Walking pain

[willsie01]

I have a problem where after a walk of about 40 minutes, a couple of miles or so, pain in my leg/glute has built up to a level where I have to stop. Pain subsides on resting. Is this a very common issue? What would be coping strategies? I’ve just seen a technique where you exercise at 80% of the time that brings on the pain, for a week or two then increase the time by 10% - 20% at a time to build up fitness. How does this sound as an approach?

[Barbola]

U dont say how old u are.......both legs? Drink enough water? I am 82, walked miles every day all my life suddenly leg and back pain due to sciatica from pinched nerve in lumbar spine and arthritis, stenosis. Do stretches every day, phys therapy 3x week and some days can walk 30 min till pain sets in some days only 10 min. It sucks. But your situation seems different unless u are old like me! See a sport doctor for a consult. Good luck!

[willsie01 in reply to Barbola]

71 yrs. Both legs one before the other. I have spinal stenosis but not enough to cause the problems I have according to everyone I see. Seen experienced sports physio who treats GB Olympic team. Do Pilates. Have led a very sedentary life until I retired in April. Long hours in office sitting at computer all day. Had the problem for over 10 years.

[Barbola in reply to willsie01]

Wow, read ur profile....u went thru a lot. My boyfriend is 76 had triple bypass two yr ago....walks daily 2 to 3 miles uphill, works out with weights. New life after bypass, even tho he had no signs of heart problm everything was 99 percent blocked. And here i am, stenosis etc. Had sciatica attacks so bad, emergency rm morphine... had epidural steroid inject couple mos ago helped to heal nerve.....cant stand sitting around. Got myself a tiny folding chair to carry with me walking bc when i walk, rest a minute sitting, i can walk again. Getting old is not for sissies! Admire your strength! The stupid spinal stenosis stinks.....was told by a young doctor im to old to operate spine, too risky, and anyway, „you manage well“.....take no meds....betablocker made me tired.....have afib but take no bloodthinners bc have it most of my life. Once i started seein doctors i became a wuss! Tramadol 50 mg only when needed. So thats a long story. Hang in ghere, wish i was 71 again!

[FRreedman]

How about if you stop after 30/35 minutes, have a rest and then carry on.

[willsie01 in reply to FRreedman]

Coincidentally, your suggestion is similar to one I’ve just come across Called “pacing”. The idea is you walk, say, 80% of the distance you can manage before onset of pain for a week or so. Then gradually increase the shortened distance 10 - 20 % for a similar period. Idea is to try and increase maximum distance over time.

N.B. This is only supposed to work, I believe, if the manifestation of pain is out of proportion to the physical tissue damage to the person.

[cyberbarn]

Have you seen a podiatrist? They are the experts in everything from the knee down, but feet problems can manifest further up the chain in the knees and hips. I know when I had foot problems it was affecting my hips quite a lot. Just an idea in case you hadn't thought of that.

[willsie01 in reply to cyberbarn]

I haven’t thought of seeing a podiatrist. It does sound like a good idea. Friends of my wife. Nurses. Swear by getting made to measure shoes (trainers probably) from a local shop, who I think are part of a national chain. Because they are in their feet for lengthy periods. Have been thinking of doing that. But probably podiatrist first? Would you agree?

[cyberbarn]

Yes, see if you can see a podiatrist first. If you can't get to see one, then yes, try that local shop.

I was having pain in what I thought was all the way down my leg, but it turned out to be all the way up. Proper insoles stopped it immediately!