Vastus lateralis cramps

[Schoems]

Hi, I'm a 40 year old male and have been struggling badly with cramping in my vastus lateralis (mainly left leg) for 2.5 years. It has got so bad that I can't even spin anymore, let alone go for a cycle. Even at a medium pace walk on the treadmill the spasms occur.

 

A bit of background:

3 and a bit years ago, had a PCL reconstruction in right knee, old rugby injury. They harvested the hamstring tendon from the left leg. After having done all the biokonetics and physio exercises and rehab, I slowly started cycling on a stationery bike. I later started spinning. And when I upped the intensity, the spasms started. Initially it was so bad that I couldn't leave my house for two weeks. Everytime I loved it spasmed, but it was spasming even in hammies, calves, VMO, glutes, lower back, upper back, like everywhere. Systemic cramping. I went for every blood test under the sun, did a Doppler too to ensure there was no DVT. Went for needling and physio. It never ever fully recovered from then onwards. And for 2.5 years I have felt my activity getting less and less as it gets more frequent. However, I no longer spam that I can't leave the house, but when I spasm it takes a long time to settle. It mostly cramps in my left vastus lateralis.

 

The pain i feel in my leg, is like a constant discomfort like a lactic acid build up. It feels like it could spasm any minute. It gets worse in the seated position, which makes cycling even more of a no no. Sometimes I describe the discomfort like the muscle never ever fully let's go. Like it is always at least 15% tensed. I have even gone as far as getting ultra sounds of the quads done which turned up as a few micro tears but no more than the average man in the street. I went for MRI of both the lumbar and the thoracic spine and although there is wear and tear from my rugby days, the nerves are not impinged with no stenosis.

 

Does anyone else have any suggestions or been through now a similar thing? I was wven wondering if I had a form of upper leg compartment syndrome. I mean not actual compartment syndrome but somehow my blood supply may be getting cut off or limited when under training conditions or due to posture? My Chiro has helped a lot and doing his own investigations, but he said there could be a possibility of the linguine (think that was the name but could be wrong) ligament in the hip area either cutting off the artery or the femoral nerve or both.

 

I look forward to some thoughts or suggestions.

 

Yours in cycling (hopefully soon)

 

Greg

[V12man]

You could have impingement on an artery - google cyclist iliac syndrome and compare the symptoms to yours - if they match then pm me and I will refer you to someone to have it checked. I have posted links before and there are some threads on the subject if you search.

 

You could also try taking magnesium tabs daily just in case you do have cramps - that usually improves things

[milky4130]

I'm 35, I did the same operation, last year July, also from an old soccer injury (8years ago), just my PCL was left knee & tendon was also from left hamstring. I've also done the rehab with physio. And up to today still doing bio work. However I've never experienced your symptoms, I've even gotten back into racing already, did a couple of endurance rides & races from Jan through to May. I've done 2x100 miler MTB races & also completed the 36one MTB race. I must admit that on the 36one I think I ran out of endurance & there was just too many climbs That During the race I started feeling pain in my right leg (non-operated leg). I immediately put This down to over compensating with the stronger leg. Stayed off the bike for a couple days which did the trick, just resting the leg. I reckon this could possibly be your problem as well. After you've taken V12's Advise & you can't relate to those symptoms, Then my recommendation would Be one-leg intervals i.e. Teach the operated leg to pedal again. In my mind the brain was still protecting the operated leg hence I was involuntarily pedaling with my stronger-non-operated leg most of the time. Even though both legs were clipped in & both were pedaling all the time, the right leg was still applying more force & power than the operated leg. The one leg intervals will fix the imbalance & let your brain know it's ok to use that leg to pedal again. I'm now able to do power intervals on the WattBikes without the discomfort I felt in my right leg during that 360ne race.

 

Let us know how it goes with the road to recovery & finding the cause to your pain.