Bad cramp in left calf

Itokuzu

Hi folks,

I'm looking for a bit of advice;

I was on a ride last night, going pretty fast on a downhill section at around 110rpm when I felt my left calf gradually begin to cramp up (root cause; dehydration, I think). Within a few seconds the muscle was very tight and I was in a lot of pain. I stopped pedalling and came to a halt as soon as I could (which took a while as I was going about 50kph). I stretched the muscle as much as I could before beginning my cycle home. It was still sore when I arrived home so I stretched it again, then iced it for a few hours.

I am still aware of it now. I am guessing that it has cramped so badly as to cause maybe a mild strain? It is not sore per se, but it does feel it tight when I walk, and tighter still when I stretch.

It doesn't really feel like I have pulled a muscle, but I am not sure.

My problem is that I have a training trail run and cycle tomorrow morning, then a Duathlon next Saturday so I don't really want to stop training. Co-incidentally I have a sports massage arranged for Wednesday evening, and it can't come soon enough.

I'll be icing it tonight, along with some gentle stretching and massage.

Does anyone have any other suggestions as to what I can do to aid recovery?

Thanks in advance.

Ito.

pompeypoppy

A couple ibuprofen might help for a day or two.

I've never had cramp that has caused pain the next day, or even an hour later. Sounds like you've strained a muscle.

If it's still sore tomorrow I would recommend that you cancel your training and rest it. You don't want to take the chance of being out for a couple of weeks, so is it worth the risk overdoing it?

Itokuzu

I have read that severe cramps can cause muscle strains, and this one was a bad 'un. It is still sore now, although a few stretches at lunch time made it feel a bit better. I will definitely be cancelling tomorrow session if it is still bad.

Gargh... what bad luck!!

dilemna

Ouch!!! :shock: . I had the exact same a couple of years back. I too tried stretching it. My advice is don't as you will make it worse. In next few days it will tighten up and then pain will really kick in. I could hardly walk on mine when I badly cramped. The muscle needs gentle massaging and rest to recover. Unfortunately this may take a few days/couple of weeks. Mine took 3-4 weeks to feel back to normal and even then I was and am still am careful not to repeat the same. Yep hydration and nutrition are very important. Also knowing when to quit and rest a muscle as opposed to pushing on regardless. If it persists I would go and see your doc if they are sports injury orientated. Maybe your massage session can be brought forward. If not perhaps you can do a bit of self massage is this is what it needs, gentle and often to begin with IME. Try not to stretch it at this stage. The pain is the muscle's warning system saying don't stretch me as more damage MAY result. Some pain is safe to be overcome but I'd take care in your situation.

choirboy

Had the same thing in my right calf this week. Got the physio at my rugby club to give it a bit of a massage on Saturday which certainly helped though it hurt! She said it "felt very crampy" and said something about the "top of the medial something-or-other" so sounds like your sport massage is the way to go.

mask of sanity

I would say to not do anything to strenuous but don't stop cycling altogether. If you were to stop the muscle is likely to seize up and recovery will take a lot longer. Also, when you exercise you'll increase the blood flow to the muscle which will aid with recovery. I pulled some muscles in my back a few weeks ago and it was agony just sitting down, so I stayed off my bike for a few days. But after a while i just decided to go out anyway and the pain went away in about a mile of cycling. Seems strange that the thing that causes the problem can also be the cure but it certainly helped me!

Rippin

In addition to the good advice already given, you may also be lacking magnesium in your body. Magnesium aids in relaxing the muscles when it's supposed to be at rest. Diet and fitness levels will affect the occurrence of cramps, but I don't know your levels on those fronts. Rapid cooling of the muscles (like on a downhill) can cause cramping as well.

I've starting taking Magnesium Citrate (available at your local drug store) this year and it has helped immensely. My calf cramps are almost all gone.

At this point you'll want to massage the muscles that has cramped, to promote blood flow, flush the lactic acid, and to separate the muscle fibers. The pain you are feeling is most probably minutely torn muscle fibers from the shear strength of the muscle contraction - the only cure is time to heal.

I don't know if you should be icing the area, though. Do you have any swelling? I'd think you'd want to keep the muscles loose and warm, to keep the blood flowing.

good luck.

Anonymous

You are not pedalling properly. Hit the dead spot at TDC, and pull through on the bi-lateral quad.

Sorted.

GemmaAtkinson1

Try moving your cleat backwards slightly as this can alleviate stress on calves

oldwelshman

I occasionaly get cramp like this when increasing cadance above my usual cadence.
I would not stop riding, just ride on flat on lower gear not to strain it more.
I would also not ice it and would suggest a hot towel on it to increase blood flow to the muscle.
Ice is ok for damaged and swollen areas but not necessarily for what you have.
As the weather gets cooler I always use deep heat mixed with loive oil on my legs to keep my legs warm