Do YOU have compartment syndrome??
doomlizard
Posts: 17 Member
I'm curious as to what it feels like.
All of the descriptions I've found of the pain online are delightfully vague, so I can't accurately compare what I'm feeling to a 'medical' description. Descriptions of things like shin splints are much more detailed - detailed enough for me to feel 90% confident that it's NOT what I'm suffering with. (I'm not including a description of the pain in case it subconsciously changes the descriptions people are giving me - FOR SCIENCE)
I guess I just need to know if I need to carry on trying to run, and this will get better, or just give up on my dream of ever running a mile and focus on a different type of cardio.
(for context, I am a ~260lb, 5'6" 25 y/o lady. I am pretty aerobically unfit, but I can comfortably walk 4 miles a day - 2 miles at a time in about 35 mins, either to or from the office to the station. I tried asking my doctor about this last year, but she basically laughed me out her office)
All of the descriptions I've found of the pain online are delightfully vague, so I can't accurately compare what I'm feeling to a 'medical' description. Descriptions of things like shin splints are much more detailed - detailed enough for me to feel 90% confident that it's NOT what I'm suffering with. (I'm not including a description of the pain in case it subconsciously changes the descriptions people are giving me - FOR SCIENCE)
I guess I just need to know if I need to carry on trying to run, and this will get better, or just give up on my dream of ever running a mile and focus on a different type of cardio.
(for context, I am a ~260lb, 5'6" 25 y/o lady. I am pretty aerobically unfit, but I can comfortably walk 4 miles a day - 2 miles at a time in about 35 mins, either to or from the office to the station. I tried asking my doctor about this last year, but she basically laughed me out her office)
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No advice except to get a new doctor who is a professional and not an *kitten*.1
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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.0 -
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!)0 -
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Have you tried just walking (for exercise specifically and not just to and from the office) for awhile? Making sure to warm up properly and do a good stretch afterwards. Stretching after for me is critical.
I increased my walking speed (for example walking 4mph) before I started with a C2K like program and that worked for me. I tried before to run with a C2K program right off the bat and ended up in terrible pain with plantar fascitis and shin splints, but the second time around concentrated on the walking part until I felt stronger. I am running my 2nd 5K in a couple weeks
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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.3 -
SkinnyGirlCarrie wrote: »I increased my walking speed (for example walking 4mph) before I started with a C2K like program and that worked for me. I tried before to run with a C2K program right off the bat and ended up in terrible pain with plantar fascitis and shin splints, but the second time around concentrated on the walking part until I felt stronger. I am running my 2nd 5K in a couple weeks
I am warming up and stretching, but it's possible that I'm not doing so adequately (I *feel* warmed up, but I haven't had any instructed training since high-school PE lessons, and they weren't exactly great) - do you have resources?
It also hadn't occurred to me to walk *faster* for a while - like I figured that if I could walk pretty much indefinitely at my normal pace, I should be strong enough to run (perhaps flawed logic!). I walk at a reasonable pace, but I'm certainly not power-walking (I get overtaken by people doing so), so perhaps I'll try that too.
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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
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You will know if you have it as the pain will be like no other and you'll need surgery0
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doomlizard 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.
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Doctor. Period. End of story.
I've seen a number of athletes with compartment syndrome. It sucks. Not something you need to gather information on and self-assess.0 -
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.0 -
If your GP has a lot to be desired, request a different one. This isn't something to self-assess with a Doctorate from Google U. This is something that can need surgery to fix.
See a doctor. Don't like your doctor; get a different one. Suffering a god-complex, see a psych.0 -
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.1 -
I agree with the suggestion to walk more. Walk farther, walk faster, walk on inclines. Gradually increase all of this and then when your ready to start running, your muscles, bones & joints will be stronger and ready to run also.
You don't need to run to lose weight. I went from 230 to 160 pounds with just walking and calorie counting. I started just walking on a treadmill set up in front of the TV for 20 minutes a day. I gradually increased time, speed and incline and added in walking on breaks at work until I felt like I wanted to try running. Then I used C25K and I went from having never run an entire mile to running a half-marathon at age 43!0 -
doomlizard 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.0 -
In the world I spend the majority of my time in, it's full of Athletic Trainers. People whose sole purpose is to assess athletes and their issues when they arise. The NHS system you describe sounds like a nightmare. My experience is trainer says, "X," get a referral to a sports medicine doctor, and off you go. So, my experience may be a bit canted. I don't want to get started on the fundamentally lazy docs in this country (USA) who over-prescribe pain meds like it's Halloween candy.
So, back to compartment syndrome. IF you can, see a doc, see them and then ask for a referral to see a sports medicine Doctor if that option is available. In my experience the typical family doctor is horrendous when it comes to taking care of sports related injuries. I've had doctors tell athletes their playing careers were over only to have a more knowledgeable specialist call BS and put together a proper plan of attack. That athlete went on to play through college...6 years after being told "You're done."
Again, don't mess with compartment syndrome. It's painful and so is the recovery and from what I'm told, post surgery is no picnic either. However, a moment of discomfort is better than a lifetime of pain. This is an injury that will sideline you, permanently.0 -
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.0 -
MyFreakingNameIsScott wrote: »In the world I spend the majority of my time in, it's full of Athletic Trainers. People whose sole purpose is to assess athletes and their issues when they arise. The NHS system you describe sounds like a nightmare. My experience is trainer says, "X," get a referral to a sports medicine doctor, and off you go.
...
So, back to compartment syndrome. IF you can, see a doc, see them and then ask for a referral to see a sports medicine Doctor if that option is available.
As described above, it's hard enough seeing a good ol' regular doctor. That's kind of why I wanted more information on compartment syndrome, which wasn't being provided to me by the NHS website/Dr Google - you get 10 minutes for an appointment, max, so if I can say "I think it's compartment syndrome, I have these symptoms which overlap that diagnosis", then getting somewhere might be quicker (because even if it wasn't, they'd still have to refer me to a specialist, who could do something about the problem)
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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.
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If i thought i had CS and wasn't able to see a specialist, personally i would try the following:
- Quit taking supplements containing creatine, which may cause CS, according to the studies i've seen. Some medications can cause CS too, namely statins
- Improve circulation by foam rolling the shins & calves a few times a day, and static stretching the calves every hour or 2 for 30+ seconds.
- Quit wearing shoes with a raised heel (90% of shoes), which tightens & overdevelops the calves. Wear only zero-heel shoes like skateboard shoes.
By the way, if it's just one leg, it might be one of the other conditions that can mimic CS:Differential diagnoses include stress fracture, Baker’s cyst, soft tissue mass, popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES), medial tibial stress syndrome, adductor canal outlet syndrome, adventitial cystic disease, pes planus, muscle herniation or diffuse periostitis.
http://www.podiatrytoday.com/how-to-diagnose-and-treat-chronic-exertional-compartment-syndrome0 -
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.
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