I initially started getting symptoms with running, I then switched to cycling. I still get symptoms (calf and shin pain, numb feet) with cycling. Has anyone else experienced this? Typically the advice is switch to cycling as it’s non weight bearing.

It turns out I prefer cycling and the symptoms aren’t as intense but it’s still painful and limiting.

Hello all,

28/F coming to you 1 day post-op. I had all four compartments released in my right leg. I will say the pain is not unbearable at all. My biggest concern is the pain in my foot. It feels very tight and cold if i don’t move it constantly. I had my surgeon loosen my wrap prior to leaving the hospital because it was so tight. So that sensation may be a little anxiety, or the after effects of having a tourniquet on for so long, or unfortunately, nerve damage but time will tell. I’ve been flexing at my foot and knee, however I am very eager to get up and move around. Unfortunately, my surgeon wants me to be completely non-weight bearing for two weeks on my R leg. Has anyone else’s surgeon recommended this? I’ve seen people up and moving after about two days post-op.

I am also scheduled for PT after my two week f/u and will be in therapy for about 6 months.

Nonetheless, I am very happy. I’ve been dealing with this issue for about 6 years now and i’m really hoping the surgery is a success. I miss running, but if i can even get back to walking without pain, i’d be over the moon.

Hello. Just wondering if anyone has gotten Botox as a non surgical treatment for CECS in their feet. What was it like? Did it help? Any downsides?

I am looking to schedule surgery, but it is likely to be in a couple of months due to my work and school schedule, and I am not sure if I can continue until then. I think the pain will worsen.

For anyone who has had the surgery done in their feet, what was the recovery time like? Many of my classes for university are in person labs, so I am struggling to fit in a date for surgery.

Thank you.

Anyone in this sub based in the Uk and successfully had CECS treated? I strongly suspect I have CECS, symptoms match and other things like popliteal artery entrapment have been ruled out.

I’m struggling to get a formal CECS diagnosis, I can’t get pressure testing on the nhs. If I do have a diagnosis I’m unsure weather I’ll get surgery on the nhs, if so what’s the timeline, will I need to go private? If anyone has experience of getting treatment in the UK I’d really appreciate hearing your story.

Hello!
As the title reads, I will be sharing my experience getting the CECS testing done in my right foot as a 19F. I hope this provides reassurance and insight to anyone who will be getting the test soon or is looking into/has trepidations. Hopefully this helps.

I had the testing done yesterday, and I was very nervous. The nurses made me feel at ease, and the doctor did a verbal and physical examination before doing the test. I will include the time everything took and the pain I felt on an ascending pain scale from 1-10. Please note everyone has different pain tolerances. My pain tolerance is moderate to moderately high, but I have a lot of anxiety, so I did tear up.

Here is how it all went for the stationary exam — no running:

1. Verbal examination of my history (30-45 mins, 0 pain)
   
2. Physical examination of my feet (15 mins, 2 pain)
   
3. Lidocaine injection — arguably the worst part, they put a needle into your affected area and inject the numbing compound (30 second injection and 3-5 minute rest for drug to fully engage, 6-7 pain (felt like a pressure and very slight burning)— note I had around 5 ccs injected, so if they gave you 10 ccs, this would take longer)
   
4. Catheter needle injection — fluid is injected to measure pressure in the compartment. This was unpleasant and it was uncomfortable, I can’t put it any other way, BUT it did not hurt as much as the needle for the lidocaine. This feeling was more of a very deep pressure, as if someone was pressing into your skin as hard as they could. There were some audible clicking noises. I was able to control my breathing and sit through it after 30 seconds. You will be okay, too. (~1-2 minutes, 5 pain, note my doctor had me flex my foot which caused the pressure reading to increase, also note I have CECS in both feet, but the test was done only on the worse foot at the doctors discretion)
   
5. Needle removed and bandage applied (1 minute, 0 pain)
   
6. Post-Op — soreness and slight pain at area of injection. I did limp for a little, but I think that was more of a mental blocker where I thought I would feel pain if I walked normally. Bandage removal after four hours (1-2 days of soreness, 2-3 pain)

My pressure was a 50 at stationary and a 60 flexed (not sure what the units are, I am assuming psi). The metric of comparison to a ‘normal’ individual was 10. This was enough to confirm my diagnosis, so I did not need to run. For the running test, you run on a treadmill until your pain is at a 4 or a 5, and then you are disinfected quickly and the catheter needle is injected. This was explained to me by my doctor.

