Leg pain (peroneus longus)

[Taffytravels]

Just came back from the worst run ever. Extreme pain in both lower legs, down the outside of the leg towards the ankle. Hurt more to walk than to run. I just looked it up and I think it's the peroneus longus tendon. I can't seem to find a stretch that alleviates this pain. Anyone else suffered this? And advice? It's so disheartening

[Tuffers Graduate]

Hiya,

I had a similar issue but my pain was on the inside of my legs. I stretched with lunges and heel drops standing on the stairs but like you have found, it didn't really help very much. I went and got fitted for some decent shoes and had a gait assessment to make sure there wasn't anything wrong with my technique too.

I found that it would be really painful right at the start of the running but would then ease off a bit (but not to the point I could forget about it) and then as soon as my cool down walk began, it would flare up again so I had to hobble back in a most ungainly fashion. It was disheartening like you say and almost brought me to tears after most runs.

I carried on regardless because I didn't want to go and see GP because they would probably tell me to rest and that would ruin all my hard work (weird logic I guess). I started icing it as soon as I got home and I think that did the most good out of everything I tried. Suddenly I only had the pain in my left leg and then after another fortnight of stretching and icing I hit week 9 of the program and my legs felt strong and I dont have any pain during running at all (apart from the normal fatigue).

Talking to my GP friend, it is quite common for these kinds of pains to stop quite suddenly.

I hope it helps to know you aren't alone but if it's really painful, you should probably go and see the doc and make sure you haven't done anything serious.

Oh and the expert at the running shop recommended Pilates to strengthen core and improve technique and reduce likelihood of injury.

I hope you feel better soon. What week of the program are you on?

[rundmc Graduate]

I used to get this quite badly in the early weeks and found the walking parts more painful than running, so was always relieved when Laura told me it was time to run again. I haven't changed anything but have noticed that since moving onto the no walking weeks I don't get the lower calf/ankle pain anymore. I don't know if it's because the regular running has strengthened everything up in that area over time and therefore those muscles/tendons/ligaments are now coping better with the exercise, but now about to start week 9 and haven't had a recurrence of that problem.

[Taffytravels]

Thanks for the replies. I did a 5k run on Wednesday and the pain at the beginning was horrendous. I stopped and started thumping the side of my leg and that was a slight relief.....I ended up walking (or should I say shuffling) the first 2k very slowly then the oain started to ease so I ran the last 3k with no problems. Got home, rested and then OMG the pain started again. I was hoping that I had pushed through the pain but until this morning it's been so painful. I've ordered one of those foam rollers and will do calf raises and I found a couple of streptches for that area. Hopefully as you say, my leg and ankle just needs strengthening and I just need to continue until my legs get used to it.

I've got high arches and have had the 'fit' done for my trainers so it shouldn't be the shoes being an issue. Glad I'm not the only one suffering :))