Stiff Calf Muscles
sporting wood
Posts: 62
I have searched on this so forgive me if there's an answer I've missed...
For the past month I've been off the bike, my problem has been with my calf muscles. 3 days after a hard 60 mile ride at the start of April my left Calf locked up, I've stretched it out a number of times and over a couple of weeks it kept getting better and then worsening because I played football - 10 minute kick about with friends, barely running only jogging. Couldn't help myself and I didn't think it'd be a problem, doh!
Since about 1.5 weeks ago I've been taking everything really easy, massaging my calf (with the back of my other knee) 3-4 times a day and stretching everything a lot. Everything felt ok but the tendons behind my knee felt a little tight, the calf muscles felt fine. Yesterday I rode 5 mins to the local shop and it felt ok but odd, then kicked a ball with a mate for another 5 mins which involved light jogging but again didn't feel any pain just strange. Today it's tight again, I've been massaging it a lot, stretching everything and I can feel it going in to light spasm every now and then.
I've been to see someone specialising in sports massage when it first happened and was told it'd be fine within a couple of days if I stretched a lot.
Daft thing is today although it feels tight when I walk it doesn't if I do the classic foot flat on the floor and lean forward against something (like this - http://cyclinginfo.co.uk/blog/wp-conten ... tretch.jpg). I can feel the tightness if I bend the rear leg slightly and feel it more going downstairs than upstairs so it doesn't seem like a straightforward calf problem
I don't think this is bike setup related, I'm using the same pedals I've had for ages and although the bike is fairly new I've ridden it lots including some longer rides before this happened.
I'd really appreciate any responses, I'm getting really worries about my ability to train and am beginning to suspect this isn't just a normal tight muscle.
For the past month I've been off the bike, my problem has been with my calf muscles. 3 days after a hard 60 mile ride at the start of April my left Calf locked up, I've stretched it out a number of times and over a couple of weeks it kept getting better and then worsening because I played football - 10 minute kick about with friends, barely running only jogging. Couldn't help myself and I didn't think it'd be a problem, doh!
Since about 1.5 weeks ago I've been taking everything really easy, massaging my calf (with the back of my other knee) 3-4 times a day and stretching everything a lot. Everything felt ok but the tendons behind my knee felt a little tight, the calf muscles felt fine. Yesterday I rode 5 mins to the local shop and it felt ok but odd, then kicked a ball with a mate for another 5 mins which involved light jogging but again didn't feel any pain just strange. Today it's tight again, I've been massaging it a lot, stretching everything and I can feel it going in to light spasm every now and then.
I've been to see someone specialising in sports massage when it first happened and was told it'd be fine within a couple of days if I stretched a lot.
Daft thing is today although it feels tight when I walk it doesn't if I do the classic foot flat on the floor and lean forward against something (like this - http://cyclinginfo.co.uk/blog/wp-conten ... tretch.jpg). I can feel the tightness if I bend the rear leg slightly and feel it more going downstairs than upstairs so it doesn't seem like a straightforward calf problem
I don't think this is bike setup related, I'm using the same pedals I've had for ages and although the bike is fairly new I've ridden it lots including some longer rides before this happened.
I'd really appreciate any responses, I'm getting really worries about my ability to train and am beginning to suspect this isn't just a normal tight muscle.
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Comments
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Not remotely an expert, but I noticed that my calves cramped up when I changed bike position.
From what I remember, and I imagine i'll be corrected if I'm wrong - the further forward you sit, the more you use your calves and the front of your thighs. If you sit a lil further back you use more of your big thigh mucles and your arse.
I suggest you move your saddle back a bit (and your handlebars too...).0 -
I'm no expert, but from experience you may have strained your calf. You may not be resting for long enough. Depending on how bad it is you should rest from all exercise for 5-10 days. Continue to do your stretches and massages, and use an ice pack and get anti-inflammatory tables or lotion. If no better go and see a physio.CAAD9
Bianchi Infinito CV
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See a sports physio. If you have torn a part of the calf muscle no amount of stretching or massage will help it. It needs TIME to be able to heal. Gentle massage/exercise will help blood flow/healing but anything that makes it sore will make it worse!
The tight feeling behind the knee also might suggest a hamstring problem - hamstrings 'tie in' under the calf muscle as I recall - so you need to know what is wrong before treating it. See a physiotherapist.
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Thanks for all the responses, I'm going to see the sports massage guy again tomorrow but I think I may head to see a proper sports Physio as well to see if anything else is amiss.0
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Hi there SW, would agree with the above seeing a physio. The only thing to add is that there are a few areas higher up that can refer pain to the calf (piriformis tightness/restriction, back stiffness etc), so it may not be a calf problem, even if felt very locally and no pain elsewhere.
Best luck getting it sorted.
Yak0