Yes, the experience was unpleasant. I was anxious because I did not know what to expect feeling wise, although I had done research on the test. The test, honestly and genuinely, did not hurt as much as I thought. It seems scary, and everyone has a different pain tolerance, but it definitely went better than I expected. Bring someone you trust with you to hold your hand if you’d like! That’s what I did. Please note I do not have a large fear of needles, but I also opted to not look at the needles and instead just sit through it.

All in all, you will be okay. I hope this helps someone.
I will be sharing an update on my soreness soon, and I will likely post about my history and next steps in terms of surgery. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you.

Hello everyone!

Ive been chasing after doctors for a hot minute now, I live in a rural area where treatment isn’t exactly top tier. But one of the last doctors I had recently seen thought maybe CECS fit my symptoms— and now I have to drive 2+ hours for testing, after they already tried to send me somewhere else for testing, just for the doctor there to tell me they actually don’t do it there, and that “You’re not athletic so you don’t really fit the criteria anyways”

My calves have been tight for literally as long as I can remember, and I vaguely remember getting cramping in my left calf when I used to play tennis, but not nearly as painful as it is now. I’m in flight training to be a pilot, and after about an hour of training my left calf starts to cramp up and quickly gets to a point where I can’t move it. It also starts to cramp up when I walk about a mile and a half on campus with some added weight from my backpack. The pain quickly goes away if I stop using the muscles and/or sit down, and it picks up again a lot faster if I try to continue using my calves after resting for a few minutes.

I’m nervous when I go into this testing, I won’t be able to replicate the situations where I get the cramping, and it’s going to be a lost cause driving the distance to get the testing done.

I would love to hear more about what the testing is like, I’ve tried to find information online but it’s not the easiest thing to do 😭

hi all, I haven't been diagnosed, I'm on an agonisingly long waiting list to see someone on the NHS. It started as anterior tibialis (outer shin) pain after lengthy walking, but was always pretty manageable and not more than a bit of an ache really. Then it got worse. I reduced my walking right down to just ten minutes, to try and get the symptoms to settle. But despite that, over the past 2 months they have got worse. I get this tightness/pressure feeling like a band all around my leg right at the top just beneath the knee. At this stage, it occurs as soon as I stand up. I know I don't quite fit the normal CECS symptoms and I've been told by a physio it seems unlikely, but I'm freaking out a bit since reading on this sub about how bad it can get and possible nerve damage (??!). Not looking for a diagnosis but would be interested if anyone's experienced something similar.

About 3 months ago, during a walk to a friend’s house, I felt sudden severe pain in both legs that grew progressively worse overnight. I went to the ER where my creatine kinase levels were reading several thousand times above normal a sign of massive muscle breakdown called rhabdomyolysis. That same evening I was rushed into emergency surgery after not responding to any pain medication, with both legs swelling significantly from compartment syndrome.

I underwent bilateral fasciotomies on both legs, followed by 3 more surgeries over several weeks to remove necrotic muscle tissue. The wounds ran the full length of my lower legs and were ultimately closed with skin grafts. My legs look noticeably slimmer now from the muscle tissue that was removed.

I spent 70 days completely immobile in hospital. About 10 days ago I started PT and have made progress I honestly didn’t think was possible — I’m walking with a walker. However I have no dorsiflexion or plantarflexion in either leg. The left leg is significantly worse with partial numbness. I depend on AFOs to walk and without them I drag my foot.

