Alan's Place: Torn Calf Muscle Redux

Monday, August 06, 2007

Torn Calf Muscle Redux

Could it only be just over a year ago when I first tore my right calf muscle? What I find most interesting is that this article has generated the most search hits on my blog - over 35%. Also of interest is that this spring and early summer, I noticed the frequency of these search hits increasing.

I guess this makes quite a bit of sense, as the weather improves and people get outside more frequently and over-do stuff. So, if you are one of those people who arrive here via a search for "torn calf muscle", welcome! Please leave a comment on how you injured yourself (accident, sporting, shark bite, etc.) and what your recuperation and recovery experience was. Especially helpful would be stretches to loosen up the ole' calf muscle to prevent this from happening a third time.

"Did he say third time?", I hear you mumble? Why, yes I did. However, this time it was the left calf muscle. Thus, it seems as if the universe has balanced out my damaged lower leg muscles once and (hopefully) for all.

We were at opening day for the Vista Soccer Club, and all three of our kids are playing this season. Besides team pictures, there are several booths there for the kids and/or adults who still think they are kids (that would be me).

My son ran a timed sprint, and set the record for his age group at that early hour. He encouraged me to give it a try, and I did so, even though my left calf had been bitching at me for several weeks that something just wasn't right. I didn't stretch, warm up, or do anything to remotely warn my calves what I was about to ask of them.

Two steps into the sprint, and I feel a pop in my left calf muscle, and immediately pull up and hop around like a wounded stork. Stupid, stupid, stupid! I applied ice immediately, went home, and applied R.I.C.E. therapy. Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.

Comparing the initial discomfort to my previous injury, I knew that the new tear wasn't as bad as the old one. Instead of feeling as if someone hit the back of my leg with an aluminum baseball bat, the new injury felt as if something just popped loose.

So, as of this Monday morning, I am limping around the office like a goon, but relatively pain free. I will be taking it extremely easy over the next 4 weeks, with a goal of returning to the water and surfing gently at some point after that. Wish me luck!

[ Update: Please see this later post about my calf muscle rehabilitation, and add comments there. ]

286 comments:

«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 286 of 286 Newer› Newest»

Anonymous said...: OK so I am a 70 yr old female in fair health and condition. Definately not athletic. I was taking in a picture from my garage, slipped on something did a variety of acrobatic moves involving hitting at least 4 items but ending up landing on a chair. Did not hear any pop but of course was focusing on landing somewhere that I would not break my bones. Hurt right away but could still limp. Over the next couple of hours lost ability to walk on that leg. ER dr said I tore the calf muscle would take about a week to heal. Use warm compress and rest (stay off foot). It is now 3 days, still in pain, can't put any weight on the foot. At work am using my chair as my wheelchair cause crutches hurt my arms. Any suggestions??; Wednesday, February 25, 2009 1:58:00 PM
Anonymous said...: Don-- thanks for your comments. I had a small amount of bruising in the foot. No cast or brace. Tore gastroc-- about 4 cm space. Calf is smaller and shorter and harder than the other one. It definitely works differently. Can do toe raises. Back to sports, but dull ache at site. My wife's cousin is an orthopod and did the same thing skiing. Says it took a couple of years to not feel it. Still has a dent, but couldn't remember which leg it was until he looked. Anyone have any luck with medical massage, prolotherapy or plasma injections? Patience may be the answer, but looking for answers, like everyone else. Don-- if you want to see photos of the injury, e-mail me at gassd@millerjohnson.com. Thanks, Dave; Monday, March 02, 2009 6:42:00 PM
Anonymous said...: My problems started with achilles tendonitis (left leg) which came on after a minor cycling accident where I hit the deck. I was an exercise junkie and like a machine able to run or cycle or swim forever and the more I did the more energy had to do even more! I also played badminton and was obsessed with weight training. I had never got injured before, no matter how much I did. The tendonitis would not resolve and became chronic and I walked with a very bad limp. I ended up having a decompression of the achilles tendon and had a long recuperation. I had resorted to aquajogging, cycling and weights and still managed a 12 hr & 24 hr cycling time trial after this! Getting back to running has been very hit and miss over the last 12 years and I get endless problems in the whole of the lower left leg region which include swelling, oedema, & pain which has to be very carefully monitored. Of late I have started to get a ping in the calf region where the tendon and muscle meet in the centre when running followed by a searing line of pain which either stops me dead or I can slowly hobble long or walk. There may be bruising in the area afterwards and I have to rest until the pain goes away completely it is rarely painful when cycling but is on walking and running is a non starter. I have found massage with a metal massage ball extremely helpful and compression is good too. I no longer do mega miles I do 1 half marathon a year and stick to 5k canicross races and training runs somewhere in between. I have been told by a sports therapist that the problems I am getting now are caused by muscle tears and build up of scar tissue in the calf, and managing it is the only solution. I guess the decompression has lead to the muscles having to work in a different way and has lead to a greater propensity towards further injury. Compared to how I was before the op it is a massive improvement, but a shame that it keeps happening - it can be on a gentle run after 2 miles, yet I may run a 10 miler with no symptoms at all. This makes managing it a difficult task. I cannot run consecutive days and may have to rest 3 days plus depending on how things are going. Hope my case is of interest to you. Has been interesting reading the other posts.
Whippeteer; Saturday, March 07, 2009 11:27:00 AM
Dave said...: I recently pulled or tore my left calf muscle. I was doing some kicking drills (muay thai (kickboxing)) with a trainer and it felt like someone hit me in the calf with a pole. I didn't hear anything as it was noisy but I felt a "thud" and dropped to the floor. I immediately went home and iced it and then wrapped it up. For the first few days I could not put any weight on the ball of my foot. It has been 11 days and it has improved a bit but I can’t walk up stairs like a normal person and I’m definitely not jumping around.
I can now put some weight on the ball of my foot, maybe 20-30%. It is the Gastrocnemius muscle that is injured. When I put some weight on the ball of my foot it seems that the Soleus muscle is doing all of the work. I try to flex my calf muscle and the only one that will flex is the Soleus. I can feel (with my fingers) that the outside Gastrocnemius starts to flex a bit but the inside won’t flex at all. When I feel up and down my calf muscle it feels a little harder where the Gastrocnemius meets the tendon.
I keep the calf compressed most of the day and I ice it when I can. I don’t use crutches but I put some heel pads in my shoes to reduce the strain on the ball of my foot. I haven’t been to the doctor. I’ve had my share of pulled or strain muscles but never a calf muscle so this is a bit new to me.
To those in the medical profession and/or to those that have gone through this already, I have a few questions.

1 – Is it normal that I can’t flex the injured muscle? That’s the part that concerns me the most. It’s not that I can’t flex it because it hurts, it’s jus that I can’t get it to flex.
2 – Do I really need to see a doctor? I don’t need any drugs for it, it doesn’t hurt that bad anymore. I am curious as ot how bad the damage is but I can’t really afford an MRI.
3 – Should I be on crutches or are the heel pads good enough?
4 - The hardness where the Gastrocnemius meets the tendon, is that normal?

Any advice would be appreciated. I’ll go to the doctor if I have to, I just hate spending that much money for someone to tell me to ice it and compress it.; Sunday, March 08, 2009 4:37:00 PM
Anonymous said...: Hi Ray,

Great to get your detailed insight on your injury. This seems like an MT junction rupture similar to mine. Although not told specifically by the ortho guy, I suspect that it is mostly the soleus. The ultrasound I had was more to rule-out a classic tendon rupture (operable), but MT junction diagnosis was after a very detailed clinical examination with lots of prodding around and movement. At 5 months I can only muster a half raise on the injured leg and likelwise wonder if this will ever truly get back to normal despite medical assurances that it will. I still have some atrophy from the immobilisaion phase, but obviously can't push the exercise needed to get the muscle form the same as the non-injured side. Like yourself, I had strong calf muscles from sport and hillwalking so I find the weakness frustrating. Have you noticed any atrophy as well? My specialist new that I was mad keen on sport, but insisted that this was not an operable condition unlike a classic tendon rupture.

I will be very keen to hear what your own specialist says, as I would want this repaired surgically if it can improve the outcome.

Don; Monday, March 09, 2009 5:23:00 AM
Anonymous said...: In response to:
1 – Is it normal that I can’t flex the injured muscle? That’s the part that concerns me the most. It’s not that I can’t flex it because it hurts, it’s jus that I can’t get it to flex.
2 – Do I really need to see a doctor? I don’t need any drugs for it, it doesn’t hurt that bad anymore. I am curious as ot how bad the damage is but I can’t really afford an MRI.
3 – Should I be on crutches or are the heel pads good enough?
4 - The hardness where the Gastrocnemius meets the tendon, is that normal?

1. If the rupture is significant you will lose power to flex the foot downward (don't attempt to push this or your will do more injury)

2. MRI may not be necessary as an experienced doc (ie for sports injury) will likely pick-up the extent and type of damage from a clinical examination. If you have lost power you should definitely see one.

3. If the rupture is significant, then some form of immobilisation or, at least not weight-bearing, nmay be necessary to let things heal initially.

4. Yep, my tendon from the calf to the heel was horribly swollen and inflamed...felt like a stiff rod.

Sounds like you have torn the muscle where it joins the tendon, but would really get this examined and proper advice.

Don; Thursday, March 12, 2009 1:00:00 PM
Dave said...: Hi Don,

Thanks for your response. I finally bit the bullet and went to see a doctor. I went to a Sports Medicine doctor as they seem to have more insight for muscle injuries.
He couldn't feel anything that concerned him but did suggest an MRI. He said we could do a week or two of therapy and see where it goes. If it stays the same when he would want to do an MRI to see what the problem is. He also said if money wasn't an issue he would do the MRI first to know what the problem was before starting therapy.
I think I'll eat "Top Ramen" for a month and get the MRI done. I'm not afraid of surgery if I need it. I just hate the stress of not knowing one way or the other.; Saturday, March 14, 2009 9:42:00 AM
Anonymous said...: WOW! After reading this blog I realized that I am "typical". I am a 45 year old female who was warming up to play basketball. I went up for the second shot when suddenly I felt extreme pain in my calf. I was sure that the other guy warming up behind me slammed me with the ball. Now I am not so sure. It has been one week and I am walking with a limp and it hurts more if I have been sitting or laying down. I just expected for it to be fine after a few minutes, then after a few hours, then I thought surely it will be fine after a week. I searched here because the pain is still here after one week. Now I realize that it's normal. Thanks so much for this blog. It has been very helpful! I did the RICE and was using a cane only the first day but I am going to do more of the stretching. Thanks to this blog maybe I will not beat up the guy who "whacked" my leg with the B-Ball.; Sunday, March 15, 2009 3:57:00 PM
Anonymous said...: I was so happy to find this site. I found all the stories a source of immediate relief, if nothing else to see what different things happened involving the calf muscle. I think I tore my right calf muscle about 10 days ago. I was doing a DVD exercise tape that I often use, and probably had the fateful BANG and POP sensation when I rose up on my toes or did a 'grapevine' style aerobic move. I was terrified, saw a doctor, in Russia, no less (because I work there for the moment), was told I tore the muscle and would need to be in a cast for weeks. I did the RICE thing faithfully, thanks to what I read on this site, then pretty much stayed off it for 4 days, though had to go up and down many treacherous stairs in my townhouse because each floor has a different room and this is inevitable.

