recurring calf injury / varicose vein

Hi all,

I've just joined and been looking through the forums on calves and varicose veins. Loads of stuff.

I ran a lot in my 30's and 40's : marathons , halves, 10 ks  etc...

In my 50's the recurrring calf pulls started and bit  by bit I stopped running. Every year (normally after the London's on the TV) I vow to start again: new shoes, new training schedule, the lot.

Yet again the old calf pull / strain comes back.....2 k is all I can manage before it goes.

I can cycle without probs and my general fitness is good. I do all the usual things : exercises, warm ups and downs etc.

 I have a large varicose vein snaking over this calf....it causes no probs and no pain. Don't look pretty but at 60 yoa  who cares .

COULD this be the cause of my recurring prob, and if so what can I do?

Hi Parobbo,

I've just read your post and just wondered if you have an update or further thoughts. My age and recent history similar to yours and am wondering if my varicose vein is connected to frequent seemingly minor calf pulls which don't sem to heal despite rest/physio/ice/stretching etc. is it worth getting it stripped? 

Well I had the vein done last autumn. Leg is generally fine after op but it has made no difference to the muscle pulls.

Looks like it's cycling for me from now on.

In my opinion if your vein is causing you no other problems , don't get it stripped. It's not a difficult op but the recovery time can take ages. Guess you need to speak to your Dr.

Sorry can't be more help, I still miss the running but guess i'll just have to live with it.

Thanks that's very useful. Cycling may be the way forward for me to but I'm not giving up on running just yet.

Best of luck,

Hugh

have you considered compression guards....  or compression socks.  These help triathletes combat cramping and muscle tears.  Something like these (link to a site) 

Thanks, that seems a terrific idea. I'll try them for comeback number 27! 

Tried them

Didn't work for me .....

Wear them anyway, just to avoid anything getting worse

#

Oh well, I've ordered them now (birthday present!). I'll let you know how I get on.