Checked a Kick - Numb, Incredible Pain

[showdown]

Last Wednesday I was at Muay Thai class and we were doing kicking and checking drills. Kicking went fine for me, 1 to 5, 5 to 1 was easy and anything else was good. Checking went fine, until I began having my kicks checked by a training partner. He checked a few and I had no pain (yes, I was using shinguards), then, on about the third or fourth checked kick, he made contact with my shin guard and his knee. He hit about halfway up my shin and when I retrieved the kick, I was greeted by a an extreme but numb pain in the side of my calf and lower leg. I remember it feeling like it was between the bone and the calf, coming out of the side. It created so much pain that I couldn't stand on it. The pain disappeared a few minutes later and I didn't think much of it. The next day, it became sore at random times in the day, and going up stairs. It has not caused me any trouble up until today (Tuesday). I was doing some bag work, going only 10% on everything (no shinguards) and went to perform my first rear leg kick of the day (right leg). I brought it up and down, not hard at all and it created the same pain I experienced before. I had to pull out a chair and sit down for a few minutes.

I was wondering if anyone has ever experienced anything like this or has any advice other than seeing an MD. It hasn't been around long enough or happened enough for me to see a doctor, so I don't see the point just yet. Please give me your thoughts, opinions and advice. Thanks.

 

[ChachiKiller]

Last Wednesday I was at Muay Thai class and we were doing kicking and checking drills. Kicking went fine for me, 1 to 5, 5 to 1 was easy and anything else was good. Checking went fine, until I began having my kicks checked by a training partner. He checked a few and I had no pain (yes, I was using shinguards), then, on about the third or fourth checked kick, he made contact with my shin guard and his knee. He hit about halfway up my shin and when I retrieved the kick, I was greeted by a an extreme but numb pain in the side of my calf and lower leg. I remember it feeling like it was between the bone and the calf, coming out of the side. It created so much pain that I couldn't stand on it. The pain disappeared a few minutes later and I didn't think much of it. The next day, it became sore at random times in the day, and going up stairs. It has not caused me any trouble up until today (Tuesday). I was doing some bag work, going only 10% on everything (no shinguards) and went to perform my first rear leg kick of the day (right leg). I brought it up and down, not hard at all and it created the same pain I experienced before. I had to pull out a chair and sit down for a few minutes.

I was wondering if anyone has ever experienced anything like this or has any advice other than seeing an MD. It hasn't been around long enough or happened enough for me to see a doctor, so I don't see the point just yet. Please give me your thoughts, opinions and advice. Thanks.

You said it hurt when you put weight on it. Is it the impact of stepping or can it be narrowed down to the angle of the instep.

Does it hurt to touch it? Does it hurt while you are not weight bearing?

Is is on the bone or the anterior tibialis (muscle on shin)?

 

[showdown]

You said it hurt when you put weight on it. Is it the impact of stepping or can it be narrowed down to the angle of the instep.

Does it hurt to touch it? Does it hurt while you are not weight bearing?

Is is on the bone or the anterior tibialis (muscle on shin)?

It hurts to bear weight on it after an impact (even so much as a bump from a fleshy object i.e.: another calf).

It doesn't hurt to the touch, but in a region the size of the tennis ball, if I knock on it firmly, but not hard, it creates pain. No it does not hurt while not weight bearing. When bearing weight (i.e.: normal, not getting hit in it at all) it is fine, but when walking is thrown in, the pain felt in the area is about .8/10, 10 being pretty damn extreme.

It seems to be the muscle (my point of view: outter right, front of my right shin).

 

[Capt.Canuck]

It hurts to bear weight on it after an impact (even so much as a bump from a fleshy object i.e.: another calf).

It doesn't hurt to the touch, but in a region the size of the tennis ball, if I knock on it firmly, but not hard, it creates pain. No it does not hurt while not weight bearing. When bearing weight (i.e.: normal, not getting hit in it at all) it is fine, but when walking is thrown in, the pain felt in the area is about .8/10, 10 being pretty damn extreme.

It seems to be the muscle (my point of view: outter right, front of my right shin).