I then left to the U.S., saw my orthopedic doctor who took one look at it and had me stand on my toes against the wall, which I could do, told me then it would be 6-8 weeks of recovery. I started PT, again thanks to what I read on this site, to strengthen both knees as one is weak and got a cortisone shot to eliminate some pain I was having in it, and the other knee hurts from walking weird because of the calf strain/tear. I have quite a bit of pain, still, in the calf, especially if I move it suddenly or have a twisting movement. So I'm not back to normal and am hoping that I'll be better in a couple of weeks. I love to exercise and taking time off has taken its toll already, especially with my heart racing more often than it has ever before --another cause for alarm. But I'm doing upper body workouts and doing a bit on the stationery bike. What I would like to be sure of is this, if anyone can help:

--Will I not hurt it more at this point or stall good healing if I begin taking walks between 10 minutes to 1/2 hour or longer?

--What should I avoid in the gym so as not to hurt it?

--No one can explain the tingling in both legs that started after this injury. Any ideas?

I am swimming and in the whirlpool and that helps.

May we all heal quickly. It's terrible to be in this state, both mentally and physically.

Bridget; Monday, March 16, 2009 6:48:00 PM
dancing queen said...: hi there... i;m a 36 year old fairly active woman. i love dancing and went to my weekly class and felt a 'pop' in my left calf.... sharp pain shot up my leg. I couldn;t put my foot down without extreme pain... My husband took me to >A&E , where they diagnosed a torn muscle in my calf, bandaged it up and told me to keep wieght off it for at least 3 days gave me crutches. i went doctors monday, he told me to get in touch with physio and took bandage off...i;m still on crutches and tryin to put weight slowly back on it. has anyone worked with this injury??? would be good to know how anyone has got on only i;m climbin the walls with boredom ere
thanx for listening.x; Tuesday, March 24, 2009 12:49:00 PM
AJ said...: It's been 2 weeks since my injury and I've been told I'll be wearing this giant black orthopedic boot for the next 6-8 weeks. I was playing soccer 2 sundays ago and just a minor change of direction caused me to feel like i got hit in the back of the leg by a rock and i felt a pop. I immediately started icing it and the next day i went to the doctor for an exam. He prescribed anti-inflammatorys and crutches. Then Thursday I went to see the orthopedist who gave me the boot. He said I tore my gastronemus calf muscle and i'd be out of commission for 6-8 weeks plus a few weeks of rehab/pt.

Its been 2 weeks and only recently have i noticed the bruising, swelling, and change of colors of my leg. My entire calf is stiff as hell and i cant put any weight on it what so ever. The mornings are the worst. Without moving it for 8 hours while sleeping, as soon as i put my feet on the floor my calf cramps for like 20 mins.

Does anyone know if an injury like this happens to be permament and if I'll be more prone to injury for the rest of my life? I'm very active and I'd hate for this to affect me forever. Any advice?; Thursday, March 26, 2009 2:21:00 PM
Anonymous said...: Well, here I am, back again. I'm on week 5 of the injury (my post is a few posts back on this site) and things are much better after going to PT (physical therapy) where they did ultrasound and massage on the calf each time, twice per week. I moved from having a bruise and inflammation to almost none of this, but the calf is still tight and I'm babying it a bit. I recommend the ultrasound and the PT for exercises they will give you to strengthen whatever is needed, in my case, both knees because my bad knees became much worse w/ this injury. I think the PT is crucial and to follow the exercises (do them!) religiously! I hope everybody heals fast and well! Bridget; Tuesday, March 31, 2009 10:57:00 PM
Anonymous said...: I injured my right calf muscle 4 days ago.

The day that it happened my youngest son decided to wallop me with a snow ball; we were ice fishing so I decided to get out of my chair and chase after him in hopes of catching him (I was wearing 10 pound Sorel boots and running in a foot of snow). Almost had the little rodent when I felt as though someone had chucked a snowball at my leg..I immediatly went down and turned to the group and asked if someone had thrown something at me (I was really hoping someone had).

I was carted off of the ice and brought to ER. The ER Doctor told me that I have a minor tear in my calf muscle and put me in a back slab cast and crutches.

Yesterday I felt as though things were getting a bit better and started to walk a bit (in my cast). Last night the cast bothered me so much that I took it off; well I woke up in the middle of the night in such pain and immediatly put the cast back on.

Today my leg is bruised across my shin and my ankle is crazy swollen. My doctor said if the pain wouldn't go away with meds to go back to the ER to check for clotting.

I am going to PT tomorrow and am eager to get mobile again. My boss is not impressed that I have missed any amount of time and I really want to get back moving. I can't drive and I have kids to chase after...well maybe not for awhile.

Hoping to heal up because camping, fishing and hiking season is just around the corner.

~K; Wednesday, April 01, 2009 2:13:00 PM
Anonymous said...: 1 week ago today I received a slight tear in my calf muscle.. I just started seeing black and blue on the inside of my foot right above the heal.. Am I at risk of anything if I go play soccer tonight?; Wednesday, April 01, 2009 4:33:00 PM
Alan said...: Don't play any soccer for 4-6 weeks, AT THE EARLIEST! If it is a true tear, then you are bound to aggravate the injury or make it worse playing after so short a time.

The first time I tore my calf, I too felt better after one week or R&R. Then, I jumped a bit to get going on a water slide, and le' OUCH!; Thursday, April 02, 2009 7:32:00 AM
Anonymous said...: I just googled torn calf muscle. I am 41 have been a avid runner most of my life never injured until last year. I broke my patella finishing 5 miles. No fall Just Broke. no surgery just immobilized my right leg. Anyway ... Almost 4 weeks ago I went outside for a 4 mile run. Did not stretch before hand. I was a mile into my run and my left calf got so tight I stopped. Warning sign! I tried to stretch it out but would not relax. So I walked home praying nothing too bad. Went to see my family doctor who thought maybe a calf muscle spasm or blood clot. 3 days later went to the gym thought I would jog on the treadmill to see if the cramp would return I started slow and felt good and all the sudden felt the snap.
I could bare my weight so I knew i didn't break anything. Jumped on the bike and was able to do that. 3 weeks later after blood work and ulta sound to rule out blood clot my family doctor sent me to the Orthopedic doc. who said I have a gastroc tear. He told me to warm my leg up heating pad calf stretches,advil, I did Rice and use ice sometimes. Also, said it was ok to swim or bike until it heals.
Orthopedic Dr. said bone heals w/bone,muscle w/muscle and so on...This calf injury I fell for Me is minor compared to my patella breaking into 2pcs.
I did not need surgery because the bone came together by staying off it however the recover was very slow. So now I have a little more hope knowing from my past injury to take it easy JUst listen to the PT people and the Ortho Doc which I felt gave me the best care Here at ST. Joe in Ann Arbor MIchigan. no knee jerk for the knife!; Monday, April 06, 2009 9:23:00 PM
Anonymous said...: Hi AJ,
Seems you've had a significant tear. If its any consolation, I've gone through the same worries regarding the long term / permanent aspects.

The muscle seems to have a really good capacity to repair, but this takes a very significant time if it is a bad tear at the outset. My ortho specialist and physio have both told me that it will eventually go back to normal, but that this can take at least a year.

Re-injury can be a problem and that has two components; scar tissue in the area of injured muscle and the fact that it happened in the first place may indicate that the muscle had lost its stretch and flexibility of youth. The area of injury may have some bumps in the muscle and that should re-model with time as the scar tissue aligns with the muscle fibres. Physiotherapy approved exercises will help this process. The scar tissue will take much longer to re-assimilate and that can be the source of further problems. In terms of flexibility, the physio will give stretching exercises that are really important, but don't push the bounds. Patience is everything!

If you are immobilised in the boot for that period of time (6 - 8 wks) you will likely get some shrinkage of the muscles (atrophy) due to disuse. This seems quite variable between people from not much to a noticeably thinner lower leg. That may cause some weakness not just in the injured muscle, but in other muscle groups which you will feel when the boot comes off. This is fully reversible and, again, the physiotherapy will provide you with graded strengthening exercises to help the process.

I am 6 months since injury (plaster and boot for two of them) and it is a long haul. However, I did my first gentle hillwalk last Sunday and that felt great. A little swelling afterwards and being careful not to push off too rapidly / vigorously on the uphill bits.

My consultant says 9 months total until I can play explosive sports again. Much as I would like to, I may opt for other forms of exercise - hillwalking / cycling / running / swimming and gym - as I really don't want to risk another episode in plaster.

If I do go back to badminton and tennis, then I'll do so with sports specific training from a sports medicine professional. This would involve graded plyometric regimes being added into the calf strengthening and stretching routines.

One thing for sure is that I will take more care of my calf muscle and achilles tendon complex in the future.

Hang in there and be patient, but be prepared to put the work in and adhere fully to the protocols given by the professionals and you should get back to full fitness in time.

Don; Tuesday, April 07, 2009 12:37:00 PM
Anonymous said...: Bridget here again. I'm into week 8 of recovery and my ortho said 6-8 weeks to take it easy then I should be back to normal. I was able to stay away from 4 levels of STAIRS for a month and now I am back in my living quarters overseas and four days into walking up and down loads of stairs inside, I'm aching a lot. I tore my right calf muscle while doing an exercise DVD, perhaps some sort of slight jumping, aerobic-type movement--hard to recall--was the cause of this. The worst is trying to get back to exercising w/ this fear it will happen again.

Should I warm the muscle before exercising --and I mean cautiously now doing DVDs for home use and treadmill walking and stationery bike--then ice after exercise, or or ? I am quite frightened to hurt it and it is aching just from routine going up and down stairs. Anyone?; Monday, April 13, 2009 5:45:00 AM
Anonymous said...: Hi everyone,
I am a 32 year old female fairly fit,yesterday i went to muay thai training as usual.I train 4 days a week usually 2 hours each day.As i was kicking with my right leg i decided to trick the bag and switch to my left leg and threw a kick,as i switched legs i felt a big pop and i felt a very tight pulling twisting feeling...very painful so much for tricking the bag haha.I hopped around finding somewhere to sit a couple of minutes later i noticed the swelling in my left calf so i wrapped it with my hand wrap,luckily my partner was with me to drive me home.Anyway i got home went on the net and found R.I.C.E and am using all these methods.I am unable to use my left leg at all, so i am using crutches at the moment,i plan on waiting a couple of days, if i don't see an improvement by then i will definitely be heading to the doctors.
Just wondering if any knows how long it usually takes for this type of injury to heal???
I've been a couch potatoe and am going nuts already, and its only my second day!!!!; Monday, April 20, 2009 8:24:00 PM
Sandi - tennis said...: 18 months ago it was a distinct pop on my right calf...thought someone had smacked me with their tennis racquet. 3 days ago it was the left calf and no pop this time but just as if something had come loose. Last time it took me at least 6 weeks of recovery and a boot. This time i'm walking in 2 days. Guess they can vary a lot. I want to go back to the courts though. :( So is there any nutrient we can take to make the fibers stronger and more elastic?; Saturday, April 25, 2009 1:54:00 AM
Anonymous said...: It is so nice to read everyone's stories, and know I am not alone. I am 40, and in decent physical shape. I pulled my calf muscle about 5 weeks ago, but it wasn't too bad. It seemed to get better, until I would strain it again. I did this about three times over the course of a month. It was slightly painful, but nothing I couldn't live with.