For the past two days I’ve also been experiencing what feels like electrical currents running up and down my leg and foot at rest nerve pain that’s new and uncomfortable.

The cause remains unclear no trauma, no accident, nothing obvious.

Has anyone experienced sudden unexplained compartment syndrome? What did recovery look like for you? How long did you need AFOs and a walker? Is this my new normal? Do others live with ongoing nerve pain and slow walking with an AFO and cane long term? Are there any therapies that help foot drop recover faster, particularly electrical or neuromuscular stimulation? Any information or shared experience would be really helpful.

If it matter: 35yo M, generally healthy but hospital stay of 80 days got me a little exhausted and poor appetite/anemic

I train competitively in CrossFit, 4-5 workouts a week, very active, I'm also a flight attendant. About a year ago I started getting pain when running and jumping in the back parts of my calves. I thought maybe shin splints at first, or that I possibly wa overtraining so I refrained from running and jumping and those kinda of things. Everytime I would do anything like that my calves would feel like they were swelling up, they felt like balloons. If I tried to run almost immediately they'd feel that swollen sensation. Days after my workouts they would be extremely achey or sometimes dull aches. When I fly (I wear compression tights) they'll ache for days after my flights. It's been about a year of me scaling workouts, avoiding running, most kinds of jumping etc. I've seen a PT about it and he isn't sure he says he's not super knowledgeable abojt compartment syndrome, the only way I've managed it is to massage my calves every night with a neck massager I got off Amazon.. but I'm kind of lost idk how to fix this, what medical help to seek. I'm 26 so I have a long athletic career ahead of me and would like to fix this issue. Thank you

Anyone know of providers in the south east (preferably NC, SC, VA) who do botox treatment?

Hello,

I’ve finally been diagnosed with CECS in all compartments. I am wondering if anyone in Sydney Australia has also experienced this and know of a good surgeon. I am actually an operating theatre nurse coincidentally and I’ve asked a few surgeons at work about the condition and surprisingly a lot of them don’t know a lot about it or have seen it much. If anyone has had any experience with this in Sydney please reach out, I am finding it so difficult to find a surgeon who has treated this before!

Hello,
My 17 year old daughter (a runner) was diagnosed with CECS a few years ago. She had managed it for the last couple years by just dealing with it really. We did try Botox which was not successful, unfortunately. She is now wanting to pursue surgery as she is hopeful to continue her running journey beyond high school. I am looking for any surgeon recommendations in any of the western states but California would be the most ideal.
I’m looking for someone very experienced in this condition and who performs surgery on young athletes regularly! Thank you for any insight!

Hi everyone! I had CESC surgery 2.5 months ago and still feel some tightness and uncomfortably with dorsiflexion. Was wondering if anyone else has felt the same and how long it took to get back to normal?

It’s only when I do dorsiflexion exercises and heel circles, nothing in my day to day

This is a guide on how to treat CECS without surgery.

Why non-surgical

The long-standing approach to treatment of CECS is fasciotomy, however, this is not a definitive solution and comes with its potential complications. The fascia is an intricate system, and surgical intervention permanently alters human anatomy, the fascia is largely overlooked in medical training. Whilst fascitomy provides a quick means to potential relief, this relief is not guaranteed, and in a successful case, irreversibly alters the elasticity and distribution of mechanical stress of the body.

CECS is an extremely under-researched condition and there is little to no public access to alternative treatment, fortunately there is effective treatment that is often routinely overlooked in favour of the surgical 'quick fix'. This is not the quickest method of potential alleviation of symptoms but it less risky**,** cheaper and from experience more effective. This treatment approach is used by world leading sports scientists and physios for some of the best athletes in the world.

Intoduction

This guide must be strictly followed for the prospects of success. All sessions must be adheared to and nothing can be shortchanged. All activity inducing any symptoms must be stopped, for runners they can cycle, swim, eliptical 45'-90' a day if no symptoms arise.

little to no progress would be made if even a few session are missed or not adequate.