So why exactly don't you want to see a doctor? You realize it's free, right?

 

[ChachiKiller]

It hurts to bear weight on it after an impact (even so much as a bump from a fleshy object i.e.: another calf).

It doesn't hurt to the touch, but in a region the size of the tennis ball, if I knock on it firmly, but not hard, it creates pain. No it does not hurt while not weight bearing. When bearing weight (i.e.: normal, not getting hit in it at all) it is fine, but when walking is thrown in, the pain felt in the area is about .8/10, 10 being pretty damn extreme.

It seems to be the muscle (my point of view: outter right, front of my right shin).

Options:

Bruise
Bone briuse
Trauma to the anterior tibialis
Hairline fracture

I have had each one. The hairline would sit you out the longest. If it was on the shin bone directly, I would suspect a bone bruise which are microscopic fraying to the outer layer of the bone. Extremely painful but will heal in around 12 weeks.

I had absorbed a spinning back kick from a 230lber and his heel hit my shin at full force. I trained for a week and I noticed that the area actually started to sink in. I kept running and training and I noticed I was limping. The dent got deeper. It was four inches long and sank in about 1/2 - 3/4 inch.

I went to a deep tissue massage guy. He broke it down. I used hot moist towels, and massaged it with a rolling pin when it got a little better. I just kept working on it. He told me that the muscle trauma caused it to seize up and the muscles stopped sliding. They ultimately contracted more and more which caused the dent to get bigger. You may not have a dent because the area of impact was larger but this may be it.

If you can determine that it is the muscle then sign up for a deep tissue MAN (someone with really strong hands) to work the leg. After that, try a hot rag a few times a day for 10 minutes each (I know it sounds like a headache). Massage the area (up and down in the direction of the muscle fiber) after each hot towel session for ten minutes. Use a compression bandage when you need to work (not tight enought to cut off blood flow) Double wrap the shin in padding after that if you spar soon.

Hairline fracture, if not good after a week after the massage and treatment, get the xray. Make sure they look for hairline fracture so they pay more attention the first time (long story).

Good luck.

 

[showdown]

So why exactly don't you want to see a doctor? You realize it's free, right?

I just don't like waiting for a long while if I can figure it out as time goes on. Waiting in emerge for me is a two hour minimum. Waiting for my family doctor is at least a two and a half hour (no joke) wait. My family doctor also gives me shit for going to emerge and quickest appointment to see the doctor would be a week.

 

[showdown]

If you can determine that it is the muscle then sign up for a deep tissue MAN (someone with really strong hands) to work the leg. After that, try a hot rag a few times a day for 10 minutes each (I know it sounds like a headache). Massage the area (up and down in the direction of the muscle fiber) after each hot towel session for ten minutes. Use a compression bandage when you need to work (not tight enought to cut off blood flow) Double wrap the shin in padding after that if you spar soon.


Good luck.

So, even if the massage is painful, go through with it? I'm almost 100% sure it isn't the bone as I've been playing around with it and I feel no pain when touching the front of the shin. When massaging the area myself (firmly, but not too firm) I experience mild discomfort but it is easy to endure.

There is also no visable bruising, but is it possible it is a deep bruise which would show no discolouration?

 

[MonstrositY]

locate the site(s) of pain by feeling around. refer to above and tell me which structure(s) hurt. sounds like you've bone bruised your fibula and damaged some surrounding muscles (probably tibialis anterior)

 

[Capt.Canuck]

I just don't like waiting for a long while if I can figure it out as time goes on. Waiting in emerge for me is a two hour minimum. Waiting for my family doctor is at least a two and a half hour (no joke) wait. My family doctor also gives me shit for going to emerge and quickest appointment to see the doctor would be a week.

Go into one of those walk-in clinics in Ottawa (i.e. Appletree Clinics) and you're usually seen in under 30 minutes. I've used them quite often over the years.

They are all over the city too, so if you find a busy one you can be at another location in 5 minutes.