5 days ago, I was out watering the garden, when I heard the phone ring. I ran to grab it, and heard an audible pop from my left calf, along with sever pain like someone had hit me with a baseball bat. I knew I had really done it this time. I could barely walk to the house.
The swelling started almost immediately, and the pain was intense. I couldn't really walk on it at all without horrible pain.I went to Urgent care, where I saw a nurse practitioner. I told him the whole story, but he completely ignored me, and seemed to be focused more on the swelling in my calf, and was worried that I had a blood clot. I guess the symptoms are similar. Of course, that really freaked me out. He then brought back the M.D., who looked at my leg, and said it was indeed a muscular issue, and not a blood clot. He put me on the RICE treatment, and pain killers. I still have no idea the severity of my injury, and will see another doctor tomorrow.

5 days after the injury, I still have swelling, some bruising on my calf, shin and ankle. I have no idea how I got bruising on my shin. I can hobble around rather gingerly, but it's still painful. Sounds like it will be a 6-8 week recovery time.; Tuesday, April 28, 2009 3:07:00 PM
Anonymous said...: I had an ultrasound as was told i tore my gastrocnemius more towards the right of my muscle three weeks ago and have been on crutches since day one.The thing is i dont really feel pain where the tear is,it hurts more in the middle of my calf, half way up between my anlke and knee,when i try to put my heal on the ground i can feel a really tight pull and i cant go any further and thats whats stopping me from being able to walk besides the feeling of not having a gastro muscle in my leg.My leg is also bruised in the middle. Any advise would be appreciated.; Tuesday, May 05, 2009 2:02:00 AM
Anonymous said...: I am a 50 year old woman in fairly good shape. I recently had knee surgery in mid March. After, four weeks of taking it easy I started slow walking, practicing yoga and biking. Last week I did an hour of yoga on Monday evening and road 30 miles on an easy straight road. My calf started hurting on Wednesday afternoon and on Thursday morning I was back in the orthopedics office. I'm so frustrated. I've been taking it easy and using ice packs a couple of times a day. I don't have any bruising but the swelling in my foot and calf is terrible not to mention the pain.; Saturday, May 09, 2009 9:59:00 AM
Jeff said...: I tore my left calf muscle just over 3 weeks ago. It was while playing cricket and happened when I accelerated to start running. The feeling was as some people have described like someone through a ball into my calf.

This is the second time Ive done it and same leg, other time was about 3.5 years ago but do not think it was as bad then, I dont remember being sidelined as long as this time.

My leg blew up like a baloon, seems it was a bad tare, maybe grade 2 and possibly to 2 muscles. When I went to see the doctor originally he mentioned an MRI but stupidly I declined, thinking it was not that serious, in hidnsight I should have had one.

For the first few days I hopped around and thought it would clear up soon but after about Day 5 it got a lot worse, I could not walk at all and had to get crutches, in addition it was very painful and I felt completley lacking in energy and tired all the time.

After 2 weeks I went to see a physio therapist, I probably should have gone earlier. He did some light massage and suggested some excercies for trying to strengthen and stretch the muscle a bit. some of the tendens around my ankle had seemed to tighted up and I had trouble bending my foot, it was so used to the toes pointing downward.

So in week 3 I started to walk on it but still very gingerly and do some stretches. Last 2 days I probable walked to much and it is a bit painful today and slightly swollen so and trying to rest and use ice.

The phsysio thinks about another 5 weeks until I'd be able to do running or any kind of sport but Im not in a rush.

Having read through some of these posts I realise it takes time and not worth rushing as it seems easy to damage it again.

The physio is trying to do some massage to prevent too much scar tissue forming which leaves the muscle weakened, but sure there will be some.

Being the second time I am worried about it becoming cronic. Although I am 41 I still like to play sport and be active.

My recommendations would be use ice early and constantly while there is still swelling. And seek out a good pyshio or rehab professional.

Looking on the bringht side I have hardly been out for 3 weeks so saving a lot of money and haven't had a drink for 3 weeks, maybe longest time in my adult life so some forced detox.

Good luck to everyone, I will post my progress again.; Monday, May 11, 2009 6:58:00 AM
Anonymous said...: Hi this is to anyone that has torn a calf muscle,i tore mine 1 month ago was not able to walk on it for 1 month, doctors never gave me any type of blood thinning tablets just brufen...i ended up in hospital on mothers day not being able to breathe and passing out,they gave me an xray/ct scan as i waited for the results in emergency sitting on my bed hooked up to wires, the doctor came in and gave me the news i have two big blood clots (PE) one in each lung, a double wammy on mothers day...so now im home after 3 days in hospital injecting my stomache with clexane twice a day, and taking warfirin tablets to thinin the blood,so what i really want to say is make sure you keep your leg as mobile as possible even if it means just moving your toes and trying to circle your ankle, the only good thing that came out of this experience is that i am now crutch free and can use my leg again since being in hospital, i hope my experience can help someone else that may be going through the same thing....Wish you all well.; Thursday, May 14, 2009 9:13:00 PM
Mr. Bball said...: I found this site today by googling "felt like I was kicked in my calf" Last night after the injury I found an article about a soccer player that described what happend just as I did but looks like he was back playing pro soccer after 2-3 months his name is Brian Chang so I figured it was the same thing that happend to me. But this site has provided a great deal of information about variaty/severity of calf injuries and methods of treatment. So I know what to look for when I goto the doctor on tuesday. Thanks for starting the blog. Aright what happend to me was I was playing basketball which I have been doing regualarly 1-2 per week as its my passion. So it was a pick up game. I had warmed up, stretched some. Even stretched the calf on the wall, played one game full speed then sat down two games. Since these were less that 10 min. games I probably sat for 20 min. Started playing again then after about 3-4 trips up & down the court I was getting ready to run a quick cut so on the change of pace I think I stepped my left leg back then all of a sudden I felt like a ball hit me in the calf but I didnt' see any balls so I though somebody kicked me but nobody was that close. I hopped off the court there was intense pain. I hoped and got my stuff and drove home through the pain like a 45 min. drive that sucked but luckly it was not my driving leg. Went home did some reasearch while watching the playoffs and then grabed my trusty crutches from an ankle injury to the same leg about 5 years ago. The pain was killing me so I took some of my wifes vicoden that she still had from a surgery so I could sleep. Woke up today and felt a bit better. Going to stay on the crutches, have an appointment to see a doctor on tuesday. I'll be asking for an MRI. I got this medical account and if I don't use the money its gone anyway. I've delt with hamstring injurys and times with the calf muscle just seems so tired it stops working but never this its a first. Guess I need to really put those intense stretching exercies to use more often.; Friday, May 22, 2009 12:14:00 PM
Anonymous said...: Googled it and here I am. Am a high school teacher and last night played in the staff/student basketball game. Am 30 years old and pretty active. Running down the court in the 4th quarter and I thought, "who shot a rubber bullet at my calf." Hobbled home and went to see the doctor today. He said heat to get blood moving would be better since there was no swelling. I am ignoring him after seeing all these posts and am using RICE. It sounds like the swelling could take a few weeks. Hobbled around work today, more than a few students called it my "pimp walk". How long will I be walking like this? I have to go down the stairs sideways, and don't feel confident enough to carry my son downstairs. Will keep this updated...thanks for all the info; Thursday, May 28, 2009 8:23:00 PM
Adrianna said...: I am 43 and had joined a semi pro football team, and at the first league practice while doing high knee sprints, I felt a pop in my right calf. After sprinting another and finding the pain too much to bear, I sat out trying to stretch or rub it out. I left practice, did the RICE treatment for 48 hours, and then went to a sports medecine doctor. He perscribed PT, which reduced the swelling and pain, but when I put sudden impact on it, I feel part of the muscle moving around. Going back to the doctor next week to request an MRI. I am on IR for football this year though, and layed off doing in weight lifing on legs, and do a lot of mild stretching and low impact stuff (tread mill walks, bike).; Saturday, May 30, 2009 4:10:00 AM
Richard said...: I'm a 39 year old and decided to play some tennis last Monday. I used to play but not for some time. I arrived, did some stretching as my right calf did have some tightness to it. Began playing for about an hour and was loosening up some, was feeling good and just working up a sweat when all of a sudden, the "pop" or "whack" happened in my right calf! I thought someone threw something at me but after thinking that, I said to myself, that was no joke, that was my leg! Yikes!
I had no choice but to stop and hobble off the court. Headed home and called the doc. He said to do the "rice" method and have 3 advils for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I then did what he said. After a few days, it still felt bad but not as bad as monday. On Wed, I went in to have it checked out and was told it was a type 2 tear and recommended physical therapy. On Thursday, I went in for a physical therapy check up and scheduled a real session for this following tuesday. As I approached the weekend, the pain almost seems worse as I am beginning to see some black and blue spotting on my shin? Plus some swelling. I have been using crutches and have had to move around some, but am trying to keep it elevated with most of the days with resting. So, thats my story and duking it out until Tuesday for my first real physical therapy session. I am just a bit scared as it is more tender to the touch. This is not a pleasant experience as I have never had any muscular problems or broken items my whole life.
Richard from Lyman, ME.; Sunday, May 31, 2009 5:14:00 PM
Derek said...: To all of you with sore calves, you have made me feel a lot better. I wish I had found such a supportive community starting a few years ago! Six years ago, I hurt my right calf while bowling of all things, as I was taking my wind up and a step forward abut to throw a heavy ball hard. A year ago, I again felt as though someone had hit me in the back of my calf, this time my left one, during a tennis match with my older son. Today, I have a comparable, but much less severe, injury. This time it is at the base of my thigh muscle at the back of my leg above my left knee. I did this to myself sprinting across a street at the start of a jog, for which I had not stretched. I am 50 years old (which is still hard to believe), and am learning I have to be more careful about starting exercising more slowly and building up to what used to be normal speed. After about a month or six weeks my calves healed up and the black and blue marks disappeared. The injury I have now behind my knee is now disappearing and I am able to run again about normally after two weeks, though it constrains me from going fast. So, these injuries are something one can get over, but they sure are debilitating when you first do this to yourself. I send everyone my sympathy. Be in good cheer. You shall walk and run again! Hopefully, if I am careful I can avoid doing this to myself again by stretching and going at a moderate pace - thoughI have never gone bowling again since the day I injured myself that way. Bowling is just not that important to me even to experiment with tryuing that again, though I once threw 7 strikes in a row. Maybe I shall have to try.; Thursday, June 04, 2009 2:26:00 AM
Anonymous said...: HI everyone, I am back, I posted back in February about tearing my gastroc and tearing one head totally off and the other was just hanging by a thread- just by walking across a floor. Well my story has gotten more interesting over time. 2 weeks after the initial injury I developed Compartment Syndrome for which I was taken to the OR the day after the Orhto saw me.. I had a fasciomoty and a sural nerve neruolysis... Did well but developed contractures in my foot and ankle and was in PT. Then 5 weeks after surgery I developed an infection, was debrided in the office, sent for an MRI- next day back to the OR to clean it out... and put on antibiotics. At my post-op visit the drainage smelled and I had necrotic tissue so I was admitted to the hospital - had 3 more surgeries in 5 days to clean out the infections and IV antibiotics, in the hospital for 8 days.. Now it is just shy of 1 month being out of the hospital and I am spiking a fever and the leg is red, hot and swollen AGAIN... I know that I am an extreme case... BUT when will this cycle end. It has now been 4 months. This board has been very helpful and I really appreciate everyones postings!!; Thursday, June 04, 2009 7:57:00 AM
Lisa Rogers said...: I am a 46-y.o. who is in pretty good shape. I found this great blog and appreciate everyone's input. Last evening, I was walking our 7-month-old pup who is 45 pounds. Well, a cat was on our front porch. She went for it, and I "followed" rather quickly. I've had some pain in my right calf for a couple of weeks that would come and go and got really bad once when running. Last night, however, the "pop" came on during the dog-to-cat chase. I ended up getting into our front door, which wasn't easy with an excited puppy, and called to my husband for ice. I found I could "walk" on my knees back to our bedroom, and did the R.I.C.E. method after my husband googled my injury. I will see my doctor this afternoon. I sure hope this isn't a grade 3 injury. I am so surprised that this injury is so well-written about! Hoping this finds all readers on the mend or on their way to full recovery!; Monday, June 15, 2009 9:25:00 AM
Patricia said...: hey there alan, i work in aged care as a carer and 2 weeks ago i woke up with a cramp in the rt calf muscle, ok it got better so i thought than i start to exercise on the aerofit machine cool doing well went to work the next day cool muscle a bit tight but still thought it was ok had my day off then back to work did an 7half hour shift walking the wards of the nursing home n then i went to take some dirty bags of linen to the pan room n i heard a pop down i went. ended up at the doctors next morning had a ultersound for dvt clear n had to wait till monday for other ultersound for the muscle. i new something was wrong but we always think it will be ok. and i did not know about the poping sound until i went to the doctor n from reading the net.
well i dont know yet how bad it is until tues 23 june09 oh im 49 and think i am still in my 30s ha ha.
but reading yr blog i now feel better knowing how easy it can happen and what to do thank u; Sunday, June 21, 2009 10:49:00 PM
Anonymous said...: Great, great site. I've enjoyed reading all the posts and wanted to share my experience as well seeing as how it has been over 3 years since my calf muscle tear. I'm 41 and have always been very active and in good shape (surfing, hockey, running). I was helping an ex move and spent all day going up and down 2 flights of stairs carrying heavy things. That night I felt a slight twitching in my left calf but ignored it. The next morning I went surfing, no stretching beforehand and was about an hour into my session. I had just finished riding a wave in to thigh high water, turned to paddle back out and jumped up onto my board and I seriously thought a fish had rammed into my leg. My other thought was "shark" but I quickly discounted that. I surfed another wave in but realized something was seriously wrong. After limping back to my car and calling a personal trainer friend of mine I realized what it was. He had me ice it down and take ibuprofen and suggested I stay off it for a few weeks. After a few days I had a good amount of bruising around the tear. It was difficult to walk as it was healing, the stretching on the calf felt like it was tearing it all over, so I really babied it for fear of making it worse. After about 6 weeks I felt comfortable enough to get back to my normal routine. (Sidenote: About 2 years ago I also pulled a hamstring muscle running) Now, no matter what I'm doing I always warm up a bit with a light jog, then stretch out my calf and hamstring well before engaging in anything physical. I still play hockey and run and neither injury bothers me too much as long as I stretch beforehand. Functionally, I'd say the calf is about 90%. I do feel like I've slowed down a bit, but I can't tell if it's from the injuries or my age (or the fact that the 18 year olds in our league are just skating much faster). Sometimes when I'm not exercising, just walking around and decide to do some fast maneuver I feel a slight twinge in my calf and it freaks me out a bit. The calf muscle healed slightly shorter than the other side. It looks almost like it's "squared off" where the muscle tear was. Other than what I've mentioned it has healed great and doesn't slow me down much at all. I think it's just a wake up call to (begrudgingly) acknowledge I'm not in my 20's anymore and even though I feel the same mentally, my body is isn't.; Tuesday, June 23, 2009 7:30:00 PM
Bill said...: Wow! Great site! I decided today, after injuring my left calf muscle one week ago, to get on the net and see what info was out there. I found this site and found a large majority of people experienced the same exact symptoms. I turned 51 on June 13 and am active. I like to try and run three miles everyother day and bike 15 or more miles once or twice a week. I also play slowpitch softball, which is how I injured my calf. I arrived to the game in the top of the first inning and did not have time to stretch out, which I ALWAYS do normally. I got a base hit and eventually ended up on third base. The batter hit a hard grounder right down the line at me and I instinctively pushed off with my left foot to avoid the ball and BANG!! I thought I had gotten hit on the back of the calf
with a softball. I looked around and saw nothing but my third base coach. Then the pain hit and I was unable to walk. I did hobble over to the bench and duct taped a bag of ice to my left calf. I couldn't believe my luck. I hadn't been there for twenty minutes and I was injured. I also just got over breaking the little finger on my right hand last September while playing catch with the football. It didn't heal properly, so I ended up wearing a splint until just last month. It has straightened up and looks a lot better, but I still cannot bend it to where it touches my palm. Oh well.

