptoms seem to match.

[Liam]

Thanks Heidi, I will return to my GP. When I first went to him with the complaint, he seemed to think it was just a matter of overpronation.

Thank you again, I will let you know how things progress.

One more point if I may: do any of your suggested solutions totally correct this?