Extreme Pain In Lower Calf Muscle

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Hasan

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hi,
I am a left arm fast bowler, and recently i have been struggling with acute lower calf muscle pain in both of my legs, it doesn't start unless i start to bowl, even if i run miles i don't feel any strain but as soon as i start bowling, my legs start giving up and eventually the whole lower leg area gets into immense pain which is unexplainable, and taking a step becomes impossible, i have tried resting, its fine to start with but after few sessions it comes back again. as per my lower back MRI, the lumbar is stable and in shape. I am using Asics gel shoes. any suggestions will be highly appreciable.

Thanks,
Hasan
 
I would need more information to be of any real help.

Could you be more precise as to where in the lower calf the pain starts?
When you say "...the whole lower leg area..." do you mean the front [shin] as well as the back?

A video would help if you could post one... wearing shorts.
 
Appreciate your immediate response, unfortunately i dont have the video with me at the moment but i shall arrange in near future, however the origin of the pain is exactly where the calf muscle finishes, and it gets going eventually effecting the whole lower leg, but the pain is not at all intense on the front leg its majorly at the back leg.
 
Sorry Hasan, not really sure what you mean by "...the calf muscle finishes..." as there are a few and they originate and insert in different places. Can you get hold of an image, put a cross where the pain starts and post it.

Are you flat footed?
 
please find the attached image, to add to it, its not a burning sensation, its more like a sharp pain, and once i carry on bowling, the sharp pain starts to spread, its like a buzzing sharp pain just like electric signals. it is also not a sheer muscle pain, as if i touch or press the calf muscle it don't hurt, could it be any nerve?


calf-muscle-reduction.jpg
 
Unlikely to be a nerve as it is in both legs and the pain does not radiate as would be expected.

First thoughts would be very tight soleus muscles but I would need to see your action to be sure. It could be deficit in the tibialis posterior.

Are you over pronated [flat footed]?
 
please find the below 2 links taken some time ago from different angles, but they are in pants, hope they are of some help:)



 
Sorry Hasan, I really need to see your muscles.

You did not say whether or not you were flat footed!

Can you stand on the bottom step of your stairs (hold the bannister for support) with just the balls of your feet on the stairs. Bend both knees slightly and drop the heels down as far as they will go and get somebody to measure how far below the horizontal you can get them.
 
My apologies for not havin that mentioned before. Answer to that is that Iam normal pronated and not flat footed.

Thanks!
 
Very interesting to read that Hasan as you become extremely pronated during follow through!

This leads me to believe that you are dealing with chronic posterior compartment shortness and there is an imbalance with the anterior [shin] which appears weak. If you do not address this we are talking about giving up cricket. It will lead to hallux limitus where the mobility in your big toe will be limited and plantar fasciitis.

Let me know the result of the exercise on the stairs. Take a photo if you can.
 
I wud b more thn happy to provide you with the exercise feedbak, however iam not exactly following up with the measurement part, please guide me if the distnce between heel n ground is to b measured once i lower them?
 
It would be easier if you could take a photo but if not it is not the distance from the ground I am after but the distance down from the step.
 
I have attached the images for your reference. please let me know if you need anything else to do with the pics.

appreciate your kind feedbacks!
 

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OKay Hasan. That very much confirms my diagnosis.

You need to do this stretch three times a day once the muscles are warm. Each time you need to hold for 10s, rest, 10s rest then 20-30s.

You will know when you have done enough when your heels can touch the step below.

Hopefully this will readdress the balance, if not, you will need to work on strengthening the muscles at the front of your leg.

You will also need to sit in a chair with your hips, knees and ankles at 90 degrees and dorsi flex your big toe [raise it upwards]. Just the big toes leaving the others on the ground.
 
I am gratified with your quick responses and conclusive approach with your understanding of the real issue, i will sure oblige and certainly update you on the findings thereof.

additionally i would like to know, if there cud b an issue with the shoes, i wear the compression socks and then regular socks while playing. what brand can you suggest in shoes for fast bowling?

Cheers
 
No worries Hasan; you caught me on a good day! Unfortunately, I cannot always respond.

As long as your shoes are well fitting and supportive they will be fine. Other specialists may prescribe orthotics but as a soft tissue specialist I would rather you corrected the issues rather than masked them.
 
Thanks for all that, and yes, I am inclined to getting in shape before hitting the track again, i was just trying to be a bit cautious for future

cheers and have a great day! :)
 
leftyfast said:
well.....hasan i have been facing the same problem as you...........if you have found the cause please reply......:)
Click to expand...
Even my calf muscle back is hurting a lot. i played cricket after a long time and suddenly i find that the muscle has frozen up. i feel like there is a stone in my muscle. its just hard. What do i do?
 
Hi Harvey and welcome!

It is hard to say without seeing you and you give very little information about which calf muscle or whether you participate in any other activity outside of cricket.

However, on face value, it is probably lack of preparation and lack of warming and stretching of your muscles. Let me know which muscle and I will link a stretch for you. In the meantime, put some heat on it.

If your muscles are stretched and hold no tension, it may be your action... a video may help if you have one!
 
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