Back to the calf. I went home after we lost the game and directly to the couch. It was hot that night and we had not turned on the a/c yet. I was laying on the couch under the ceiling fan with ice applied. I started getting the chills and thought I might be going into shock. My son turned off the fan and got me a blanket. The chills soon went away and I woke up sweating a lot. I eventually made it through the night tossing and turning.

I went to the doctor the following day. He advised I had a torn calf muscle and prescribed an anti-inflamatory. I go back to see him on Monday (06/29). I have been elevating the calf and icing it down. I can hobble around on the heel as long as I don't try walking on my toes. Yesterday we noticed a large bruise on the inside of my left foot right under the ankle. A foot doctor friend told me this was from the bleeding of the torn muscle. The pain is nothing like it was the first day I injured it, but if I am out hobbling in the yard and step onto some higher ground with the injured leg, my pucker factor increases dramatically and I yell out in pain.

After reading some of these posts I think I will ask my doctor to send me to an Ortho or maybe get an MRI. I don't want to mess around and find out later there could have been more done to help heal my injury more successfully and faster. Especially, if surgery may be needed. The really bad part is I am on vacation. We have already had to cancel one trip to the lake for some camping and boating. We have another outting planned for 07/05 and I am NOT canceling that one. I am sure my kids (ages 14 & 19) would understand, but it is their vacation too and I am not letting them down again. Everyone will just have to pitch in and help more.

I think I have gone on long enough and I apologize for being so long winded. I will let you all know what happens in the coming weeks.

Thanks,
Bill; Friday, June 26, 2009 10:25:00 AM
Alan said...: I also am amazed at the amount of people afflicted by the good old torn calf muscle. I am a discgolfer, and one of the movements we make is a lunge at the basket that we putt our disc into. Apropriately it is called a jump putt. So on fathers day 2009 I was playing a league doubles round and had a 40 ft jump putt in front of me, so I lunged at the basket and snap, ouch! I was down! I rolled around for about five minutes and thought it was the end of my discgolf career! It has been 7 days since the occurance and I can walk fine, but I can not jump putt or tee off. I am 45 years old, never had an injury to my legs of any kind, and play discgolf daily for the last three to four years. I went to the doctor the day after and was told I have a level 1 tear, the worst part of this is that the 2009 World Championships are 30 days from this post, I dont think it will be healed by then. nice to see all the info on this blog! thanks...Alan"upshot"Brown; Saturday, June 27, 2009 11:48:00 AM
Bill said...: Ok, this is an update of my original post back on 06/26/09, in which I described how I suffered a painful injury to my left calf during a softball game. I went to an Orthopedic on 07/02 and after he had me face down on the table twisting my left foot around and squeezing from my calf down to the ankle area, he told me he had some good news. He said I had sustained a "Plantaris Tendon Rupture". He said this was better than tearing one of the larger calf muscles, but it would still take some time to heal. He has prescribed the dreaded boot for me to wear whenever I am out of the house. I have actually been wearing it the majority of the time anyway and my leg feels better. I hope he is right in his diagnosis. He came to this conclusion without an MRI, or ultrasound pictures.

It has been three weeks, as of yesterday, and the swelling around my ankle has finally subsided. I can see my ankle! The pooling/bruise of blood around the bottom of my foot has almost completely disappeared. However, my calf is still swollen slightly and I have pain in the upper part of the large muscle, but not constant pain. I am wondering if this is where the rupture of the Plantaris is. I was unable to get into PT until next Thursday for ultrasound treatment and a myofacial message. I am suppose to do PT 1-2times a week for 3-4 weeks. We will see how it goes. That is it for now.; Friday, July 10, 2009 8:03:00 AM
Anonymous said...: Funny I was searching this wonderful world wide web for torn muscles and I come across your blog, are children are in the same Soccer Club!!!........ :); Monday, July 13, 2009 1:06:00 PM
Anonymous said...: Softballer age 41 F...
Love this site! Very helpful stories that relate to my own.

While playing softball last double header of season (play two nights week) and running to second on my hit to right field, pushed off left leg and felt like a bad cramp "hit" my leg and pain was bad with any weight. Made it to bench and sat for while and pain got worse. Off to ER.

At ER - Torn calf muscle diagnosis. X-rays to verify no bone fragments w/tear. Received vicodin for pain and RICE suggested.

Next day went to Sports Med spec. and received compression sleeve (great!), boot, and anti imflam. prescrip.

Happen to be off to beach which is both blessing and curse...great to be off the leg for most part with family all around to help. But sand...no way!

Today is day 6 and still on crutches and using compression sleeve (don't really like to wear the boot). Extremely worried that I am going to pull/tear good leg. Sounds like a waiting game, but am hopeful can walk ok within week.

