Do YOU have compartment syndrome??

Could it be your weight? what about your running shoes? Running mechanics/form? Perhaps try a program to help you properly condition and learn to run like C2K?

Compartment syndrome is something you get from over use, if you have not been running, this is not the cause.

http://drjordanmetzl.com/portfolio-item/shin-splints-rw-video/

Pain = Something is wrong.
Pain = Stop.
Pain = Go see a medical professional who cares enough to properly diagnose the issue.

Most likely you have poor biomechanics. I would suggest seeing a Chiropractor or Osteopathic Physician, or even a Physical Therapist. You also need to wait for your body to recover before trying to exercise again. Start slower, try a lot of walking. Try aqua walking and jogging. The more overweight you are - the harder your body works and the more likely you are to injure yourself (much more impact on joints, tendons, etc). So keep it low impact while you work on nutrition to lower your weight.

I highly doubt it is compartment syndrome, but I'm not a medical professional. I was once suspected for it, but it ended up only being Over Training Syndrome. Which is also very serious. The compartment syndrome I've been informed of is a sever overuse issue.

doomlizard wrote: »

RoxieDawn wrote: »

Could it be your weight? what about your running shoes? Running mechanics/form? Perhaps try a program to help you properly condition and learn to run like C2K?

Compartment syndrome is something you get from over use, if you have not been running, this is not the cause.

The information I'd found on the NHS online website implied you could also get 'chronic' compartment syndrome, where the muscle sheathing is too tight regardless, as well as overuse/trauma-based syndromes.

I've had the same issue previously, when I was *considerably* lighter, trying to train for a 5K at university (I've since gained a lot of weight). I've been fitted for running shoes by a professional, and I've never got past the first week of programmes like C25K because of the pain I experience (I can't even finish week1/run1, let alone anything else!)

Compartment syndrome can be either acute or chronic, yes.. Acute is usually from serious trauma.. Chronic is still caused by over use. SO what you are describing is Chronic (Exertional) Compartment Syndrome which is caused by exercise, from repetitive motions, as in running, biking, swimming.. It is usually relieved by discontinuing the exercise, and is usually not dangerous. You will only feel this most likely running and not walking..

If your situation is very painful not relieved with rest, you should get to a doctor.

Certainly nothing wrong with looking for a known cause, I think this particular self diagnosis is off base... I do think your idea on loosing more weight, and getting back into this in a slower manner is a good approach.

I think I've suffered with it - self diagnosed as my GP leaves a lot to be desired.

When I increased my running distances or frequency the front of my right shin burned when I ran then I had a painful lump that moved and kind of 'popped' when I flexed it or leaned forward. This would last for days after running.

The only difference I could find online to differentiate it from shin splints was that your feet go numb, which happened to my right foot.

I found swapping running shoes regularly helped; I have 4 pairs I alternate between. Or having a break from running (at least 2 weeks) & easing myself back in slowly seemed to work. I haven't had the symptoms for a few months now.

It's the NHS. The policy where I live is to phone them at 8am for a phone consultation that day where they decide, over the phone, if you need an appointment.
The appointment must be scheduled that same day, which isn't always convenient when you work full time, and it's pot luck which GP you end up seeing.
With something like compartment syndrome/shin splints if it isn't currently flaring up they don't really take it seriously. You're kind of made to feel like you're wasting their time unless you're seriously ill.
Don't get me wrong, the NHS do fantastic work and the UK is incredibly lucky to have it but only really when an illness is serious or it's an accident, in my experience.

doomlizard wrote: »

esjones12 wrote: »

Pain = Go see a medical professional who cares enough to properly diagnose the issue.

Most likely you have poor biomechanics. I would suggest seeing a Chiropractor or Osteopathic Physician, or even a Physical Therapist. You also need to wait for your body to recover before trying to exercise again. Start slower, try a lot of walking. Try aqua walking and jogging. The more overweight you are - the harder your body works and the more likely you are to injure yourself (much more impact on joints, tendons, etc). So keep it low impact while you work on nutrition to lower your weight.

Okay, I feel that - working on losing excess weight and getting stronger, before trying to actually *run* again. Although it's worth pointing out that I don't feel any pain or experience loss of 'performance' at the moment, except when trying to run, so I don't know how I'd know if I was doing any damage? *le shrug*

And I sort of feel for NHS doctors - lots of unreasonable targets and stress and time constraints - but still, the message "exercise to lose weight/lol why do you think you're in pain exercising fattie" is not overly instructive

Just because you don't feel the impact exercising has on your body, doesn't mean it isn't damaging. When you run, your body absorbs a lot of force. If you aren't running properly (biomechanics) and/or are overweight - the force is larger. Over time this can seriously damage your joints, ligaments and tendons. Just because you can't see the effect at the moment, doesn't mean it's not happening. So many people give up running or say it's "unhealthy" for you because it causes them so much pain. Those who continue on despite the pain, or who just buy "more comfy" shoes to mask the pain.....will eventually break down, hard. Our bodies are amazing but they are not bulletproof.

I feel for you - having to deal with the NHS. Do you not have doctors outside of that? Physical Therapists? Chiropractors? Holistic doctors who might care about what you are experiencing vs just checking of a certain number of patients each day?

I personally was screwed over by the US medical industry. I was given drugs and pain killers for years while my back continued to progress into a terrible state. I finally said "screw this" and found a Chiropractor that surprise my medical insurance didn't cover, but he actually CARED about my problems and is working to fix them. He x-rayed my back revealing 4 bulged discs, misalignments and a tilted pelvis.....the insurance company had been fighting me like crazy to get imaging done. They wanted more PT, drugs, etc. Now that my back is on the mend I'm working with a REAL running coach to learn proper running form and biomechanics. Something that takes a lot of work - but I personally want to run and be active into my later years in life.

idk if i have it, but i do know that it's stopped me every single time i've tried to get into running.

feels like brain freeze all down that part of the leg, turns into burning with superficial sensations of cold. i know, sounds weird but there it is. it becomes physically impossible to dorsiflex the foot and this weird quarter-sized lump sometimes bulges out about halfway down the muscle. it's really really painful, kind of scary, and there's no such thing as just 'loosening up' or stretching it out. everything just kind of turns into lead from the knee down and none of the mechanics work naturally anymore. you end up sort of clumping around like you're boris karloff dressed up in an iron brace.

it's always led to me developing major irritation and soft-tissue inflammation around the hip joint and glutes as well. when you can't move your lower leg naturally, all the leverage has to come from your hip and that causes all kinds of other issues. i gave up trying to run because whenever i try, it takes me a couple of weeks just to get normal again.

doomlizard wrote: »

canadianlbs wrote: »

feels like brain freeze all down that part of the leg, turns into burning with superficial sensations of cold. i know, sounds weird but there it is. it becomes physically impossible to dorsiflex the foot and this weird quarter-sized lump sometimes bulges out about halfway down the muscle. it's really really painful, kind of scary, and there's no such thing as just 'loosening up' or stretching it out. everything just kind of turns into lead from the knee down and none of the mechanics work naturally anymore. you end up sort of clumping around like you're boris karloff dressed up in an iron brace.

That's pretty much what I have! Like the muscles are locked in place, I can't flex my foot, and it won't 'release' with stretching - all I can do is wait, doing nothing, until it goes away.

yeah . . . for what it's worth, idk what it is either. my gp is pretty minimalist. can be a great thing when you need a reality check; can also be a pain in the neck. i'd probably get a big shrug and 'eat more broccoli and quit running . . . btw, want a free tetanus shot? government's on this big kick' out of her.