help with swollen calf

[MHMcHH #2]

I have a client that is a professional cyclist and trains a lot.
He has had knee problems (ligaments) with both knees and had them both operated on.
One of his calfs gets stiff and kind of swollen and I can't figure out why.
The problem has happened before and got better on its own in the past. Recently the problem started again and when he stopped using one of his bikes it got better, just to get worse again when he wen't back to the usage of that bike, whick is a specific training bike.
The most obvious thing to consider is the use of this specific bike, but I am wondering if anyone has other sugestions or experience with people having swelling due to fascial constrictions. Could fascial constriction on the area or elsewhere have this kind of effect on the calf?
thanks

 

[Pompal 09.]

Stiff like how? Hard to the touch? or stiff for him to move? If it feels hard and stiff/swollen, he needs to be evaluated by a doc right away, could be mild compartment syndrome, which is bad news and dangerous. This condition is C/I for massage when inflamed, is aggravated by use, and is often progressive. When he sees you for massage, if he is in an inflamatory state, his leg needs to be elevated, and you may consider using ice or cold compress. Work the thighs well to increase venous and lymphatic drainage.

If it is compartment syndrome, and it is mild, you may be able to use x-fiber friction and MFR when sub-acute or chronic to give him some relief and help the area be less reactive to activity. Watch pain tolerance, particularly if he has any loss of sensation, since feedback can be less than helpful with this issue.

S

 

[parijatha]

I just read about the compartment syndrome, and if it is that it seems to me it would be the chronic type, since it has happened in the past (a couple of years ago) and got better on its own. He saw a doctor when that happened before and he said not to worry, but I don't think it is something not to be looked at.
The leg doesn't get stiff that prevents movement, it just feels like the tissue of someone that is doing a lot of weights. The other leg doesn't feel like that. The swelling subsides with rest and elevation. There is no heat or pain per se, just discomfort. Any other signs to indicate inflamation?
The work I do is mainly cross-fiber and today I did gentle myofascial release. When he is prone and I work on the calf with the knee flexed the calf "softens up". I can do a bit of trager work and the muscle seems to be "movable", flexible, jello kind move from side to side. But when the leg is straight the calf is tight again.
Just as a PS, his hamstrings are tight and the IT band and tensor FL is very tight.

 

[Prince of Persia]

sounds like you're on the right track. If his upper leg is very tight, that could be aggravating the condition, which may be why there has been a reoccurence. Possibly some MFR and deep tissue on the hamstrings and quads would be beneficial.

If there is no pain, there may be some loss of sensation due to the inflammation, so it may not be a good idea to use pain as an indicator of degree of inflammation.

Perhaps work on the achilles and the feet would be helpful also? And yes, a re-evaluation from the doc would probably still be a good idea, since compartment syndrome can be progressive.

 

[Kami y]

Either way, something is effecting his training in a negative way. He definitely needs to go to a Sports Medicine doctor or an Orthopedist specializing in Sports Medicine. He should also look and see if their are any trainers in the area that can pinpoint why that specific bike is having the effect on him the way it is.