Does anybody have suggestions for good exercises or stretching routines that help?; Wednesday, July 15, 2009 12:39:00 PM
Anonymous said...: Like many others, I was so glad to find this blog. May 4, 2009 I was simply walking across a ditch. I felt the most intense pop in my left calf. I immediately turned to look behind me as I thought someone had thrown a big rock at me. I grabbed my husband for support because the pain was so intense and radiating up my leg. He thought maybe I had been bit by a snack, searched for teeth marks then helped me hobble to a bench. When he saw the the tears, he said he knew it was serious. I was a very active teenager, breaking both ankles and tearing the ligaments in both as well. I had never felt pain like this before. I couldn't straighten my leg out or put weight. After two hours, my husband carried me to the car and drove me to the ER. The nurses immediately began trying to straighten my leg for xrays. I told them I had broken a lot of bones and knew it wasn't a break. They insisted and eventually came back with a partial tear. I was nonweight bearing for 10 days. After about two - I could stand to put some weight so switched to one crutch. The leg swelled up huge. My ankle was the size of a softball, I'm guessing from blood pooling. I couldn't wear socks or dress shoes at all. I am an elementary principal - about 4 weeks after the initial tear, I had a student try to run out of our school. My immediate reaction was to go after him. Two steps and I knew I tore it again - this time it was a vertical tear starting from the horizontal one. I really rested but once again went through the swelling and blood pooling. It has been over two months. I started walking 15 miles a week two weeks ago to try and get back in shape. The left calf pulls so bad - tonight was the worst which is what sent me here. I was afraid it was going to "pop" again. I don't know what else to do - the doctors keep saying it needs time - but good grief this is ridiculous. One guy wrote that it was like getting hit with a bat - I told my police officer husband that I imagine this is what being shot feels like.
Best of luck to everyone out there - this injury stinks!; Wednesday, July 15, 2009 8:04:00 PM
rottweilerjohn@yahoo.com said...: i was kick starting my Harley when my foot slipped off the pedal, of course simotaniously the motor back-fired causing the pedal to slam back up into my calf at about1200 lbs per sq-inch ....and that is excatly like getting hit with a baseball bat in the calf. i cant afford a doctor so i dont know where i stand (ha-ha)with this injury...rottweilerjohn@yahoo.com; Friday, July 17, 2009 8:04:00 AM
Anonymous said...: m.b.f/u, manager come and want to call ambulance, I refuse. It was totally hillarious how I had to be moved from this table to the emergency exit to the suv awaiting to take me to the e.r. once seen in the er: diagnosed calf tear/rupture splinted and sent to ortho given same diagnosis and give Ortho boot/ crutches for 8 weeks and no P.T. which I still question.my concern is its been 4 months now and I still have swelling / tenderness to that leg will it ever go away....?; Friday, July 17, 2009 10:44:00 AM
Derek said...: I was going to add in my one earlier comment on this site that I found it to be helpful, based on personal experience, to say swear words whenever putting any weight on my leg with my torn calf muscle, and I stopped myself. Now, however, there is new scientific evidence that wat I did not say is true! See http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/science/sciencenews/5803300/Swearing-can-reduce-the-feeling-of-pain.html and, Thank You, Steve Colbert, for bringing tihs to my attenton. See
http://www.colbertnation.com/home July 16 episode. I again extend my assurances to you all that, after experiencing these injuries twice, I know that after several weeks of suffering, maybe two months, you will get back to normal. So, express your opinion about your pain, and keep your chin up!; Sunday, July 19, 2009 4:20:00 AM
Bill said...: I wanted to direct this to the Anonymous Elementary School Principal. I know you said in your post you went to the E.R. initially, but have you been to an Orthopedic Specialist? I would trust the Ortho's diagnoses more than an Emergency Room doctor's. No offense intended to all the wonderful medical doctors out there! This is what Ortho's do!The Ortho can also give you an MRI, or use Ultrasound (way less expensive) to see the extent of the injury, which sometimes requires surgery to repair. He may also suggest you go to a Physical Therapist for rehab. which sounds like a good idea in your case. Your injury sounds serious and may not be healing properly. When you tear a muscle, scar tissue forms. Scar tissue is not nearly as elastic as the muscle tissue. Also, when the muscle heals, it will likely be a bit shorter than before the injury and therefore more prone to re-injury if you are not careful. If you are not getting the proper treatment and rehab, it could become a chronic problem. Go see a good Orthopedic Specialist. Hope this helps!

I have been recovering from what my Doctor thought was a tear to my large calf muscle. After a visit to an Ortho he diagnosed my injury as a "Plantaris Tendon Rupture". This is better than tearing the calf muscle, but it still hurt badly and, like you, I thought i had been hit on the back of the calf with some object. In my case I thought it was a softball. I had a lot of swelling, from my upper calf down to my ankle, and a lot of blood pooled around my foot under both sides of the ankle. I injured my leg on 06/18 and I still am not walking normally yet. I still wear the boot about 90% of the time and will do so until I go back to the Ortho tomorrow. Most of the swelling has subsided and the blood has disappeared. I have only gone to PT a couple of times, but it feels better. The ultrasound heat treatments and myofacial message feel great. I go back to the Ortho tomorrow to see if I am healed enough to go back to work. He told me three weeks ago he doubted i would be ready to go back to work by 07/22. We will see. Good luck!; Tuesday, July 21, 2009 8:42:00 PM
Anonymous said...: I'm a 55 year old female in moderate condition. I'm quite heavy but am in the process of losing weight and becoming more active. My injury occurred while walking across my front yard. There is no grass in the yard - just dirt and a few weeds. My right foot caught on a clump of dirt and I felt myself starting to fall forward. I struggled to catch my balance and all of a sudden I felt a pain in my left upper calf, below the knee. It felt like a severe charlie horse. I was still trying to break my fall so I couldn't do anything about it just then. I ended up falling anyway, and just laid there for a while, waiting for the pain to go away while I caught my breath. After my cats came and checked on me and confirmed that I was still breathing, and the red ants started my way, I decided it was time to get up. The charlie horse was still there but I was able to get up without a problem. I was able to walk but certain movements made the pain worse. I still wasn't sure if it was a muscle cramp or an actual injury so I kept moving around for about half an hour, trying to walk it off. When it became apparent that it wasn't a cramp I went into the house to lay down and put some ice on my leg. We have a split level house and walking up the stairs was one of the most painful things I've ever done. What was even worse was when I went to lay on the bed and leaned forward to move my pillow. The leaning forward stretched my leg and the injured muscle and gave me a whole new kind of pain experience. This happened Friday night. I did ice treatment - 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off - for several hours. I also took a narcotic pain killer that I had been taking earlier in the week for a tooth removal. I stayed in bed as much as possible for two days. Saturday night I tried putting a Ben Gay patch on the calf. It helped some but wouldn't stay on. I can't find my Ace bandage or I would have wrapped it. I can't find my medical tape either. Note to self: a first aid kit doesn't help if you can't find it. Sunday morning I coated the area with Icy Hot, took a prescription ibuprofen, and slept the day away. Sunday evening I took a long hot bath, which seemed to do more good than anything. After the bath I applied an herbal cream called Traumeel and took another ibuprofen. I applied the Traumeel again this morning.
Saturday I was hardly able to walk at all. I used crutches when I had to (at least I knew where they were!) but mostly I just hobbled very slowly and carefully. Turning corners was the trickiest part. Turning the leg or stretching it made the pain increase, as did flexing my foot toward my knee. By Sunday I was able to put a little more weight on it. This morning I am able to walk almost normally but still have to be careful of turning. By Saturday morning bruises had started to appear. There are three bruises that look like somebody squeezed my leg really hard with their hand. Since this happened on a weekend I didn't want to go get medical care unless it was absolutely necessary. Since I could still walk I didn't feel it was necessary. I will continue resting my leg as much as possible and applying the Traumeel cream. And if I ever find my Ace bandage I will wrap it. Other than that, I figure it's just a matter of time.
For about ten days before this happened I had been doing a lot of yard work. I was moving rocks, trimming trees, cutting down small trees, removing fence wire and fence posts, and raking dirt. I never injured myself once. Just before I injured myself I had been using a shovel to move a railroad tie. I think I had just used my leg muscles so much that they were tired. When my right foot caught on the dirt and threw me off balance, it put extra stress on my left leg and caused it to twist, thus causing the muscle tear. I'm just thankful the muscle didn't tear completely. I don't think my cats would have been able to carry me into the house and up the stairs and nobody else was home.; Monday, July 27, 2009 11:45:00 AM
Anonymous said...: I'm the one that posted last. I had my husband take me to get a new Ace bandage for my leg and it helps tremendously. I can walk much better today but still can't take long steps. Stairs are still very difficult too. The bruising seems to have spread. I'm a little concerned about a potential blood clot since I've had one before. But I'm on aspirin therapy and I'm watching the leg closely.

Maja; Monday, July 27, 2009 7:18:00 PM
Anonymous said...: Here lies a foolish tennis player who didn't warm up properly before a strenuous game. In the third game I acclerated for a drop shot running from the baseline. Pop! Gripped by pain in my left calf.I just knew that I did some damage. I couldn't walk off the court, ended up in A@E where I was told that I have a bad tear in my calf.Rest and elevation plus Difene twice daily.When will I Walk without severe pain?On crutches.; Thursday, July 30, 2009 4:12:00 AM
Anonymous said...: It's been eight days now and I thought I would be more healed than I am. The initial bruising has spread down and up and over - pretty much covering the entire back of my leg. That concerns me and I'm wondering if I made a mistake in not going to the doctor when this first happened. However, the pain is in the same place so I don't think there is any further damage. It alternates between a deep ache, soreness and itching. The itching makes me feel it's healing. I hope that's true. I still limp when I walk and stairs are still painful. But I can flex my foot now without causing additional pain. I'm putting Icy Hot on it at night, using the Traumeel Cream during the day, and wearing an Ace bandage whenever I'm up and moving around. I'm still trying to rest as much as possible and use a heating pad whenever I'm laying down. The only thing I haven't done is elevate my leg. Perhaps that's why the bruising has spread?

Maja; Sunday, August 02, 2009 12:21:00 AM
Anonymous said...: Bill,
This is the elem. principal again - thanks for your post. I actually made an appointment to go back to see my primary care doctor for a referral. I go on Friday because the pain and tenderness just isn't getting better. Tomorrow will be 3 months since the initial injury and I'm tired of gimping around. I have found I can only walk on flat surfaces - any incline at all and I'm in trouble. I have a feeling they are going to tell me scar tissue because I can now feel knots in my calf - the swelling still comes and goes in my ankle - sounds like we have a similar injury. School starts in 1 week - I have to get this taken care of! Best of luck to you!; Tuesday, August 04, 2009 5:03:00 PM
Anonymous said...: i was coming downstairs yesterday when i did a sharp turn and felt summit pop , i couldnt walk all day my calf muscle and my toes swoll but today although slightly painful and limping im walking do you thin+k i pulled a muscle or what from really sore yesterday i cant get over the change so quick; Sunday, August 09, 2009 12:28:00 AM
BaldEagle90 said...: Just like everyone else on this site - it is reassuring to find that this is so common! I was playing tennis 2 days after my 42nd bday when my able opponent (my 4.5 year old - he can volley and has a natural wicked two handed slicing backhand)hit one wide and as I accelerated and then stutter stepped to get my feet right to hit a backhand, I had the sudden "ball peen hammer to the right calf" that everyone on this board has had. I thought at first my 10 year old on the other court - practicing his serves with my wife - had come over the top and nailed me perfectly in the calf. Nope. Just pain and swelling and hobbling back to the car. The mother of all Charlie Horses? - 6 hours of ice and elevation proved that wrong too. Some quick Google work led me to believe it was a torn calf and the immediate care MD the next day confirmed it. No Achilles tendon tear and just treat it with RICE - I was told. Unfortunately we had a summer trip planned the next 6 days and there was a lot of walking around - so not a lot of R in the RICE
formula. But stretching,icing, elevation, and wrapping it got the swelling down. Now, 7 days later, I have bruising on the foot - both sides below the ball of the ankle. Minimal swelling in the foot itself - i can't see it, but notice it when a shoe is on. And the calf is VERY tight, but minimally swollen with no bruising.
I can quickly loosen it up by tretching it out. Toes flexed to shin. 10 seconds each. Doing 10 reps. Then I do the classic "push against the wall with one leg back stretch" - slowly and lightly. (I couldn't do this until day 4 or 5). So like many here, I can now limp around. The last part of a natural step - pushing off on the ball of the foot - is still a no go. And pulling the leg up so the bottom of the leg dangles from the knee down (like sitting in a chair, but mimicking this action without the chair) is very painful. The leg can't support the weight of the calf pulling on the leg. If I wrap it though, I can do this with no problem.
So what have I learned - I'm better off than many here on this site and feel fortunate. That being said, I'm going to get into an ortho this week to have it all formally checked out. I need to get this resolved by Christmas and skiing season! On the bright side - Tiger Woods has been in contention on Sunday the last two weekends and this injury has given me a fantastic excuse to sit here for four hours - alternating rest and stretching - and watch him play. Wait till next year for my golf game. I'll write back on what the ortho says.
-; Sunday, August 09, 2009 1:36:00 PM
Anonymous said...: I suppose misery loves company..it appears that a lot of people are stricken with this. Don't ge me wrong this is not life threatening but after 10 months of training for duathlons i am pretty pissed.