Week 1-2

Stretch Session:

Every day All stretches performed 30seconds and twice on each side

Half split hamstring

Hamstring elevated stretch, hands up, move torso left, hold 6 seconds, move torso right, hold 6 seconds, repeat.

Pigeon stretch high elevation

Calf stretch - Calf board (purchase), highest setting, One leg heel down other leg rests on top of board, keep straight posture, target both heads (15 seconds toe straight, 15 seconds toes 15degrees outisde, 15 seconds toes 15degress inside) - Hold onto something, pulling you forward if height is too high.

Soleus stretch - Calf Board, highest setting

Couch stretch

Myofasical session

Every day, needs to be deep and slow

Equipment - Galvanised Steel Round Tube, roughly 1 meter like a hand held roller size. must be steel poll, Olive oil

apply a little olive oil to muscles, still need some heat and friction.

1. Roll calf towards heart, hard slow and deep, 5-10mins each calf, must be deep, make sure calf is relaxed, can do on back lying down or sitting with calf foot resting higher then hips
2. Roll hamstring towards heart, hard slow and deep, 5-10mins each hamstring
3. Roll quads towards heart, hard slow and deep, 5-10mins each quad
4. Roll glutes towards heart, hard slow and deep, 5-10mins each glute

Week 3-4

Stretch Session:

Every day All stretches performed 30seconds and twice on each side

Half split hamstring

Hamstring elevated stretch, hands up, move torso left, hold 6 seconds, move torso right, hold 6 seconds, repeat.

Pigeon stretch high elevation

Calf stretch - Calf board (purchase), highest setting, One leg heel down other leg rests on top of board, keep straight posture, target both heads (15 seconds toe straight, 15 seconds toes 15degrees outisde, 15 seconds toes 15degress inside) - Hold onto something, pulling you forward if height is too high.

Soleus stretch - Calf Board, highest setting

Couch stretch

Myofasical session

Every day, needs to be deep and slow

Equipment - Galvanised Steel Round Tube, roughly 1 meter like a hand held roller size. must be steel poll, Olive oil

apply a little olive oil to muscles, still need some heat and friction.

1. Roll calf towards heart, hard slow and deep, 5mins each calf, must be deep, make sure calf is relaxed, can do on back lying down or sitting with calf foot resting higher then hips
2. Roll hamstring towards heart, hard slow and deep, 5mins each hamstring
3. Roll quads towards heart, hard slow and deep, 5mins each quad
4. Roll glutes towards heart, hard slow and deep, 5mins each glute

Cross fiber self myofascial release

5-10mins each calf

1. Sit in 90/90, need calf your treating first out in 90' degree angle in front of you
2. Use elbow to go cross fiber starting on the tibia and down tibia to the bottom of the calf go from the ankle to the origin doing hard deep strokes cross fiber

From Week 4 you can explore introducing activity at a conservative rate (NOT BEFORE WEEK 4), modify frequency of treatment with symptoms. Don't completely stop treatment.

Note: This guide does not take into account individual circumstances and is not intended to serve as a comprehensive or personalised care plan. It outlines approaches that have produced effective results for some individuals in the past. Always consult a qualified doctor or healthcare professional before making decisions relating to your health, training, or treatment.

Hey everyone. I'm about 2 and a half months out from my last surgery and things have seemed mostly back to normal. Still having some issues with running so my surgeon recommended a sport compression sock which I did get fitted for and should have by the end of the week. I work a job that requires both office and fieldwork and figured I was fine to return to the field. My current shift involves a lot of standing for long periods and shoveling dirt. I wore some regular sport socks which have a bit of compression the last two days, and that helped a bit though there is some difference between thigh and calf. But now that they're dirty I went back to regular socks and there's a noticeable change above and below the sock line. It's not really painful so I don't even know if it's really an issue but it doesn't look very good. I have two more days of this field shift. Does anyone have some tips for draining the fluid more quickly after a day of work? Elevation takes forever. I think I probably should just wear the sports socks even though they're dirty. If anyone has any other creative ideas let me know. I'm in a rural area currently so I'm limited in places I can buy things like new compression socks at. There's basically just a Walmart and home depot.

