Any walking-related calf-strain experience out there?

[CBDB]

I walked and stood all day yesterday for a city ceremonial event, and it left me yet again with a calf-strainy feeling in my right leg.

This morning then, I limped for 30 minutes slowly, with hubby, to the poll station, jealously watching a runner use the election as a route destination for his morning run! It is really annoying, as I never get a calf strain from running, but standing and walking too fast … voila… and I find myself on the injury couch again.

Something about the movement of my legs, different to running, is happening here, resulting now in the 3rd or 4th calf strain from walking I’ve had in the last 4 years. So once per year, in the average. Hm! Not sure that’s good or bad.

My thinking is that I will see either a podiatrist (search for better walking shoes) or/and a sports physiotherapist (understanding what’s happening and exercises for strengthening).

But have any of my fellow walkers been in this situation? Where you encounter reoccurring calf strains from walking?

And how have you resolved this?

[apatsyf]

Not exactly, but I have been away on holiday and not run for nearly 2 1/2 weeks. Did a LOT of hiking and walking. Went for jog yesterday and felt sore most of the time in my calves. Interesting!

[CBDB Administrator in reply to apatsyf]

Oh dear! Take care of those legs! I’m still pampering mine!

[Doris8 1000miles per year]

Oh no. Can’t say I’ve had a calf strain . Mr D has with running , he used a calf support and a special insole in shoe. I would see a sports physiotherapist, the one I went to put me on the treadmill to see how I walked or jogged, but hopefully you can recover which ever route you go down. 🤗

[CBDB Administrator in reply to Doris8]

Yes, I wear calf compression sleeves now for runs most times but always when I know I need to walk for long distances.

But I have been thinking of looking at different shoes or insoles… therefore the podiatrist idea. But sports physio would also let me know if I need special insoles, I assume?

[Doris8 1000miles per year]

I think so, if he has treadmill he could look at your gait.

[MissUnderstanding]

I’d see a physio, but I’m biased because my physio is brilliant! The practice I visit has allied professional including dieticians, podiatrists, sports psychologists, orthotics etc so if you need any of those involved, it’s an easy referral. Perhaps it’s worth looking for a similar set up where you are.

You’re rowing and building runs uo at the moment as well, so maybe they can look at how all your exercise might have contributed to the calf issue and whether there are any adjustments to be made. Hopefully it’s new exercises and new shoes. I think you’re absolutely right to try and get to the bottom of this with the help of a pro. Good luck!

[CBDB Administrator in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Yes, thank you. The setup you describe would be great. It’s a bit more a fragmented picture where I am, so I’ll have to navigate that one. I’ve been before to a physio, but never to a podiatrist, so that would be quite new for me. Will have to make up my mind soon, just very busy at work.

Thank you.

[Gthants in reply to CBDB]

This was my thought as well. Clearly the combination of walking/standing could easily be an issue - as for example when I ran and went for coffee for an hour and then went home and changed; I ached for days afterwards as I'd not warmed down. A long walk is akin to a decent run and may require to be treated as such with a warm down, maybe?

But you do lots of other exercising - especially rowing - and that affect cannot be discounted. An MOT from an expert seems like a great idea.

(And I truly envy MissUnderstanding that local health set up!

[MissUnderstanding in reply to Gthants]

Thank you- I am lucky! This is a private place…was totally worth it though. I think even without on site colleagues, many physios will have people can recommend if it’s outside their specialism. They should be able to tell you at least what kind of professional you’re looking for if it’s not them! Sports ones seems to be used to us athletes (!!) breaking a bit in all sorts of different ways!!

[ToothPickJafah 500miles per year]

Hope you feel better soon! 💜

[Walkinglad]

I find that walking briskly on hard surfaces like tarmac gives me shin splints, which ease off after a rest. We’re lucky to have lots of footpaths across the fields which makes it much better.

[CBDB Administrator in reply to Walkinglad]

Orgh, that doesn’t sound good. Luckily I’ve never experienced shin splints, just calf strains. And going across field footpaths sounds good any day. 😃

Do different shoes make a difference?

[Walkinglad in reply to CBDB]

it doesn’t seem to make a difference but it is getting better now.