Last october I was running a 5 k after 20 miles on the bike and noticed that familiar pop with sever pain in the middle calf. I stopeed running and kept to the bike almost exclusively until winter. I think I ran a few months later without pain.

Fast forward to a week ago and I am in final preparations for a key duathlon. I have been running 15 miles per week and cycling 125+. 45 minutes into my run I feel that pop again and go down like a sack of wet cement...vulgarities flew and I limped home....now I am concerned....

Had a massage and it did little so went to the ortho. Not good news. Tears in the achilles/muscle attachment area... he will not administer cortisone to get me through the competition and he said several months of rehab will be needed with the "hope" that may run again....vulgarities flew . He was patient and I am mad....

There goes almost a year of training down the f@%*@$ tube.

I guess I will start my rehab this coming weekend.....the self pity has been fun...; Wednesday, August 12, 2009 12:21:00 PM
Anonymous said...: Ok people I never thought there were so many people with the same symptoms and injury. 7 days ago I took off my flip flops to run across the parking lot in a huge storm. I had to go down 3 steps and I thought I will go very slow so I dont slip...I pointed my toes on the left foot and touched the step and immediately got a cramp but lightning struck and my 9 yo daughter screamed and I picked up the pace and planted my heel on the step...POP what a noise I immediately went limp with this leg and hopped to my car on the right foot dragging the leg hollering out I broke my leg..OW! I got in the car and started driving home and noticed I could hardly move the leg and was in pain. My daughter started crying and I had to hide the pain from her so she would stop crying. I got home and waited for my husband to get home from work and with a smile (daughter watching) said probably need an x-ray. Got to ER and Doc looked and said tore muscle no xray was done but put ace and do rice.Day 6 saw ortho surgeon who put on a pneumatic aircast!!! Holly Molly did that hurt, I cried, sweated and almost fainted. I got home and took it off. It squeezeed my swollen calf and I could not even put my foot flat in the boot because Iam only able to walk on the balls of my toes (injured leg) and use crutches. Had MRI today but no results for 2 days until f/up so that will be day 9 and to me is frustrating that this process has taken so long and this could be a serious injury. I also coach cheerleading,going to college starting next week and really frustrated because I think this injury was to easy to do and makes me think I should not ride my bike anymore or do the WII. By the way my calfs are nice and tight as I was a dancer for years so this was the last place I thought I would injure.Will follow up after results. Still cant put any weight on leg, can straighten it but no pressure. I cant push down with the heel...it wont move..scared about surgery noone said to move it some, use heat or ice now or what.Iam elevating alot.Thanks for all the other blogs it was a comfort.; Wednesday, August 12, 2009 5:19:00 PM
Bill said...: Ok, I am back. I have posted a couple of times on this site. Once to the Elem. School Principal. I would like to hear back from you to see what the ortho found. I wish you had gone to the ortho much sooner! Not knowing the extent of your injury of course, by the 12th week, you should be pain free and walking normally. With me, it will be 10 weeks when I finally get back to work on Sept. 1.

As for myself, I have been off work since rupturing the plantaris tendon in my lower left leg on 06/18/09. I got out of the boot about three weeks ago, but still no running, or GOLF!! Went back to the ortho on Aug. 11th and he advised everything was progressing as planned, but I was not ready to go back to work yet. I am a police officer by the way and the doc told me I was not ready to chase after bad guys. :( He did tell me to continue with PT for three more weeks and I should then be ready to get back to work on Sept. 1. He told me I could start jogging a mile and to do some jumping type exercises in PT. I also do some stretching at home with a large "rubber band", as well as toe raises.

I asked the doctor why it takes so long to heal this injury. He told me it depends on the extent of the injury. In my case, he said it was pretty severe and we needed to take it slow and work on getting the "slow twitch" fibers of the muscle/tendon back in shape, as well as stretching the scar tissue that is now present where the tendon was torn. After going through PT and home exercises for the past six weeks, I have become virtually pain free. He said now I can start working on the "fast twitch" fibers, which involve running and sudden movements. He said after about three weeks, in my case anyway, I should be good to go.

I ran for the first time yesterday and it was great to get out on the road. I have not been able to run for nine weeks!! I started bicycling, with boot on, for 15-17 miles at a time because I was tired of not being able to workout. I started doing this in week three or four, I don't remember.

Anyway, it appears I am close to the end of the road of recovery. I never dreamed it would take SO LONG to heal. In my 51 years, I have broken several different bones, pulled both the quad and hammy in both legs, and even runover by a car, but I don't think any of the past injuries had me down this long!

I hope everyone on this site heals quickly and please, IF AT ALL POSSIBLE,go see an orthopedic specialist, a/s/a/p. Don't rely on an E.R. doc, or primary care physician, to diagnose your problem. Get a second opinion and some PT (Physical Therapy)! Trust me, you will be glad you did.; Friday, August 14, 2009 11:08:00 AM
Bob said...: Well I suppose I'll add another story. I'm 32, have never been in great shape, but I've been playing basketball at a local gym for about 5 years, twice a week.

In early July, I was playing, and my calf muscle severely tightened up, and I sort of played through the pain for a couple of weeks.

I decided to stretch it out really good on Jul 21, and it was feeling good. On our very last game of the afternoon, we were 2 points away from being finished, and as described by other people, I could have sworn someone hit me with a golf ball in the back of the leg.

I turned around and saw nothing however. Didn't take long to figure out what had happened. Anyway, I was on crutches for 4 weeks, completely unable to put any pressure on it without severe pain.

Luckily it seems the Gastroc didn't tear completely away from the tendon, but I do have a pretty good bunching of muscle in that area where it tore away. I saw a specialist, and he had actually done the same thing to his leg years ago (he showed me). He said surgery wouldn't really help it heal better, and I just had to wait for scar tissue to build up and form where the muscle was.

I asked him if I would still be able to play basketball on it, and he said yes, it would be fully functional. Estimates from another doctor had me on crutches for 7 weeks (so I felt good about the 4), and back to full strength in approx. 3 months. Hopefully I'll be able to play ball again before my birthday (Oct 26). I'm guessing the bad news will be that my vertial leap goes from 3" to 2" :); Monday, August 17, 2009 12:54:00 PM
Steve G said...: nice to find this blog...maybe some folks can give me some insight into my injury.

About 7 weeks ago, I was playing softball and while running from 1st to 2nd I felt like someone had hit the back of my leg with a bat.

I limped off, turns out I tore my calf muscle. I went to the Dr the next day, they confirmed it was a bad tear but not in need of surgery. After a day or 2 more the top and side of my foot filled with blood and I had the famous purple foot.

7 weeks later, I went out to play golf, thinking that my calf hadn't hurt in like 5 weeks so I am sure I am better. On the 16th hole, I hit an approach shot and ping...my calf popped. This time I stopped playing and did the RICE thing, and it appears better.

My question is, when can I get back to playing softball and golf? Will this thing ever be healed?; Tuesday, August 25, 2009 4:57:00 AM
Cindy said...: it was interesting reading all these posts...I however was just stepping down from my bathtub after changing the liner and pop went my leg last Saturday. taking care of it myself with ice and advil and it has been a week and just now I am getting some bruising and still kinda limping, hopefully I can walk properly Friday as my daughter is getting married...it is a weird sound.; Monday, August 31, 2009 6:56:00 AM
Anonymous said...: Hi Bill,
Elem. Principal back with an update! Interesting. I didn't get the best of news from the ortho - for anyone else out there reading this - insist on an MRI - ER docs just don't know what they are talking about! I didn't have a torn calf "muscle." The soleus tendon was torn. To make it worse it tore at the juncture of the achilles and where the large calf muscles come together. Ortho couldn't believe I had been walking around on it for nearly 4 months. I too am now in a boot. I'm not even allowed to walk from the bed to the bathroom without it on. Basically told each time I take a step - the fibers in the tendon are pulling further apart. the tear is now 8 cm. 4 weeks in the boot -reassess - if healing start some major therapy. If not -have to look at more invasive procedures.
Thanks for all the great info on this site. This is potentially a very serious injury that uneducated doctors downplay. I too have broken both ankles, one of my thumbs five times, broken my nose twice. (all sports injuries) This tear was by far the most painful of them all. Best of luck to everyone - it is a long haul!; Tuesday, September 01, 2009 4:44:00 PM
TKD Girl said...: Wow - I am assuredly not alone! I searched out this blog to find out what I could about similar experiences to mine. What a gold mine. I appreciate all of the input from everyone, your stories have helped. I have a question or two - but here is a quick run down on my case.

I am a very active 36 year old, I train in Tae Kwon Do and have even competed at a national level. I train about 4 - 5 times a week, and teach classes in between. I stretch very well before every class and focus on my warm-ups. I am amazed that this has happened to me. All I can figure is over use?

I was in class preparing to complete an outside axe kick. I was simply bouncing in place and suddenly it felt like someone shot me in the back of my calf. I literally thought that someone had accidently kicked me full force from behind. I turned to see who had and the pain became overwhelming and took me straight down. I couldn't move the leg, much less the foot. Even when they tried to carry me out, the slightest movement or weight shift of my leg was excruciating. This pain way outweighed the pain I experienced when I broke my left lower leg. Just for reference, I have a pretty massive tolerance for pain - I broke the leg, finished the sparring match and took a gold medal. So this was really something new to be set back by this kind of pain.

After the trip to the hospital and stabilization, they felt sure the achilles was torn in two. Next day, off to the Ortho. He wouldn't even touch it - straight to MRI. The MRI showed micro tears all up the achilles (bright white on an MRI) and the medial head of the gastroc torn 3 inches worth. Ortho said the tear was deep through and put me in a boot with crutches. It has been 4 weeks and I am just now able to bear tip toe weight on it.

