Compartment Syndrome

[34GeeTeeTee]

Hey Guys,

I injured myself years ago when training and ended up with Compartment Syndrome (Sounds like i have a mental disability i know!!!) which basically causes my calves to lock up and a lot of pain in the lower legs, it leads to sore back and all sorts of crap... Its not the worst thing but its sure as hell annoying and slows me down.

Basically i gained around 35kgs in the 3-4 years since i worked out from no exercise, poor eating and a LOT of drinking... So time to fix!

The reason for the post is that i am now losing weight and have entered a weight loss comp at the local gym just for some motivation and am doing pretty well, i am now around 8kg lighter thanks to banning the booze, working out and started eating better etc.... I'm keen to keep at it BUT my calves are making it hard to do a lot of the cardio things and i've been working around it the best i can....

What are others doing to recover/fix?

What exercises are best without injury?

What stretches are others doing?

I assume there are others out there with this as i was told its not uncommon, so wondering if i am alone on SAU with this? Or if there are others out there with the same crap?

I had all the pressure tests, ultrasounds, xrays etc etc and all showed that surgery was an option but the success rate wasnt real flash, i was told stretching and physio but it only seems to do so much...

Anyway, just bored and thought i'd randomly post this up

[-FIGJAM-]

good to hear you are trying.

if its only your calves giving you the issue then try some of the following:

- rowing machine

- swimming

- I'm not sure but I'd imagine the exercise bike wouldn't put to much stress on your calf

[macdog]

Matt, get in the ocean... salt water will help, the colder the better.

Do lots of walking in the water.

My brother nearly lost his leg to compartment syndrome when he was younger, oxygen stops flowing to the leg because of the pressure and practically dies.

he had two holes on either side like this, required 2 skin grafts... nasty shit...

[34GeeTeeTee]

good to hear you are trying.

if its only your calves giving you the issue then try some of the following:

- rowing machine

- swimming

- I'm not sure but I'd imagine the exercise bike wouldn't put to much stress on your calf

Yeah i am doing as much as i can to keep the stress off my calves, i dont want to back off training as the weight loss is going really well, on the other hand the pic below freaks me out!!

Matt, get in the ocean... salt water will help, the colder the better.

Do lots of walking in the water.

My brother nearly lost his leg to compartment syndrome when he was younger, oxygen stops flowing to the leg because of the pressure and practically dies.

he had two holes on either side like this, required 2 skin grafts... nasty shit...

Fark dude

I was sure the doc said it wasnt that bad in terms of long term damage etc, i think i better get a second opinion before i go pushing my luck!

How long did he suffer from it and how hard did he push them to cause that? I was told with stretching and massage etc that it shouldnt be too bad but your brother is living proof it COULD be....

How does the salt water help??

Thanks for the feedback!

[macdog]

It happened when he broke his leg, when he was 16-17. He had 2 skin grafts, a few staples in his leg. Recovery took a fair while but he's been fine ever since.

I know he goes to the gym heaps, pretty sure his leg is fine.

Swimming in cold water helps me, Breaks down lactic acid and loosens muscles.

[GTR-N1]

Are your calves or even toes cold to touch?

If so, it'll be good as macdog says to go into ocean water.

Cold water will cause a biological feedback mechanism to send more blood to the peripheral parts of the body (like your legs) to warm them: in so doing, the extra blood supplies more oxygen which is deficient there (as macdog also said).

If your calves and feet are cold to touch, also get a Vitamin B3 Complex which is made up of quite a complement of Nicotinic Acid form. It stimulates more blood flow to the periphery too. A good brand is Hivita Stress at the health food shop/chemist ;or through your Dr it's called Nikaid on prescription. It's not a drug. You may get hot with it for 40minutes or so but that's ok.

[34GeeTeeTee]

Are your calves or even toes cold to touch?

If so, it'll be good as macdog says to go into ocean water.

Cold water will cause a biological feedback mechanism to send more blood to the peripheral parts of the body (like your legs) to warm them: in so doing, the extra blood supplies more oxygen which is deficient there (as macdog also said).

If your calves and feet are cold to touch, also get a Vitamin B3 Complex which is made up of quite a complement of Nicotinic Acid form. It stimulates more blood flow to the periphery too. A good brand is Hivita Stress at the health food shop/chemist ;or through your Dr it's called Nikaid on prescription. It's not a drug. You may get hot with it for 40minutes or so but that's ok.

