Mysterious shin pain

[albion]

True, reminds me it might have been a month of not cycling that caused my more noticeable shin stiffness.

A very bad cold early December meant I fell out of the habit until just a few days ago.

 

[Katherine]

Saw specialist again as pain constant even with strong anti inflammatories

Meniscus tear, steroid injection given, probably need surgery, banned from cycling

Bloody marvellous

Oh dear, I've just seen this. Hope you get some relief soon. Good luck.

 

[vickster]

Steroid jab a week ago, no real benefit. Just as well large needles don't bother me! Trying to get surgery booked for 5 February as want to get done sooner rather than later (want fixed, and is better for work)

Oh and I've got tendonitis in my hand...2 weeks rest and a wrist/hand support, physio if no better...kind of need two hands for the crutches!

 

[Katherine]

Hope the hand settles quickly.
You've got a date for the surgery. Good luck.

 

[vickster]

Arthroscopy is tomorrow morning, hoping it helps and I can be back on the bikes by Easter

 

[ColinJ]

Arthroscopy is tomorrow morning, hoping it helps and I can be back on the bikes by Easter

Good luck!

 

[vickster]

Good luck!

I don't have to do a lot yet fortunately, just sleep through it

 

[vickster]

Pretty sore at the moment, still hobbling around on crutches. Just had a shower, feel better for that for sure! Need to put the lovely compression stockings back on but here's the free leg. I did try to wash the arrow off!

 

[Pat "5mph"]

At least it's over and done with.
Speedy recovery!

 

[vickster]

Just a little update on this...

The knee pain itself seems to be better (other than I still can't kneel comfortably on either knee now, ah well) but I still have this ever present discomfort in my anterior shin below the knee The new cycling physio isn't sure what the issue is, not related to the knee but possibly a tendinopathy or compartment syndrome, so I'm back off to see the knee specialist on Saturday to see if he has any thoughts.

I do have very tight calf muscles and stiff ankles which might be to blame, I have exercises to do to try to relieve this. I also got a foam roller, but not being able to kneel makes it very difficult to use effectively, and the tendonitis in my right shoulder and trapped nerve in my left hand make it hard to support my weight while using the foam roller!

I've had my bike position (set up is fine) and pedalling assessed which is all ok. I don't activate my glutes adequately while riding and my core stability is lacking so again we've discussed how to work on this. I'm going to try some SPD-SL pedals/shoes to see if the stiffer soles relieve the foot pain I also get

I am managing to cycle 70+ miles a week but not especially comfortably...if one thing doesn't hurt at a given time, something else invariably does (probably not helped by my bizarre tumble off the bike last week)

All good fun

 

[jarlrmai]

If you want muscle release but are unable to use a foam roller effectively then you could try a sports massage therapist.

How are your quad muscles in terms of activation/tightness and your gluteus medius?

You sound like me in terms of your issues with regards to tight everything around the legs.

My biggest issue at the moment is getting a plan of restorative exercise I actually believe in, I have got lots of advice from people some of which contradicts other advice (stretch versus don't stretch, focus on muscles versus work on things a whole.)

So when I actually sit down to do my daily regime I'm not even sure if I'm doing the right things and even then I'm not sure if my form is correct when I do do them.

 

[vickster]

If you want muscle release but are unable to use a foam roller effectively then you could try a sports massage therapist.

How are your quad muscles in terms of activation/tightness and your gluteus medius?

You sound like me in terms of your issues with regards to tight everything around the legs.

My biggest issue at the moment is getting a plan of restorative exercise I actually believe in, I have got lots of advice from people some of which contradicts other advice (stretch versus don't stretch, focus on muscles versus work on things a whole.)

So when I actually sit down to do my daily regime I'm not even sure if I'm doing the right things and even then I'm not sure if my form is correct when I do do them.

I have a series of exercises, hopefully doing approximately correctly! Apparently, I don't cycle solely using my quads (they work fine, a bit tender but not as bad as the shin, similarly ITB) but I could use my glutes much more which should help my back as well

My biggest issue is a complete inability to squat with feet flat and to get knee over toes, which makes going down stairs hard. I have to force myself not to go down sideways!

The physio has tried muscle release but it left me with a lot of tenderness for days after (a week really) so it's not a good idea without knowing exactly what the issue is, hence the specialist. And it was extremely painful in that muscle which isn't normal apparently!

I sometimes think maybe a full hour of good sports massage would help but the pain concerns me!

I know what you mean, finding the right professional is tough. The cycling physio is only really concerned with things that affect cycling directly, so I'm now seeing someone else for the shoulder as it doesn't bother me so much cycling, as it's reaching behind not forwards that is the problem! I seem to spend my life in appointments! I expect Bupa will start screening my calls soon!

 

[vickster]

Well the specialist is certain that the shin pain is due to a bone spur on the rear of the fibula irritating the muscle this can in extremis be removed, however there is a pesky but important nerve that runs in the exact spot and there is a reasonable risk of nerve damage and resultant foot drop as well as a pretty big scar!
So conservative management with anti-inflammatories, hope it improves, try not to inflame further. The pain is more an uncomfortable annoyance than debilitating and unbearable so I'll live with it. He has suggested cycling with my foot further back on the pedal to alter the movement so I'll need to look at that.

 

[jarlrmai]

I would have thought an X-Ray should have shown that a while ago?

 

[vickster]

I would have thought an X-Ray should have shown that a while ago?

Yes it did, back in October, but it was deemed benign and the feeling was the pain then was more likely referred from the knee (the now trimmed torn meniscus)

I have an exostosis on the other fibula too, but not causing me much grief