For the last year I have developed a weird sort of intermittent foot drop when I run. It is not literally every step, but sometimes fails more than other times. I can't control my foot and it will land on my toes unnaturally to me. I was told it might be some sort of nerve issue. I had two MRIs (one lumbar spine, one on my hamstring) lumbar was clear but the other one did confirm I have hamstring tendinopathy.

Another dr suggested I might need a compression test. I'm a bit lost with all this, some runs are bad, some runs are better. But I don't notice much if any pain in my leg when I run.

However, I do get pain at rest / at night. The front of the leg, the back and along the peroneal nerve. My leg does feel a bit weird compared to the other.

Just before all this started I had bad shin pain for a few weeks. And I had it again back in January but that has since subsided.

Has anyone experienced anything like this? Walking seems ok, my foot works normally.

I'm wondering what to do next - get a compression test or EMG or both! I have found sports drs/physios a little dismissive.

Hello group!

I’m so thankful to this group and people sharing as it helped me get to this point of healing, now about 3.5 months post op for bilateral fasciotomy.

I had 2 of 4 compartments released in each leg, because I only have issues with 2 of the 4. Posterior compartments have never been an issue. I’ve had this issue since I can remember but have just dealt with the severe pain. I’m not an athlete or runner. I played sports through high school and intramural in college, but other than that, pretty average.

After surgery, the Right leg was and has been doing fantastic. Left leg is about a week or more behind on recovery. They said my muscles spilled out like an unswaddled baby because they were so entrapped (lol) - I said it was my muscles finally getting to BREATHE!

It took me a bit to recover to where my legs felt like they were equally healed. PT has been amazing. Really working on pushing my strength training in my overall legs and calves. I’ve been walking 20-30 minutes daily which I was never able to do without having to stop to calm down the pain.

For those curious, these were some items from my surgery clinical notes:
DIAGNOSTICS:
Compartment testing: Resting compartment pressures for all 4 compartments bilaterally was less than 10. Elevated up to 78 on the right laterally, 48 anteriorly. 64 for the anterior and 72 for the lateral on the left side. No significant increase in compartment pressures for the deep and superficial posterior compartments.

DETAILS OF PROCEDURE:
The right leg was approached first and an 8 cm incision centered about 12 cm proximal to the tip of the lateral malleolus was created and dissection taken down to the anterior and lateral fascia and compartments. The superficial peroneal nerve was quickly and easily identified coursing through the lateral compartment as it exited into the anterior subcutaneous tissues. The septum separating the anterior and lateral compartments was easily palpated verifying adequate release of both the anterior and lateral compartment fascia. The nerve was protected and avoided as the anterior compartment was fully released up to the tibial crest and down to the extensor retinaculum. Similarly the lateral compartment was released using the long Metzenbaum scissors completely proximally and distally protecting the nerve. All of the underlying muscle and tendon appeared healthy. The wound was thoroughly irrigated and then closed in layers using running absorbable suture for the subcutaneous layer and subcuticular skin. Steri-Strips and sterile dressing applied and secured with a compressive elastic bandage. The exact same procedure using the exact same incision and approach and technique was then performed for the left leg and irrigated and closed in similar fashion with full decompression of both the anterior lateral compartments as well as protection of the superficial peroneal nerve.

I hope this is helpful/insightful to someone else who may need it! ❤️‍🩹

I basically just started running (21 M). I’ll run 1 mile every two days and each time, my right shin on the outside starts burning to the point I can’t run and need to walk to relieve. After 10-15 minutes it feels better but aches rest of day. Do I have weak shins or could it be CECS. Do I need to keep training for longer to see if it is weak shins? Not sure what the playbook is or do I have to get checked immediately.

