Leg pain - not a medical advice thread :)

Khannie

I've already been to the doctor about this so I'm not looking for a diagnosis. I'm looking to see if this is something common to starting out cyclists that she may not be aware of.

So...I was walking to work there last week happy as the flowers in July and got a nasty, sharp pain in my leg. Had to stop walking. I hadn't been on the bike in 4 days but I've been doing about 150ish K a week for the last few weeks before that. Went away after I stopped. Totally grand walking around for the rest of the day. On the way home I was late for the train so I started jogging. Nice handy pace. Normally grand jogging. 5k would be no hassle at all to me like. Made it about 300m and this pain kicked in again. It was so bad this time that I had to stop for a good 10 minutes. Next day walking to the train, same crap again so I went straight to the doctor. She did all sorts of tests on me and concluded that it was a muscle tear. Now I hadn't done anything in 4 days so neither of us could figure out how it was torn if it was.

I've rested since. She gave me anti-inflammatories. Done some very handy spins with my 4 year old (like less effort than walking type pace). No problems. Yesterday I walked for 25 minutes no problem. Today I decided to test it out and went for a spin on the road bike. 200 metres in at a little more than walking effort and my leg was in tatters again. This time I noticed that it was in both legs though. Is this something common to starting out cycling?

Before anyone suggests it, this is not DOMS. I am intimately familiar with them.

**Timbuk2**

No, that doesn't sound right at all. Have you been increasing your distance fast every week? Even still, cycling is (for the most part) non-weight bearing and doesn't put as much stress on your muscles/joints as say, running, does.

Is it located in a specific place in your leg, or is it just a spasm of pain through your whole leg? Pain in or around the knees could be related to setup, but it is more common (I think) to present itself more gradually than sudden spasms. Is your bike fit correct? Do you use clipless pedals, and if so, are your cleats correctly aligned?

I would definitely see a doctor, maybe even a different one. Having said that, noticing it in both legs is nearly a better sign than noticing it in one leg only, as it might be a sign of a problem developing, as opposed to an underlying pre-existing problem.

Jawgap

This is not medical advice - it's an anecdote!

I suffered something similar on and off for a bit - a feeling like intense cramps in the quads, particularly down towards the knees and brought on when walking up stairs.

The first doctor hadn't a clue and referred me to a second guy who was a bit more knowledgeable on sporting matters - he suggested that it was due to shortening of the quad or another related muscle that was aggravating the quads. Anyway, rest and some deep tissue massage were prescribed.........and he also gave me a flea in my ear about stretching before and after spins, something I'd never really done, but do now.

Take from that what you will.....

flywheel

Khannie wrote: »

This time I noticed that it was in both legs though. Is this something common to starting out cycling?

hi, no pain shouldn't be a stage you have to get through...

i'd suggest seeing a specilist (if a doc has cleared you of other medical issues and is just giving you anti-inflam pills) - someone who understands biomechanics and will do a full assessment to identify the source of the issue

make sure to check your bike set-up with someone who knows about bike set-up, a proper personal bike fit is important to ensure you don't get injured or waste energy

ashleey

Look up itbs on google and then do stretches before any physical exercise particularly. Not medical advice, just sports.

Lemag

In my experience, physios tend to be much better than GPs at diagnosing muscle/ligament injuries. My physio has particular experience with sports related injuries. An MRI might be the only definitive way of finding out, however. AFAIK, you can get one done privately without a needing a letter of recommendation for about €300.

Khannie

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

No, that doesn't sound right at all. Have you been increasing your distance fast every week?

I hit around 240K per week at one point. That's up from zero in March (I think). I was starting out fit enough though, though not cycling fit - I am a Muay Thai fighter by night, it's a totally different kind of fitness.

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

Is it located in a specific place in your leg, or is it just a spasm of pain through your whole leg?

It's in the quad muscle. Last week when I went to the doc it was on my left leg, right side, above the knee. There was a small, slightly hard section. That is now gone. I have the same pain further up the muscle on the left side (it has moved down slightly over the past few days).

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

Is your bike fit correct? Do you use clipless pedals, and if so, are your cleats correctly aligned?

I do use clipless pedals. I have no idea if my cleats are correctly aligned. My setup is probably not spot on, but it's not a million miles off either.

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

I would definitely see a doctor, maybe even a different one. Having said that, noticing it in both legs is nearly a better sign than noticing it in one leg only, as it might be a sign of a problem developing, as opposed to an underlying pre-existing problem.

Might get a second opinion if it persists alright. Thanks for your post.

Khannie

Jawgap wrote: »

This is not medical advice - it's an anecdote!

I suffered something similar on and off for a bit - a feeling like intense cramps in the quads, particularly down towards the knees and brought on when walking up stairs.

The first doctor hadn't a clue and referred me to a second guy who was a bit more knowledgeable on sporting matters - he suggested that it was due to shortening of the quad or another related muscle that was aggravating the quads. Anyway, rest and some deep tissue massage were prescribed.........and he also gave me a flea in my ear about stretching before and after spins, something I'd never really done, but do now.

Take from that what you will.....

Ok, your anecdote sounds similar enough. I may check with a physio. I plan on doing some foam rolling anyway. I am going fairly loopy at this point. 2 weeks tomorrow that I have done basically zero exercise.

Lemag wrote: »

In my experience, physios tend to be much better than GPs at diagnosing muscle/ligament injuries. My physio has particular experience with sports related injuries. An MRI might be the only definitive way of finding out, however. AFAIK, you can get one done privately without a needing a letter of recommendation for about €300.

The weird thing was I didn't feel like I was injured. I still don't. I know that sounds odd when I had to stop walking from pain. I can squat no bother though. A trip to the physio sounds like it's in order as you say. It seems like others may have experienced similar things, but it's definitely not a common thing (which is what I was trying to determine).