Calf very tender, tingling and tight feeling?

Question

Last week, I did three runs, and each day I went out my leg was hurting but I still ran. I took one day off, then the following day is when I had intense pain in my calf as I tried to stretch to go out, the more I stretched, the tenser my leg got. I ended up just going out and running (that was two days ago) and I went out last night but my calf isn't getting any better, and I am getting numbing pain (similiar to a sleeping foot but painful) and tension(hardness) in the calf.

What's recommended? I've been just recovering from shin splints prior to that-Thanks>

Answer 1

I would strongly recommend seeing a doctor.

The tingling in your foot and tension in your calf muscle are suggestive of a problem known as Compartment Syndrome.    Compartment syndrome is where the leg swells up inside, but has nowhere to go.  In the most severe cases, compartment syndrome can cause compression of the nerve and even death of the muscle.

See:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/chronic...

for more information.

Compartment syndrome is relatively uncommon and it's possible this is simply from over-doing it, but the tingling your describing automatically raises a red flag and suggests you should be professionally evaluated.  Your leg is tingling because a nerve is being compressed; a doctor should see it and make sure everything is ok.  I think it probably is ok, but because Compartment Syndrome can cause severe problems, you should err on the side of caution.  Good luck to you.  :)

Answer 2

Seeing a doctor isn't a bad idea.  My mother would prescribe rest and hydration for nearly everything, haha, so that's my advice to you.  Your body is telling you to ease up, so do it.  I'm sorry that I don't have more for you.  I try to avoid running.  ;)