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Recommendations for a running assessment / evaluation

david waredavid ware
in General Training Discussions

I have been dealing with chronic bilateral calf issues for about 5 years now.  I don't think that I have run consistently more than about 4 months at anytime.  I have worked locally in St. Louis with 2 different orthopedists, 2 physiatrists, a podiatrist and multiple physical and massage therapists.  I seem to be able to treat the symptoms and get back to running but inevitably one or the other calf goes "wham."  I have had several suggested diagnoses fron just "chronic calf strains" to possible nerve root issues from the back, etc. Nothing definitive is ever found.  I have had PRP injections which did not provide lasting benefit.  I have had EMG and NCS studies which did show some bilateral slowing about the knees but nothing the doctor thought was relevant.  I have been doing self massage, stretches, strengthening, etc all without lasting relief.  I am really running out of ideas.  I have basically lost the last two seasons due to injury.

I know that Nemo went to the UVA running clinic and I have considered that.  I also read a blog by Lisbeth Kenyon http://ttbikefit.com/blog/?p=994 about the Performance lab in Connecticut run by AL Lyman.  If I am going to incur the cost of travel, which at this point I am more than willing to do, I want to make sure I go to the best facility.  I do not know if anyone can make a recommendation for me but I am open to suggestions on either of these or something else.  If anyone can help I would sure appreciate their advice.  Thanks in advance, Dave

Comments

  • dan_forbesdan_forbes

     what about something like compartment syndrome?  I don't know really, just throwing something out there, I had a friend who had it, or something like it and he had circulation problems when he ran.  Had some simple surgery with a couple snips of some muscles and it helped greatly.  Good luck man.

  • david waredavid ware
    Thanks Dan. That was also considered by the doctor that did the EMG and they ruled it out.
  • mattsullmattsull

    While probably not on the same level as the Performance Lab, I've had great success with Dr. Michael Chin in Chicago.

    http://www.therunninginstitute.com/

  • Linda PatchLinda Patch

    Hi David,

    I just went to Al's gait lab in CT last week. I am starting from SCRATCH. I mean starting from the bottom up, building my functional strength, which is bascially nil, to a place that can support this endeavor we do. I wrote all about it in My Rogue OS in the Jan OS group, if you want to join the group to read it. I was very pleased and impressed with what they did. I'm going back on Friday, in fact.

    Maybe you can hack together a solution for yourself. Their assessment and protocol is based on Functional Movement Systems. They have a map to find a practioner. I bet there's someone in your area. The key would then be to zero in on the person who focuses on running, is a runner--you know what I mean. If you started there, and got that assessment, and began rebuilding yourself as I am, I bet it might save you a trip to VA or CT and be solidly "close enough." You might not get the video analysis, etc., but I think that's OK.

    PM me if you want more info. I feel your distress. I'm not injured, but I sure can't hold up in the IM marathon.

     

     

     

     

  • Nemo BrauchNemo Brauch
    David- I really like Linda's recommendation. The reality here is that the initial analysis is only going to tell you what needs to be fixed. The hard work is actually doing the super boring stuff you've gotta do to fix it. I had the best results when I followed up my UVA Speed Lab visit with bi-weekly visits to a Phys Therapist. That kept me on track far better than me going to the gym to do this stuff on my own. Unfortunately I just don't have the facilities close by for that sort of thing near by anymore.
  • Scott AlexanderScott Alexander
    Thanks to Linda's link, I found the #1 spot in my area, Cooper Clinic (Kenneth Cooper, the "founder" of aerobics founded it). I'm calling them today to price it and set up the analysis for me.
  • Linda PatchLinda Patch

    @Scott--great!  Glad it will work out. Read below for my thoughts on moving past the initial go-rounds.

    Nemo is right too. I need to get a game plan and overall strategy for myself including a progression of what to do over time, and I'll do that at the gait lab. I see through my experience there, however, that walking away with a plan just isn't good enough--I also I need someone to help me over the longer term. Here is why. Doing these exercises 99% correctly is 100% wrong, in many cases. Take a simple bridge. I was not firing the muscles needed to sustain that move. Once they showed me how I was compensating, THEN I got it right. So simple...but not easy...world of difference.

    I could not get my insurance to agree to PT sessions b/c I am not injured--so much for prevention. It's why I went this route. I need to now figure out how to sustain this until I learn, and am sure, I'm doing the moves correctly. 2011 is Project Me. I have to get it right this time.

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