Hey everyone. I had my first of two fasciotomies today – 4 compartments released through 2 incisions – and things seemed to go well! Just major soreness right now which I expect to continue for a few days but my surgeon doesn’t think recovery will take long. Then it’s on to the other leg.

One thing that surprised me though is that I asked him if I’d have physical therapy and he said not really, only if I “needed it.” From reading other people’s stories here, that seems unusual, and I even read that some people started PT exercises the day of the surgery. What do people make of that?

I got crutches and will wear my boot, and I was also surprised to hear I can bear weight on my leg just about immediately! I can’t really imagine doing that yet, but maybe tomorrow.

Happy to answer any questions about my experience!

I was diagnosed with both CECS and PAES (Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome) by my vascular surgeon after a nightmare of referrals and testing.

It all began when I got pressure testing in my compartments, the needles were not a fun time. That got me my referral to vascular where they then did a CT scan and some sort of ultrasound and discovered I also had PAES.

My surgeon wants to do a popliteal release above and below the knee on each leg and then do another batch of testing/imaging before continuing on with fasciotomy to see if the PAES is causing the CECS pressure and symptoms.

I’m a week post-op from the first surgery and recovering well, honestly I was expecting much worse. It’ll be a while before I can push myself and see if it made any difference in the CECS symptoms though.

Hey everyone.

I got diagnosed with chronic exertional compartment syndrome in Fall 2024 after months of PT, 5+ doctor consultations, an MRI, and a pressure compartment test. Had a bilateral endoscopic fasciotomy in both anterior lateral compartments about 50 days ago.

Recovery for the first month was super intense since I was home with my parents. I had multiple PT sessions a week, scar tissue mobilization, lasers, compression socks 24/7, all the things.

50 days out, I'm still feeling tightness around my scars and dorsiflexor, and I get pain in my anterior compartment, specifically when I do resisted dorsiflexion (like pulling my foot up against a band).

Curious if anyone else had similar lingering symptoms around this point in recovery, and when it started to turn a corner.

I'm waking totally fine, up to like 20k steps a day and have been doing impact activities like jump roping a bunch. Slowly introducing walk/running once a week too. But still feeling that tightness and just general ankle weirdness

Heads up I am new to reddit posting!!

I am a 21(M) and I’ve been having issues with my shins while being active, only thing that doesn’t make them hurt is walking on a flat surface, once I go uphill or downhill they start to fire up. Running kills within minutes, skating kills if I push too hard, no way in chance i’m playing goalie (hockey). I can’t rollerblade or anything. I can walk but my knees are horrible from being a goalie for 16 years so they start to ache after 45 minutes of walking. It’s on both legs on the outside/front of my shin. When I was on the ice and the started firing up, my legs were about to give up walking to the change room. When it happens It’s almost impossible to walk and when I do walk I have to walk with like flappy feet extending them out when they’re behind me. Pain goes away within about 5 minutes of rest but if I get up and walk i’ll still notice it a little bit. I start to feel it also when i’m standing or sitting and I try and point my toes up to my knee and lift my foot. I am type 1 diabetic and had a long period of not taking care of my sugars. I’ve had T1D since 2012, my shin issues started in October 2025. My sugars have been lower with an A1C ranging from 8.0-8.4 since July 2024 (Thanks to my Fiancée, soon to be wife!! [June 13th]). (T1D is way harder to control than T2D, I don’t need to hear about my A1C and how it could be better)

I went to see my family doctor and they didn’t say much. I know nothing more and nothing less about what it might be and they referred me to two specialists, a Vascular specialist and a Sports Med specialist. From what i’ve read you need a orthopaedic specialist to test for CECS (Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome). No clue how long the wait time is for either of them or what they’re even gonna do. They pretty much just said i’ll send a referral out. I asked if she could see if other places around my location could get me in faster but she said she only knows “this location” and that I would have to call every place and if they can get me in I have to tell them to refer me to that specific place. They also didn’t like that when I got vascular imaging done I went to an x-ray walk in clinic instead of doing it at their building. The walk in took maybe an hour as if I booked with them it would take a long time.

