Here you go bro ACS is quite common during a cycle.
Anterior Compartment Syndrome
(Anterior shin splints)
What is a compartment syndrome?
Compartment syndromes arise when a muscle becomes too big for the sheath that surrounds it causing pain. The big muscle on the outside of the shin is called the tibialis anterior and is surrounded by a sheath. This is called the anterior compartment of the lower leg. Compartment syndromes can be acute or chronic.
Acute anterior compartment syndrome can occur as a result of:
An impact which causes bleeding within the compartment and therefore swelling.
A muscle tear which also causes bleeding.
Over use injury which also causes swelling.
Symptoms include:
A sharp pain in the muscle on the outside of the lower leg, usually the result of a direct blow.
Weakness when trying to pull the foot upwards against resistance.
Swelling and tenderness over the tibialis anterior muscle.
Pain when the foot and toes are bent downwards.
What can the athlete do?
Rest, but try to exercise your upper body or cycle if it is not painful.
Apply ice and compression for 20 minutes at a time.
See a sports injury professional who can advise on rehabilitation.
The anterior compartment is on the outside front of the shin, shown bottom left above.
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Learn how and when Sports Massage is applied to stretch the sheath surrounding the muscle.
What can a sports injury specialist or doctor do?
Prescribe anti-inflammatory medication e.g. ibuprofen.
Correct any biomechanical disfunction with orthotic devices.
Operate. They could make a small cut or two in the muscle sheath to allow the muscle to expand out.
Chronic anterior compartment syndrome can occur as a result of:
Over use and over developing the muscle through training.
At rest the blood vessels are not at capacity. During exercise these blood vessels fill up much more and expand putting pressure on the sheath.
The sheath becomes inelastic and unable to expand.
Symptoms include:
Pain which increases during exercise which eventually makes running impossible.
Pain goes after a short rest but comes back again during exercise.
Difficulty in lifting the toes and foot up.
Pain when pulling the toes and foot downwards.
What can the athlete do?
Rest until there is no pain.
Apply sports massage techniques to increase the elasticity of the muscle sheath.
Apply heat and use a heat retainer.
See a sports injury specialist.
What can a sports injury specialist or doctor do?
Prescribe diuretics and anti-inflammatory medication.
Analyse your training methods, running gait and types of shoe to determine any contributory factors.
Use sports massage techniques to stretch the muscle sheath.
Operate. They could make a small cut or two in the muscle sheath to allow the muscle to expand out.
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Similar / related injuries:
Posterior compartment syndrome, Stress fracture
Other lower leg injuries:
Calf contusion, Cramp, Footballers ankle, Tibialis posterior syndrome, Peroneal dislocation, Achilles tendon rupture, Achilles tendinitis, Calf strain, Deep vein thrombosis, Anterior compartment syndrome, Lateral compartment syndrome, Tibialis anterior tendon sheath inflammation, Tight calf muscles
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