No, i am pretty sure blood flow etc is fine... I Googled it after seeing that image as it freaked me out and it seems i have the 3rd of the types which is brought on by exercise and not by injury etc.... I've been taking it pretty easy at the gym and doing cycling with the seat lower than usual as i found it makes me push with my upper legs and not hurt the calves, this isnt ideal but is preventing pain at least....

With that Hivita Stress, what causes the heat? Not sure if i should take it if circulation seems ok?

Thanks for the feedback guys, it gets me down not being able to train as hard as i would like.....

[GTR-N1]

The heat from Hivita Stress and it's Nicotinic Acid (B3) is due to a vasodilation effect where extra blood flows into the capillaries of the skin (and transports more oxygen there).

[34GeeTeeTee]

The heat from Hivita Stress and it's Nicotinic Acid (B3) is due to a vasodilation effect where extra blood flows into the capillaries of the skin (and transports more oxygen there).

Ahhh OK cheers

On a not so positive note, i have stopped training on my legs for now as the pain returned after trial and error tests with exercise... I have now tried cycling and rowing etc and it isnt too bad but after long enough it does start to build pressure, i am meeting with the trainer tonight and will be looking into circuit training on weights, boxing and kettlebell training, all of these i like the sound of, but is still a disappoinment as i dont like being told i cant do stuff

I will speak to the doctors again and see what i can come up with to avoid surgury..

[GHOSTrun]

Macdog - daaaammmmnnnn

Sounds bad, how does it happen?

From memory, is this what some people get who travel long distances on airplanes without moving much??

[34GeeTeeTee]

Macdog - daaaammmmnnnn

Sounds bad, how does it happen?

From memory, is this what some people get who travel long distances on airplanes without moving much??

No man, thats DVT... Different thing... I was tested for that too...

[scarf]

The surgical outcomes are good with compartment syndrome. I'm sure you have been told it involves release of the fascia of the muscle.

If you have been doing non-operative treatment (physio, stretching etc) and it is not working, then get the fascia released and be done with it.

Pressure will go down and the muscle will get the oxygen it requires while getting rid of the metabolic waste products that build up within it.

I've never seen much benefit of physio with compartment syndrome. Shin splints and calf muscle cramps yes, but not with true compartment syndrome.

[Skyline_034]

sounds horrible!

man thats sucks!

[34GeeTeeTee]

The surgical outcomes are good with compartment syndrome. I'm sure you have been told it involves release of the fascia of the muscle.

If you have been doing non-operative treatment (physio, stretching etc) and it is not working, then get the fascia released and be done with it.

Pressure will go down and the muscle will get the oxygen it requires while getting rid of the metabolic waste products that build up within it.

I've never seen much benefit of physio with compartment syndrome. Shin splints and calf muscle cramps yes, but not with true compartment syndrome.

Starting to think that will be the option, but it will be a year or so before i can save for that!! So will have to persevere with it for now....

[Hanaldo]

Yehhh sucks dude, I had major shin splints last year that had my physio worried it was compartment syndrome. Scans gave me the all clear though, and I'm back on my feet this year after following my physios advice. It was essentially just changing my exercise routines and incorporating the stretching, which it sounds like you're already doing. I also needed to get orthotics, as I have flat feet which was putting a lot of strain on my shins. Especially because I'm a 'toe-runner'. My advice - definitely hit the pools/ocean. Swimming is the best. I had absolutely no pain from doing it, and of course it's amazing exercise, it will get you very fit if you keep it up.

Other than that I was mainly on the bike and rower for my cardio and then just did a lot of resistance training. I was fine with anything low impact, but even today I keep well away from treadmills. I can run on grass but not on roads or hard surfaces. As for stretches, how is your calf length? Measure this by standing in front of a wall and bend your knee to touch the wall, then move your foot as far away from the wall as you comfortably can. Measure the distance between your toes and the wall. When I first went to physio, my right calf was 7cm and my left was 8.5cm. Needless to say, the pain was a LOT worse in my right leg. So I had to do the knee-to-wall stretching 3 times a day for a few minutes, plus the traditional calf stretches. My calf lengths are now both equal on 13cm.

