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I Ve Been An Avid Runner For About 25 Years,
Question: I've been an avid runner for about 25 years, even running 4 marathons back in the 1990's thru 2002. The past couple of years, however, my mileage has had to downsize dramatically due to my schedule, but more so because of nagging injuries. The past several months, every time I get into a good rythym of running and start to slowly build my miles up to the 5 or 6 mile length, I get an injury in one of my calves. Generally it's a small area toward the lower part of the calf. I have to wait a few weeks before trying to run again, and have to start from scratch. The calf injuries bounce back and forth from the left calf to the right calf, but they're always the same --- a sudden sharp pain in an isolated area of the mid to lower calf.....feels like a charlie-horse (but it's not a charlie-horse, however the pain is similar). What could be causing this?.....and what can I do to treat it and prevent it?
Brief Answer:
Repeated muscle injuries or loss of stamina need micronutrients replacement
Detailed Answer:
Hi!
Welcome to 'Ask A Doctor' service.
Thanks for sharing your concerns with us. We will try to help you in the best way possible.
First of all, it's sad to know what you had been going through lately.
Based on the history you have shared, since you are experiencing sudden decline in stamina or related muscle injuries or spasms, you need to have detailed neurological examination for motor system of lower limbs as well as serum electrolytes levels and micronutrients deficiencies should also be ruled out with levels of calcium, vitamin D3, B12, and folic acid and replacement may be needed where necessary.
Also, serum potassium levels and magnesium levels should be kept in check. If these are unremarkable endocrine causes like thyroid profile and sugar levels monitoring may be needed.
Meanwhile, OTC analgesics like Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen can be helpful for symptomatic relief.
Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Regards
Repeated muscle injuries or loss of stamina need micronutrients replacement
Detailed Answer:
Hi!
Welcome to 'Ask A Doctor' service.
Thanks for sharing your concerns with us. We will try to help you in the best way possible.
First of all, it's sad to know what you had been going through lately.
Based on the history you have shared, since you are experiencing sudden decline in stamina or related muscle injuries or spasms, you need to have detailed neurological examination for motor system of lower limbs as well as serum electrolytes levels and micronutrients deficiencies should also be ruled out with levels of calcium, vitamin D3, B12, and folic acid and replacement may be needed where necessary.
Also, serum potassium levels and magnesium levels should be kept in check. If these are unremarkable endocrine causes like thyroid profile and sugar levels monitoring may be needed.
Meanwhile, OTC analgesics like Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen can be helpful for symptomatic relief.
Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Regards
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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