Started PT 2 weeks ago which is miserable fun. So now here is the question. The PT gradually had me work up to a new exercise. It is called a concentric heel raise and basically requires you to place a very small amount of weight on the injured leg to come down from a raised position. I tried it and it was very painful, my whole calf shook like crazy. The PT stabilized the calf and asked me to try it again while he held onto it. I did, it hurt. He said to go ahead and give it a couple of reps (5-10) each day at home. Of course, I did. Something popped and now not only does the original location hurt, now the top of my calf hurts as well. There is no depressed "hole" at the top like there is at the bottom where the inital tear was. However, the bruising is back and there is renewed pain.

Has anyone else experienced this? Can the calf tear from both ends? It seems like I am never going to get back into the gym. Any ideas on how long this takes to heal?

Thanks so much! TKD Girl; Saturday, September 05, 2009 7:53:00 PM
TKD Girl said...: To Duathlon Athlete:

Boy oh boy do I ever feel ya. Nine months of competition training down the drain. Nationals for 2009 has come and gone. Well, there is always next year.

TKD Girl; Saturday, September 05, 2009 8:11:00 PM
BaldEagle90 said...: I'm the guy who popped his calf while playing tennis with my 4 year old. A quick update. It's been 40 days since the incident. The ortho confirmed I tore my planteris tendon. He made a comment that that tendon is really a left over from when we evolved and is usually used as a replacement tendon for injuries to the knee, elbow, or write. He prescribed RICE. And to take 325mg of aspirin to make sure that blood clots don't develop.
3 weeks later I checked back in with him and he said the only purpose of the follow up was to make sure flibitous didn't set in. So 40 days out, the swelling is gone as is the bruising. I can walk normal and even played 9 holes last week. The calf gets tired from this activity but horrible pain and hobbling is gone. I have yet to run on it. I'll give it a full stretch out and try the length of one block soon to see how it does. Again, I feel fortunate after reading some accounts here and will never, never, never, attempt any sort of physical activity without fully stretching and warming up again. It's just not worth it.

PS Found out my 40 some neighbor up the street did the same thing 4 months ago playing in a 30+ lacrosse league. It is everywhere.; Friday, September 11, 2009 10:47:00 AM
anika said...: I have only read a few comments , and it did not take long for me to realize that I am not the only aging adult that refuses to believe that age is not nearly just a matter of mind, it is oh so very real! I have not played softball in about 3 years, and was excited to get back in the grove on my co-ed team after several years of change in all aspects of my life. Softball always brought a lightness and joy to me. I played in hs, and college and brief periods in between, but I am about 40lbs heavier. I am a 38 year old female. Still very young at heart according to my highschoolers who tell me to stop trying to be so cool:-) Anywhoo, on with the story. I, like most of you, did not stretch. My thought process was simple, dumb but simple. I was thinking this is softball not anything to strenuous no need to waste time stretching I was way too excited for that. I did decide to warm up my arm and threw with a team matefor about 5 minutes. I felt something in my right calf, that felt charlie horse-ish but not blatant pain like the onset of one,it was more like the pain that you feel after the charlie horse or a really bad series of cramps. Moving quickly into the meat and potatoes of the story it was my first up. I went and prepared for my offensive stance. I recall my calf feeling better but still not quite right. Despite that brief thought I went up to bat with one out and one on base. The ball comes and I swing and as I twist I somehow manage to hit myself in the calf with my softball bat in the right calf exact place of the earlier charlie horse-ish episode. I immediately wanted to collaspe, I mean my right leg simply gave out on me.I had to get a DH and I limped over to the bench in shame. Humiliated...I was.What are the chances of two injuries in the exact same place within the frickin hour? OMG it was so painful, but not painful enough for me not to take the hint and sit things out.I actually did pretty good on 1st dove for a ball or two, prevented some key plays from occuring. I dont know if I dove because of instinct or if I dove because I would rather skin my knees than have to scramble over to get the grounder with my "screaming for mercy" calf injury. So so sad! Unfortunately, we were leaving right after the game to go to Raleigh, NC which is a 3 hour trip from Charlotte to the State/Pit game. Yes, you guessed it this happened just yesterday. As a result of me not listening to my body, I got to miss the tailgating and the game and hang out in the hotel...by myself. Its a good thing because I heard that it was about a mile and a half walk from the car to the destination and then we were seated second from the very top with an agressive incline. I would have never made it. I barely got to my hotel room in which I lugged my bags, and myself from the parking lot of the Marriott all the way(and I mean all the way, it was so far or seemingly so) to the front desk. I woke up this morning still in pain which led me to get my "google" on. I am conerned because I have a biz trip to Dallas (no not a fan, go skins)by myself and have a layover in Hotlanta....which will require lots of walking. Is there a chance that if I stay off of it that I will be able to have a successful trip without pain or further injury? Should I go to see a Dr. and beg for crutches or one of those hoovaround thingys I see on Tv? I will say that I have a new respect for my body! Geesh we only get one! In the beginning I noted how softball always brought joy to me? Well, there is a fine line between joy and pain. Anika; Sunday, September 27, 2009 4:48:00 AM
Anonymous said...: Great info. I think I've received more information from this blog than anything I found on Google. My story...tennis. I'm a 51 female who has fallen in love with the game of tennis. I'm not overweight, but not in shape. I don't sit around much, but don't do any stuctured exercising and have always had tight muscles. We were playing out last match for our league last night. Into the first game I was turning to retrieve a ball when I thought someone hit me in my right calf with a ball. I started looking around (imagine how funny that looked). I wasn't in a lot of pain until I tried to walk on it. Luckily one of the gals that was playing was a PT. She explained to me what she thought I did and told me about the RICE therapy. So, that was last night. I'm sitting on the couch reacquainting myself with my laptop. I'm hoping for a quick recovery because I am starting a new job in 2 days. I'm bummed about now being able to play tennis for awhile!!!; Friday, October 02, 2009 11:15:00 AM
Bill said...: Ok, after being off work for ten weeks I am finally healed. I went back to work on 09/01 and feel great. I am back to running and doing everything I did before EXCEPT for playing softball. I am taking the remainder of the season off and will give it a try next year.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL, I am so glad to hear you FINALLY went to an ortho and got your problem figured out. Sorry to hear it was not good news and I pray you are able to heal ok without surgery. Let me know how you are progressing! I know one thing for sure....that stupid looking black boot, aka; the frankenstein boot, sure did make a difference. I wore that thing everywhere! Good luck!! To everyone else out there....GO TO AN ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON to get diagnosed for these types of injuries. You will be glad you did.; Monday, October 05, 2009 11:42:00 AM
Anonymous said...: I'm on a dance team and I was just at practice about a half hour ago. We were doing turning toe touches and I noticed a feeling like my calf muscle popped in and out or tweaked kind of. It happened a couple years during dance too only it wasn't as bad this time, last time the doctor told me it was a stress fracture, but thats not what it felt like. It's not too painful right now although im sitting and havent really tried to put pressure or anything on it but I was wondering if this has happened to anyone else?; Monday, October 05, 2009 8:33:00 PM
Anonymous said...: This post has really helped me understand the pain I felt when I heard the POP in my right calf muscle. I was dancing at Oktoberfest in Germany and the pain was severe, but I kept dancing for only a short while. I needed to be helped to the car, using my boyfriend for support. I'm 38yrs ols and am in fair shape, doing yoga regularly. I kept off the leg most of the next day, only taking small slow baby steps. The injury occured 5 days ago, I continue to walk on my leg and feel improvement but still can't walk with a regular gait. A bruise never showed on my skin. I'm hoping to see some more improvement throughout the coming days.; Thursday, October 08, 2009 12:31:00 PM
swilson2 said...: What a great blog list of comments. I found this while Googling. Here is my story. I am a 39 year old mother of 3 and have not worked out in about 12 years. I won a contest to get a trainer, nutritionist, ect for 18 weeks in order to learn how to work out and eat healther. But it's a contest still, as we, my team of 14 competes against another team of 14. So after working out 6 days a week, for 3 weeks, I felt really good and was down 14lbs. (45 to go). In the middle of a "contest" I took off running from a dead stop. And felt what I thought was the worst charlie horse of my life. But again, it's a contest. I completed my round by hobbling to a elipticle machine and doing that for 5 mins. I could not put my foot down all the way, so I used my toes. (STUPID)I hobbled back and tried to shoot a basketball to end my round and when I came down on my leg it colapesed. Well it's a week later and I can walk with a on a treadmill at 2.8 speed with no pain. My trainer started me on "foam" rolling each day after excersising and when I wake up each morning. I have alot of brusing (middle calf to back of ankle). I am not trying to push myself to get back to heavy interval training, but am wondering how long this will take to heal? I hate losing all that ground I was gaining. Also shold I wrap my lower calf when I work out?; Friday, October 09, 2009 5:23:00 PM
Maureen said...: We were reading all of the comments on the torn calf muscle. My husband is 66 yrs and injured his golfing but his symptoms were different. He was hiting the ball and twisted his body- he flet something in his knee. No pain. Later tht day his knee swelled up and he went to the doctor. When the doctor touched his calf- he was in extreme pain. They xrayed his leg and did an ultra sound for blood clots- all negative. It happned 3 wks ago and his foot is still swollen and purple and very painful. The calf also still hurts.
Any suggestions?; Saturday, October 17, 2009 12:36:00 PM
Anonymous said...: Jennifer-
I am a 37 year old mother of 4. More than a month ago, I ran a 5k harder than I should have. Three days later, Sept 29th, I was coaching my sons under10 soccer team and I stepped back with my right heel and went to change directions with the ball. I heard a pop and had to be carried off of the field and taken to the er. The pain was equivilant to child birthing pain...I had to use my lamaze breathing to get through the waiting in the er. I was given an xray to rule out damage to the achillies. I was given crutches, vicodin, 800 milligrams of ibuprofin, and muscle relaxers.I was sent to the ortho. I went to ortho who said it was a Gastroc tear and perscribed pt. I started pt 2x a week with stim, lazer therapy, heat, and then stretches. After 4 days I chose to limp without crutches. At that point I was finally able to use the ball of my foot to get around. I was not able to put my heal down without level 10 pain and my muscles giving out from under me.
....One week after the injury, I started driving and being able to pretty much walk. I would be sore at night. I had a hard time on steps. But I was healing...
This is the part I am confused aobut. About the 1.5 week point, I would walk into PT and hobble out. The nights after PT I would cramp all night long needing. I just assumed this was normal. I even started to need to take the muscle relaxers again and once a vicodin. I was concerned so at 2.5 weeks,I went ot the otho. and she said I needed ot stop PT and use heat and keep taking the 800mg of ibuprofin. I stopped PT, this was 2.5 weeks after the injury. A couple days later I am in severe pain again in the evening and somedurring the days. It is a hollow pain and also cramping. The cramping is sometimes a sharp small twitch to a bigger squeeze. I limp most of the time. I was sent for an ultrsound to make suer I did not have DVT 2 days ago...nothing showed. Today I called the otho and requested a boot, because I cannot rest much and need to take care of my family. I hope it helps.
I am going to request an MRI on Monday when I see the ortho again. I dont' know why I am in more pain now than I was 1 week out from the injury. I am concerned it is worse than thought at first.
Thanks for this blog.; Friday, October 23, 2009 7:45:00 PM
Jacque said...: I am in great shape mainly by running. I work in Special Operations and was participating in the quartly Defense Tatics class. i was preparing to do a kick to a bag with my right leg back. All of a sudden I felt a severe pain in my right calf and fell to the floor. I observed my calf muscle ball up. I thought it was a charlie horse but after 1/2 hours of massaging it the pain just increased. Now I have never been hurt in my life (really blessed with a healthly body) so i guess the time is now. After an MRI one doc told me i may need surgery and one told me i did not. i tore it in 2 areas on each side that the muscle attaches to the tendon. One of them was considered a "Major" tear. Any ideas??????; Wednesday, October 28, 2009 1:51:00 PM
kevin said...: Well here goes my story. I am 30/m and was diagnosied with Diabetes and told by my phsyician that I needed to lose weight and a lot of it. I started a strict diet and then a strict workout routine. I was working out 5 times a day when I was drafted into a church league basketball team. I played several games no problems then in one game cramped up severally and did the RICE thing and was fine. Returned to game and was okay for three or four more. I then in the fourth quarter of a game felt the pop and heard it as well as it felt like someone shot me in the back of the leg with a CO2 beebee gun. Did rice again and felt fine. Basketball ended and I went back to weight lifting and cardio training. As I was on the treadmill running felt a surge of pain and decided to cut the workout short. Went home and while sitting on the couch noticed what looked like a pant seem in my muscle. Pain was severe and moving from my ankle to my knee. Went to Dr he confirmed my worries that it was torn and quite badly he was not prepared to say whether it was a grade 2 or 3 but scheduled appointment with orthopiedist immediately. I go today at 3. Dont be like me listen to your body I possiblly made something that was not bad very bad.

