okay im officially injured

[endpoint]

I don't quite understand what happened, as it wasn't a standard injury.
I had just finished doing some pulls and back squats....just a normal Wednesday.
I sat down and had my dinner, then went to go send some emails.

I ended up on the computer for about 30mins. I stood up and then WHAM. my left vastus medialis contracted REALLLLL hard.
It was a cramp....but a bad cramp. It pulled tighter and tighter, my kneecap started slipping (never came out though) and my leg hyper extended.
for 10mins it slowly got tighter and tighter. We couldn't massage the muscle...it was like trying to kneed a brick wall, i thought the muscle or tendon was going to rip (it may have actually done that). blood started pooling in the muscle, and it turned blue, then purple... by this time the kettle had finished boiling and my sister filled up a hot water bottle. This brought almost instant relief.

the muscle was still cramped but not as tight. my leg returned to a more natural straight position. The blood started leaving the area. I could finally hobble to a comfortable position. It took another 30-40mins of massage, heat bottle and heat rubs to get back to normal relaxed state (with limited range of movement).

It has been 48 hours. I still have pain in the area, but I can walk......but it feels like I have been beaten with a steel rod. Bruising and swelling has almost gone.

but I haven't been to a physio/doctor/massage therapist yet. but needless to say i wont be training tonight or tommorow.

anyone have similar experiences?

 

[spatts]

Wow...I was waiting for the pea soup part.

If your muscle worked that hard in the gym, you'd be sore for days, for sure! I'd get it checked out just to rule out any tears, etc, but I would say the soreness is to be expected. Maybe you should do that on the right so the left doesn't end up bigger?

 

[Zander1983]

I tend to cramp in my calves. Mainly at the end of tough soccer games.

 

[coolcolj]

you should have stretched it straight away, as soon as the cramp kicked in. Before the real damage was done. I get them sometimes. especially in my abs after leg raises. Mineral imbalances or something after a workout

I quickly stretch it before it gets bad, and then it's OK.

 

[IronLion]

I have never had a real muscle cramp...kina weird.

Endpoint, have you changed anything in your diet? I know you have probably thought of this but hey who knows.

 

[endpoint]

you should have stretched it straight away, as soon as the cramp kicked in. Before the real damage was done. I get them sometimes. especially in my abs after leg raises. Mineral imbalances or something after a workout

I quickly stretch it before it gets bad, and then it's OK.

I dont think you understand how severe and quick it was.
I have had cramps before......but this was a CRAMP. i have never heard or seen anything like this

There was no way we could have bent my leg. The tension was so strong. I would have damaged something and made it even worse if i did manage to move it. the lower half of my leg was comming forward, past its normal extension.

Also it happened so quick. As soon as i had reached a standing point the muscle had reached a very high tension.

it was beyond stretching.

spatts. the pain is like a cut on my patella. There is soreness in the actual muscle similar to DOMS. but its the laceration type pain that is worrying me.

IronLion: as i said.....i have found out there are cramps and then there are CRAMPS.

Magnesium levels are cool. but i think its a lack of salt thing.

might start drinking "powerade" at the end and during workouts

 

[PolishHammer1977]

Take some time off the wheels brother. In the long riun you will be glad you did.

 

[fresh]

endpoint- what suplements, etc.. are you on?

 

[Zander1983]

I buy "No-Salt", which is basically a fake salt substitute for cooking. I use it on my food, but also in my Gatorade during soccer games to prevent cramp. I think Cenovis make it.

It contains "Potassium Chloride, Potassium Acid Tartrate, Silicon Dioxide, Celery Flavour, Magnesium Carbonate and less than 0.1% Sodium". Has done wonders for preventing my cramps.

 

[SofaGeorge]

Bro, the type of cramping you are describing sounds like depleted electrolytes. You see this often in serious athletes.

You need to start taking a broad spectrum multi mineral supplement.

 

[endpoint]

Bro, the type of cramping you are describing sounds like depleted electrolytes. You see this often in serious athletes.

You need to start taking a broad spectrum multi mineral supplement.

serious athletes......that sounds like me!
The multivitamin/mineral i take is a bit weak and has more emphisis on vitamins.

fresh: slow release mulitvit/min (blackmores), stress formula (b vitamins), straight protein powder, enteric coated fishoil tabs, lots of food.

I dont really take many supplements. not "ON" at the moment

Zander1983: going to the shops today. I will have a look. I hope its not made by PAN pharmaceuticals!

thanks everyone.

 

[crew9]

I've gotten some pretty bad cramps in my hamstrings before. Playing in a soccer tourney with multiple games a day in 100 degree weather and not drinking enough water will do that to ya. Came back sat in my recliner and just chilled. Tried to close the extension with one leg and wham. Cramps so bad my whole leg locked and wouldnt move for a couple min. Never a pleasant experience.

 

[kentucky]

I was having trouble sleeping about 2 years ago and took some of my grandmother's Haldol , (stupid, I know) and had a reaction to it, that sound like what you had, except mine was in nearly every muscle. But it would tighten up, and just keep stretching until it felt like it was going to pop. It would pull me so tight it would hurt, torture type pain.

They are called Extra Pyrimidal Symptoms.
In particular- Dystonia - ----

Prolonged muscular contractions that may cause twisting (torsion) of body parts, repetitive movements, and increased muscular tone



This is what came to mind when I read this. However, I think it's rare unless you are on new medication.

 

[IronLion]

A little off the subject but I saw a friend of mine go into a full body cramp in the middle of 3 a days once. It started with a hamstring and as the rest of his body compensated it began to cramp until he could barely breathe and they had to have an ambulance come and take him to the hospital. Freaky shit