My situation might be a bit different to yours given I was having a lot of shin pain whereas yours is calves. But I seriously recommend you do a lot of stretching, don't skimp out on it because it really does help. Also get stuck into swimming, it's awesome

[34GeeTeeTee]

Yehhh sucks dude, I had major shin splints last year that had my physio worried it was compartment syndrome. Scans gave me the all clear though, and I'm back on my feet this year after following my physios advice. It was essentially just changing my exercise routines and incorporating the stretching, which it sounds like you're already doing. I also needed to get orthotics, as I have flat feet which was putting a lot of strain on my shins. Especially because I'm a 'toe-runner'. My advice - definitely hit the pools/ocean. Swimming is the best. I had absolutely no pain from doing it, and of course it's amazing exercise, it will get you very fit if you keep it up.

Other than that I was mainly on the bike and rower for my cardio and then just did a lot of resistance training. I was fine with anything low impact, but even today I keep well away from treadmills. I can run on grass but not on roads or hard surfaces. As for stretches, how is your calf length? Measure this by standing in front of a wall and bend your knee to touch the wall, then move your foot as far away from the wall as you comfortably can. Measure the distance between your toes and the wall. When I first went to physio, my right calf was 7cm and my left was 8.5cm. Needless to say, the pain was a LOT worse in my right leg. So I had to do the knee-to-wall stretching 3 times a day for a few minutes, plus the traditional calf stretches. My calf lengths are now both equal on 13cm.

My situation might be a bit different to yours given I was having a lot of shin pain whereas yours is calves. But I seriously recommend you do a lot of stretching, don't skimp out on it because it really does help. Also get stuck into swimming, it's awesome

Wow, only just saw this man!

Yeah the pain is in the calves, i originally had X-ray (which i thought was dumb) then Ultrasound (looking for DVT and clots) and then another type of scan to check the muscles.... All those tests came back AOK so they said book into this specialist in Bondi, i remember it was a full days trip and test and it cost heaps too, it was compartment pressure tests to determine if surgury was the only way or if i could do physio and stretching etc to recover.... Turns out the tests were bordeline on surgery but it was elective surgery and i remember the doctor telling me the cost which quickly made me want to try the other way first...

Ill have to try swimming, ive never been a swimmer nor like pools, probably because i didnt want to get harpooned, but it seems that most people recommend it

[Mitcho_7]

Is your physio doing any form of myofascial release? If not ask them about it. It's a technique which helps seperate the layers of fascia when they become adhered to the muscle due to inactivity etc. It can help to decrease intramuscular pressure because it no longer sticks o the muscle tissue and allows the muscle to operate independently of the fascia as it is designed to do rather than constricing it.

If physio isn't working, then a fasciectomy might be your only option for long term relief.

They pretty much just slice the fascia around the outside of the affected muscle which releases the pressure build up around the muscle (in this case your calf) which is compressing your tibial nerve and occluding the tibial artery distribution which is generally what causes the pain.

[Mitcho_7]

Are your calves or even toes cold to touch?

If so, it'll be good as macdog says to go into ocean water.

Cold water will cause a biological feedback mechanism to send more blood to the peripheral parts of the body (like your legs) to warm them: in so doing, the extra blood supplies more oxygen which is deficient there (as macdog also said).

I always thought cold caused peripheral vasoconstriction... If you're sending more blood to an area that is cold, this will cool your blood. That same cold blood then goes elsewhere in your body and will cool it. Your body will always prioritize keeping a higher core temp than peripheral temp to keep everything in homeostasis.

A good example of this is frostbite.

[34GeeTeeTee]

Is your physio doing any form of myofascial release? If not ask them about it. It's a technique which helps seperate the layers of fascia when they become adhered to the muscle due to inactivity etc. It can help to decrease intramuscular pressure because it no longer sticks o the muscle tissue and allows the muscle to operate independently of the fascia as it is designed to do rather than constricing it.

If physio isn't working, then a fasciectomy might be your only option for long term relief.

They pretty much just slice the fascia around the outside of the affected muscle which releases the pressure build up around the muscle (in this case your calf) which is compressing your tibial nerve and occluding the tibial artery distribution which is generally what causes the pain.

Well i spent all of Tuesday with the docs as the pain and throbbing was pretty ordinary..... BUT whilst there the muscle was not tight which indicates another sort of problem.... i have referrals to specialists etc now so will see what happens... It has basically rendered me inactive though which is exactly what i was hoping NOT to happen

[wolverine]

Compartment syndrome won't cause back pain, so I would have a bit of a look at spinal claudication.