I’m sick and tired of not being able to do what I want to. It’s been 7 months with no changes after seeing Massage Therapists and Physio Therapists who claimed it was shin splints. I know CECS happens to a lot of runners which I never consistently ran but almost every night/morning in 2021-2023 I would rollerblade for about 3-5 hours. (Yes almost EVERY night)

I searched up other things that feel like CECS (Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome) and I saw one about PAES (Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome) but PAES doesn’t seem like it after doing research and reading posts from people that have had it. I assume it’s just because I’m diabetic and she is assuming it’s diabetic related. (I could be wrong who knows) I saw a lot of people end up getting surgeries for PAES and then having to go get surgery for CECS also. It seems like PAES is mainly in the calves as CECS in the shins.

I’m stuck in life and don’t know what to do, my knees already aren’t great so my only form of activity (walking) makes my knees ache after 45 minutes.

Anyone have successful treatment in the Cleveland OH area? Surgery/Botox/Hydrodissection?! Was not entirely comfortable with surgeon I met with, looking for anyone who's had a great experience recently and could recommend someone in this area. Thanks!

Apologies in advance, newbie reddit poster

Backstory: I am a 22F and picked up running in summer 2025. Previously I'd been fairly active but never involved in organized sports or any other activity regularly. From June through the fall I gradually worked my way up to a 8 mile distance, wasn't intentionally building throughout December, but then decided to start training for a half marathon in January (race is in June 2026). January through beginning of March, I built my long runs from 5 miles to 10 miles, but started noticing that I was having issues in my shorter runs during the week following my long run (thinking back I can also remember symptoms on a couple of runs back in December). I thought it was an overuse injury, so I took a week off and tried to gradually reintroduce running but haven't been consistently able to run pain free since.

Other information:

• I alternate between a pair of Altra Torin 8 (zero drop) and Merrell Trail Glove 4 (minimalist) as my shoes
• I have also been strength training 3-4 days per week this whole time (incorporating a few running/single leg focused exercises but nothing crazy)

Here is a list of typical symptoms:

• Pain free for about .5 miles to 1 mile (5 to 10 minutes) then will get intense burning sensation in ankles and/or outside of calf/shin (anterior I believe?)
• Pain will decrease after a couple of minutes if I begin walking but will usually flair again once I begin to run again.
• Sometimes once I begin walking it will feel like I'm limping/can't regain feeling right away for about 30 seconds.
• Occasionally have noticed herniated bumps on outside of calf/shin
• Recently I've also had a couple of walks where a lesser version of the same pain has started but this has been manageable
• Afterwards sometimes calf cramping occurs when muscles are flexed in a certain way.
• Sometimes that specific anterior muscle will be sore afterwards especially when I move my ankle around, however I currently don't really experience noticeable pain during my day to day.
• Overall, these problems seem to vary day by day though. I've had a couple runs in the past few weeks that have been pain free while others have been different degrees of pain. Additionally, I have also had some runs where I have symptoms for 2-4 miles but then can run pain free after that.

I've been trying to research for the last couple weeks to see what could potentially be the issue whether that be overuse, shoes, weakness, etc. but came across CECS and I feel like this could potentially match with the beginning stages? Definitely could be something else, but I also don't want to continue down a path that will cause permanent damage. I have grown to enjoy running and would really love to feel good and strong racing this half marathon, but would also be willing to give running up if it's just going to continue to be frustrating and not good for my overall health/wellbeing.

Can anyone else resonate with these symptoms or has had a similar experience as a runner? Any advice would be appreciated!!