Should I be worried?

[*Floater*]

I did 15 dives between Jan 5-11 using jetfins that were still relatively new to me. My foot had hurt a little bit because of fit and strap-tightness problems, but I sorted it out later on by stretching my spring straps. I was practicing the different kicks during that time - especially towards then end (dir-f), and my calfs started to feel sore towards the last few days. They felt sore when I woke up and walking was initially painful, but after walking a bit they were okay again and I had not problems while diving. When I left the resort I sat in a boat and car about 5 hours, which for me seems to increase sorness (muscles lock up).

I then spent a day and a half at my parents house and both calves remained sore which wasn't unexpected - I was limping a little bit. On Jan 13th I traveled back to the States, which involved about 24hours of sitting in the plane and in various other vehicles. I did of course walk around the plane every so often and I mussaged my calves a little bit, but I could tell that they were getting more sore and I was limping a little bit.

When I got back home I became sick with the flu - my immune system is often compromised on long flights and during climate change - but moreover my calves were killing me. In the next 3-4 days my left calf recovered and it's fine now, but my right calf and the surrounding muscles are still sore as if from a tough workout. When I massage the muscles they feel sore in just that way even though it has been a week and a half now already.

Some history: Several years ago I worked out my legs and calves a day before one of those 24h flights (no diving at the time). Afterwards my calves were killing me to the point that I couldn't walk for several days and had to stay in bed. At that time the soreness/pain was greater than right now, but I think I recovered within a week (don't remember the exact details). I do experience generally soreness from good workouts, but not to that level - the flight/sitting definately did something to me.

Back to present: My left calf has now been sore and stiff even longer, and it's painful to walk, which is one reason I've been sitting (albeit legs stretched) around my computer so much lately and posting here. I'm just getting a lttle worried now... Why is it taking so long to heal? Why is flying and sitting bad for my calves? How long should a muscle group take to recover at the most?

This may not qualify as diving medcine topic, but I'd like to know if this has happened to anyone else and your thoughts in general. Also any suggestions - stretching, light workouts, or just rest?

 

[LAJim]

You don't have a DVT blood clot in your leg do you? These can be brought on by long flights. Is there or has there been a lump on your ankle or calf? Is there tenderness up your leg into your groin? A clot would not normally be caused by diving but it formed on the long flight home you might associate the curent problems with the diving. If you get any indication of a DVT clot you will want to be evaluated by your physician very quickly. They can image a clot using ultrasound. Treatment is a week of horizontal rest plus blood thinners. If a clot breaks loose the result is a pulminary embolism.

I had two bouts of this after major surgery last year and what you are describing is a fair bit like what I had, except I had a pronounced lump the first time - not the second and much worse time though.

Let us know what you find.

Jim

 

[DandyDon]

I've experienced both - sore leg muscles from using them in ways I was not accustomed to - which is irritating, and DVT - which is life threatening.

Call DAN and rule out the DVT. If that is ruled out, aspirin or iduprofen and Bengay.

If DVT is suspected, go to Emergency Room.

 

[*Floater*]

No bumps or pain above the knee area. Just sore muscles and a painful tension in the leg when I walk, stand or even sit with my feet down on the ground. If I push my left-foot toes up towards my face then I feel mild pain the calf/shin area whereas the same stretch with the other foot causes no discomfort.

 

[DandyDon]

No bumps or pain above the knee area. Just sore muscles and a painful tension in the leg when I walk, stand or even sit with my feet down on the ground. If I push my left-foot toes up towards my face then I feel mild pain the calf/shin area whereas the same stretch with the other foot causes no discomfort.

I think it's just sore muscles, but call DAN ASAP to rule out DVT.

 

[*Floater*]

I called DAN and the person I talked with just said that I should see a doctor, but that it's probably nothing serious. DVT would not be typical, but could not be ruled out entirely...

 

[Cacia]

I am not a physician, but I would think since it began bilaterally, maybe not a DVT. I looked for your age..... Intermittent claudication (I think that is the term) could have contributed to the soreness. I assume you are relatively young if you are a grad student. Hmm, its been long enough, maybe you should run it by a doctor.

I am a believer in aspirin (low dose) especially when flying, etc. It sounds like dorsiflexion is causing pain. That could be a sign of a DVT, if I remember right. Maybe hold off on the massage until you get this ruled out. Feel better and don't forget to post your outcome if it is enlightening for others.

On the fin note, my Cressi free-diving fins (looooong) do something similar to me for a day or two if I wear them too long.

 

[CameronMartz]

Before you get too excited, calves are absolutely the worst if you overwork them. Your experience is not unusual at all for someone who hasn't done any calf work that all of a sudden pushes their limits.

Also, if you really think you might have a DVT, you should go to the ER right away, and I'm surprised DAN didn't specifically say that (maybe because they doubt that's what it is). You don't want to just walk around and wait for an appointment. The problem is that they can break loose and cause pulmonary embolisms or worse. In the meantime, damage is being done in the leg from the blocked circulation.

My guess is that this is just your calves getting back at you for being mean to them, but nobody can diagnose something like this over the internet. <g>

Cameron

 

[CameronMartz]

Just remembered a client from my early days as a personal trainer. A high school football player came to me during the off-season for some additional conditioning, and he really hit the calf raises hard on our first session. I mean, this kid was a monster (6'2", 235# high school sophomore), intent on showing no pain.

He didn't show for his second appointment, so I called his home. No answer. The next day, his mother called me and said that her son had missed 4 days of school because he couldn't walk. In fact, he had just walked to the bathroom for the first time that day- he'd been crawling from bed to bathroom for 4 days.

Of course, I'm now thinking she's going to start talking about lawsuits and such, but she says, "I don't know what you did to him, but that's exactly what he needs. Can I bring you a check?"

Cameron

 

[TSandM]

Although the history of the pain preceding the flights would be somewhat reassuring, it is still possible to develop a DVT in a leg which was sore for another reason. Given your recent long travel history, it would be quite reasonable to proceed to an ER for an evaluation. Sore calves from exercise are not life-threatening, but DVT can be, and there is no way anybody can tell you if you have one from an internet examination.