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Lower calf pain 4 days from A race

joehilljoehill
in General Training Discussions

 Let me start by giving some history.   Took a bad fall on the bike last Saturday and my right hip took a really hard hit.  I have a major hematoma and still swollen.  The bruising is working its way down my leg.  I did no running or swimming until this past Sunday just some trainer rides.  Tried to get in my last long run on Sunday since I missed it on Thursday.  Felt pretty good during the run but after the area just below my calf started to hurt.  Had graston on it yesterday and tried a light jog tonight to know avail.  The hip hurts when I run from the jarring but the calf hurt just as much.

Using the roller and headed back for some more graston tomorrow but looking for any advice to get some relief to get through my HIM run on Saturday.  Probably wishful thinking but hoping it can get better so I can actually run the 13.1 miles!!!

Must admit that a crash and injuries have taken a lot of the excitement out of the upcoming race!!

Thanks,

Joe

 

Comments

  • Leigh BoyleLeigh Boyle

    I'm sure you've heard this already, but you've gotta heal. image

    As long as that hematoma is active and swollen you're going to favor it in some way because it wants to stiffen up. that means you're going to compensate with the calf, quad and hammie. Keep them loose leading up to the race with stretching/foam rolling and ice like crazy.

    Might not be a bad idea to get the leg fully dug out with massage in addition to the graston on the tendon itself.

  • joehilljoehill

     Leigh,

     

    Thanks so much for the advice.  I had an hour massage on just that leg today.  Ouch!!!! but by the time he was done,  he said he was able to increase the pressure by 10x so I guess that is good.  I am icing and stretching and headed back to the Chiropractor tomorrow for some final work and Kinesio taping!

    Hoping for the best on Saturday!!!

    Thanks again!!!

    Joe

     

  • Leigh BoyleLeigh Boyle

    Good luck! image

  • joehilljoehill

    Leigh,

    Thanks so much for your advice.  I survived my race and was able to run the entire 13.1 miles!!  I have a follow up question for you.  What should I do to reduce the size of the hematoma on my hip?  I have read some stuff that says that it might never go away completely without some type of surgical procedure.  It is still very noticeable and painful but I am trying to use the roller some and getting some light graston on it.

    Hoping to eliminate any potential problems down the road!

    Thanks,

    Joe

     

  • Leigh BoyleLeigh Boyle

    Hey Joe,

    I'm a huge fan of kinesiotape to help with swelling/hematoma reduction.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXZ7...re=related

    The video is for the ankle, but it will give you a visual of what I'm talking about. You'll need a roll of kinesio tape (rock, KT are the easiest to find in bike/run shops/store shelves, otherwise hit up amazon for a better selection).

    Essentially you'll cut two big pieces of tape (should be long enough to cover the whole hematoma) and then make the little tentacles. I shoot for five and leave the last 1-2 inches uncut. That end part is your anchor. You going to position those ends so that it will be a big X over your hip (each top part makes up the two tops of the x). From there spread out the tentacles. I add a very small amount of stretch to the middle part of the tentacle and then I lay the end down with zero stretch. Spread out all five and then criss cross the other strip in the same way to make the big X.

    That tape will stay on 3-4 days and should make a huge difference. Looks incredibly lame but definitely worth a shot.

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