Calf Pain ??

[Snaquebite]

To prelude my question, I do not do much running if any. Knees back and ankles can't take the impact anymore. I do cycle some and speed walk for aerobics.

Problem: For the past month or so I haven't been able to do hardly any aerobics. Even a after a short walk my left calf starts to ache, then a burning sensation similiar to a lactate burn in the muscle sets in. A short rest and it's gone but will resume after a short distance......

OK Docs...whats the diagnosis?

[PedOncoDoc]

To prelude my question, I do not do much running if any. Knees back and ankles can't take the impact anymore. I do cycle some and speed walk for aerobics.

Problem: For the past month or so I haven't been able to do hardly any aerobics. Even a after a short walk my left calf starts to ache, then a burning sensation similiar to a lactate burn in the muscle sets in. A short rest and it's gone but will resume after a short distance......

OK Docs...whats the diagnosis?

It sounds like claudication - pain typically due to peripheral blood vessel disease/insufficiency. You should get this checked out by a phyisican, properly diagnosed and managed. Sooner rather than later, as there may be blood vessel disease in other places that can lead to sudden and serious problems.

My $.02....HTH

[Saoirse]

SB, I hope you feel better! I am sure the doctor will get you back up and "running" so to speak! :)

[longrange1947]

You're getting OLD! :p :D

[Snaquebite]

Heading to the Doc tomorrow,

Rick....F/U

[longrange1947]

Well thank you George!! :)

I have an appointment tomorrow morning as well. I too am getting older. :D

[wet dog]

Theres a new arobics trainer arriving soon to your area.

[Penn]

SB, I recently had a by-pass on my left femoral artery for exactly what the good Doctor described. It started with a muscle ache which I ignored for the better part of a year, until I could no longer walk 100ft without serious pain/cramping.

The process is your Dr. will exam you and should send you to a "board certified" vascular surgeon. Who will most likely order a Cat-the procedure were they examine your vascular system internally with a camera. Once that was completed, the process over the next year leading up to the surgery was as follows: Exam and full body blood pressure test with pressure sensors spaced every few inches on limbs, Ultra sound on carotid artery, nuclear MRI from the neck down, and separate scan of just the calcified artery in my left leg.

Surgery procedure four weeks ago, the recovery has been challenging, due in no small part to my disdain for pain meds once home. You will differently need them in the hospital. My Doctors had me up and walking the next day. It’s the best way to recover from major surgery. My leg felt the unrestricted blood flow immediately. Since the surgery and with the triple by-pass two years ago, I feel incredible, back to my normal sleep pattern of 5-6 solid hrs, and on the go for 12-14hrs.

Additionally, due to prepping for the surgery; my DR wanted me to be on the bike for six months prior, in order to develop and firm up my leg muscles, a mind boggling boring routine to say the least; but in the process, I changed my lifestyle, by combining the routine with a vegetable & fruit based diet and augmenting it with 12oz of protein per week. To date, I’ve lost 37lbs I am never hungry, I eat really healthy food all day long, and there’s very little prep time involved. What is cooked is all combined in salad type dishes-easy no brainer execution and assembly.

I also have been consuming 2-3K of vitamin C per day, my two incisions(abdomen and inside left knee) are healing extremely well, though I have experienced lots of swelling and continuous clear liquid leakage.

[PedOncoDoc]

Everyone's experience and process is different - I typically try to have people go into a process like this without expectations. Vascular surgery referral and cathetherization to assess blood vessels vs. Cardiac MRI and MRA/MRV depending on where you go would be considered a fairly standard workup. Assessing the extent of vascular disease is key - they need to also assess the blood vessels feeding the heart; if you're having vessel disease in one place, disease in another place is almost expected.

Of course, my training in adult medical issues is a bit dated and removed. But...I feel it better to be a generalist first and specialist second. YMMV...

[NoRoadtrippin]

You're getting OLD! :p :D

A very technical Dx, that one.

[Snaquebite]

Thanks for the replies...(even yours Rick)....Doc is setting up some referrals for me.

[longrange1947]

Seriously George, they did rule out phlebitis with thrombus right?

That is normally a constant pain with increase on pulling toe towards shin. But is worth ruling out.

Just curious as I did give you a hard time. :)

[craigepo]

My spousal unit states that they will also check ABI(ankle brachial index). This is a comparison of your brachial blood pressure and ankle blood pressure. Also ask about a baby aspirin per day.

On a related note, my spousal unit further states that all of us old guys need to be on fish oil and red wine(some BS about cholesterol/plaque).

[Boomer-61]

"Knees back and ankles can't take the impact anymore"

I agree that this sounds clauditory in nature but I think you should not rule out neurogenic claudication. If your back is beat up from years of pounding it's a good bet that your discs are less volumous than they use to be. With that in mind the openings where the nerves leave the spinal column may be compromised. It would take a plain X-ray to discern the need for a mylogram. If the X-ray reveals degenerative disc disease it's likely you have issues with the foramen (openings where the nerves leave the spine). A mylogram would sort that out. It would take a trip to a good ortho man or spine specialist to help you sort this out.
Please keep us posted.
Best of luck.
Boomer