 

[ChachiKiller]

So, even if the massage is painful, go through with it? I'm almost 100% sure it isn't the bone as I've been playing around with it and I feel no pain when touching the front of the shin. When massaging the area myself (firmly, but not too firm) I experience mild discomfort but it is easy to endure.

There is also no visable bruising, but is it possible it is a deep bruise which would show no discolouration?

When I dented my shin, I never had a bruise or discoloration either. Not sure how that is possible. The reason for the massage and warm/hot towel is to get blood flowing to the area and separate and muscle that has seized (stopped sliding on itself).

 

[showdown]

locate the site(s) of pain by feeling around. refer to above and tell me which structure(s) hurt. sounds like you've bone bruised your fibula and damaged some surrounding muscles (probably tibialis anterior)

Tibialis Anterior. That's the closest thing to the injury.

 

[showdown]

Go into one of those walk-in clinics in Ottawa (i.e. Appletree Clinics) and you're usually seen in under 30 minutes. I've used them quite often over the years.

They are all over the city too, so if you find a busy one you can be at another location in 5 minutes.

Unfortunately, with me being in Arnprior and a student, it would be hard to get there. But I'm thinking of going in today to Emerg. to see what they can do about it. I was at track this morning and had it bumped and I had to lean over on a fence to stand up.. eventually I left track.

 

[showdown]

When I dented my shin, I never had a bruise or discoloration either. Not sure how that is possible. The reason for the massage and warm/hot towel is to get blood flowing to the area and separate and muscle that has seized (stopped sliding on itself).

I will try massaging it myself and putting on the hot towel. Hopefully I see some results.

 

[showdown]

For anyone still keeping up with this:
I went to emerge today and had it checked out. They suggested damaged muscle tissue. They took an x-ray though. When I got home tonight, about 10 minutes ago, a different doctor had called and told me that there is a high possibility that I have an undisplaced fracture. I am supposed to see about follow-up x-rays. The bone has been hurting more than the tissue tonight, so hopefully I can get this all figured out and won't be out of the game for too long.

I will update as I get the news.

 

[showdown]

Good news, but odd that doctors see something that isn't there. I went in for more x-rays today, the x-rays showed nothing. Hopefully I'll be good to go soon.

 

[Baby Face]

When my shins got messed up. i stuck a big post in the ground. tied tyres to it. and now kick them everyday. harded my shins up well. i try kick sometimes with my feet too. and harden them also. Get some shin pads too. start of using them. then work your way off them.

well thats what ive done anyway.

 

[jmugza11]

I actually have close to the same issue. I was doing hard sparring and the guy checked my kick and I hit his knee. When my foot hit the ground I could barely stand and I felt awful pain in my shin and calf. After icing it it got better but it's 4 days later and I still feel pain when walking or going up/down stairs. There is no bruise and it feels like the pain is deep inside the muscle. I'm going to the doctor on Monday but my athletic trainer at the gym said it could be "compartment syndrome" I hope it's not too bad cause I got a fight at the end of the May

 

[MonstrositY]

yea mate, it didn't sound like a fracture. it's a bone bruise. i assume the pain when pressure is put on it is gone now, right? work on the muscle. it takes time.

 

[ChachiKiller]

I actually have close to the same issue. I was doing hard sparring and the guy checked my kick and I hit his knee. When my foot hit the ground I could barely stand and I felt awful pain in my shin and calf. After icing it it got better but it's 4 days later and I still feel pain when walking or going up/down stairs. There is no bruise and it feels like the pain is deep inside the muscle. I'm going to the doctor on Monday but my athletic trainer at the gym said it could be "compartment syndrome" I hope it's not too bad cause I got a fight at the end of the May

Hope not. That is very nasty and sports life impacting.

I don't know how to stress this enough. Find a great deep tissue guy. Not some hack with a 2 year massage certificate degree. You will find these guys at sports medicine places. Have them take a look.

 

[d_couch90]

I just don't like waiting for a long while if I can figure it out as time goes on. Waiting in emerge for me is a two hour minimum. Waiting for my family doctor is at least a two and a half hour (no joke) wait. My family doctor also gives me shit for going to emerge and quickest appointment to see the doctor would be a week.

Umm, what?