Kevin
10/29/2009; Thursday, October 29, 2009 7:48:00 AM
Anonymous said...: Thank you for this post, it has confirmed what I suspected. I have either Grade 2 or Grade 3 tear.

I was out yesterday 10/31/09 playing a very mild game of tennis against a ball wall, the ball was about to go over my head and I jumped up to grab it. I cant say if the pop happened on the way up or down, but I heard a 'POP!' or SNAP..and literally felt something unravel in my right calf, like a wound up rubberband was cut and wiggling inside of there. I could barely hobble to the curb to sit down., I just kept unleashing a barrage of obscenities that would embarrass a Merchant Marine, I think I made up profanities that do not exist in the English language, perhaps I was speaking in tongues. At any rate, on a Saturday of course, ended up in "urgent care" which is another way to say, wait 4 hours while we treat others with runny noses and headaches first. The pain at first was unbearable, worse than giving birth and a lot less rewarding. However, as the hours passed in not-so Urgent Care, the acute pain was replaced by achiness and numbness in my toes and behind my knee. I think I feel a dent in the back of my calf, but it's so tender and swollen, I cant really say for sure.

Last night and today, I can only walk on my toes, with crutches. I cannot bear any weight at all on my heel, nor can I even attempt to put my foot flat on the floor.

I will be calling my doctor Monday in hopes of a referral to an ortho asap, because I know this is bad and I want an MRI or CT scan to determine just how severe this tear is... from reading these comments, sounds like I have months of PT and taking it easy before I am back to playing around again... heavy sigh...; Sunday, November 01, 2009 12:18:00 PM
Derek said...: Hi there. I did the same thing to myself a year and a half ago, playing tennis. In my case, I needed a cane to keep weight off my injured leg for a week. I could walk only by pivoting on the heel of my foot, not my toes, so as not to stretch the torn muscle. So, what you wrote surpises me. Anyway, if your experience goes like mine, you'll be limping for 6 weeks, then walking normally. After a couple months, you'll be able to jog lightly. Recovering takes a lot of patience. I did not go for medical help myself, but simply hobbled around. I had done a similar injury to my other calf a couple years earlier. At the end of the day, it seems one just has to let a number of weeks, and perhaps three months, go by while your body heals itself. I know the pain you are having, and it is a good ocassion to use obscenities. I have learned the value of stretching before exercise. But, I am glad to say I was able defeat my 16 year old son in tennis in August this year. So, there is eventually a full recovery to be had. I do think that those months of hobbling around weakened my legs. So, when I began to run again, I got a sore hamstring in my opposite leg for some time, which became a separate problem. I'd say it took 6 months to be back to full strength in both legs after that tennis injury. Best, Derek Bloom; Sunday, November 01, 2009 10:42:00 PM
Annie said...: Thanks Derek...

Update 5 days after injury - MRI results are in (which took a lot of convincing and pleading to my doctor to even get) and it shows a rupture of the plantaris tendon and a grade 2 tear of the gastronemius muscle, plus tendinitis, edema etc... my right inside ankle, is now a cankle and its very puffy and green from the edema and internal bruising. I still cannot put any weight on my heel, because it stretches my calf and hurts quite a bit...which I realize is the opposite of many other's who have the same injury, but ???.... I have PT today so I am on the road to recovery - thanks for the blog opportunity. Annie...; Thursday, November 05, 2009 8:48:00 AM
heather said...: Last Weds. I tore my calf muscle while playing volleyball. I stretched up on the ball of my foot and as I made contact with the ball to hit it over the net (my back was towards the net so it was a bit of a strain) I heard and felt a snap, like a rubber band. I instanly grabbed my calf and told my teammate I hurt my leg. The game was stopped and they asked if I could walk, I tried to take a step and collapsed on the floor. ER doc did a splint and 2 days later the military base doc had me go down town and get a walking cast (or air cast) i keep my leg elevated when I can, but I am a mother who needs to get things done. My calf and heel area has bruised and my knee down has swollen... My ankle is 2 times almost 3 times the size of my other ankle. i can get around okay but not the greatest. i hobble. i have to be driven to go to college since my car is a standard. I have no muscle tone in my leg as well.. i can flex it pointing away from body but can not towards my body. My question is, should i seek more help for my calf to see if i could get a MRI or what ever to see the muscle to see how bad it is and also is it normal to swell? thanks for any help!; Saturday, November 07, 2009 3:09:00 AM
Ogriv said...: I do hoopdancing for fitness and am a 36-year-old female, not particularly athletic apart from regular walking. I decided to concentrate on lower body moves for the first time last Saturday (8 days ago). I was experimenting with jump-throughs, where you twirl the hoop on the hand above your head, bring it down, jump through it and then return it to above your head.

Despite lacking flow I was pleased at how the early jumps were going and then I changed to the left side. As I landed from the jump I was aware of a sharp pain and I thought that my hoop had somehow dislodged and catapulted a rock into my calf (impossible as the hoop was travelling away from me). I even looked for the rock for a few seconds!

I nearly passed out as I realised I suddenly couldn't use my left heel at all. Sat down, drank some water, and then had to limp home for 15 minutes with my hula-hoop over my shoulder.

It was a cold day, I should have warmed up, but I'm used to hooping being a low-impact activity.

I did RICE for the initial 48 hours, got crutches from the doctor who told me to keep wiggling my toes, and I've a follow-up appointment tomorrow. I hope they offer me physiotherapy, but a friend of mine who is used to such injuries says it's much too early to start rehab and I must just rest.

I have gained no extra mobility in the 8 days since the accident, and can only put my left foot on tiptoes. I'm in bed all weekend, but at work/college Monday-Friday, though I try to stay seated when possible - am mostly in office/lab.

No bruising as yet. The lack of functionality means I'm self-diagnosing it as a Grade 2.

I hope I get decent treatment (my doctor is a standard British NHS GP). I can't really afford private treatment, but I suppose I could make a fuss and ask for physio. The leg only hurts if squeezed or if I try to flex the foot. It is stuck in a pointed position. I feel twinges in the muscle, not of pain, but like something reorganising itself. I wish I knew how far to rest or rehab. I'm erring on the side of caution with rest and I just hope the doctor is a good one. Really don't think I have the cash for a private physio.

Anyway, good luck to you all. Seems like a very varied injury. I think the best advice is to rest, however boring it might seem.; Sunday, November 15, 2009 11:01:00 AM
Ogriv said...: Hi this is an update from the hooper who left the last comment. Still not much change in the leg and it's now two and a half weeks since the injury. I've been interested to discover a bigger range of motion than I thought I had. Although to get around I have to use the afflicted leg on tiptoe, I can actually lower the heel a little from this position.

I got the idea of exploring the pain-free range of motion from a website called http://saveyourself.ca/

There's some really good evidence-based advice on there from a scientifically minded massage therapist. Many articles are free and you have to pay a little for specific tutorials. He also inspired me to try alternating hot and cold water jets on the leg and I think that might help. Good luck to one and all.; Monday, November 23, 2009 4:12:00 AM
imjasonn said...: I've read a lot of comments and there's a theme. Regardless of how much damage and regardless of how disabled you may be after the injury, the doctor won't suggest surgery. I haven't found an exception. If you're one of those rare cats that tore fibers and had them repaired, I'd love to hear about it. I'm seeking a remedy and it's not with my ortho.

I hear a lot of "may require surgery" and then "third degree tear, but doesn't require surgery." Unless it involves a knee or tendon reattachment my impression is that only professional athletes receive surgical correction.; Sunday, November 29, 2009 3:51:00 PM
Ogriv said...: It's me the hula hooper again. Well just over 3 weeks since my injury I can walk slowly across a room without crutches. And I think I have the physiotherapist to thank for this. Mine was only a small tear, but I certainly couldn't think about walking until she rehabilitated me. The muscle is still very tight, especially in the mornings but she thinks I should be able to go out without even one crutch in a week or two.

Everyone's injury varies in severity. I think rest at the beginning and RICE is mandatory. But get yourself to a physiotherapy ASAP, as without attention by a specialist, the strange hobbling around that you do can compound the injury and make the muscle grow back in strange ways. So yes, rest, but see a physiotherapist!; Monday, November 30, 2009 11:19:00 AM
Acecool said...: 1st time ever! Torn Calf Muscle for sure!

3 days ago, I was out blowing leaves, stepped out and quickly around a vehicle that decided to back up toward me and "BAM", immediate pain right in the center of my right calf muscle. It hurt so bad, I reached down to feel if there was a hole from a gunshot wound. Thank God it wasn't, but still, the pain was severely excruciating. I had to hobble with my right leg extended out toward the right as I used my left leg to get back to the house (30 yds away). Figured it was a torn muscle and not a strain as the pain just kept on coming. My wife brought me a heating pad and some "Icy Hot". After a few minutes, I figured the pain was only unbearable by walking on it or extending my right foot upwards, so I felt no need for an ice pac. However, I decided heat is suppose to bring more blood to the damaged area and figured it would help repair the tear faster. After the second day I was able to walk on it a bit, but still very sensitive. On the 3rd day, I can walk almost at normal speed, but still hobble around keeping my right leg somewhat extended without too much bending. The more I walk, the easier it gets, and less prone to pain. I don't put any pressure or too much weight on it! Hoping I'll be good to go by the 7th day. Haven't taken anything for the swelling as I figured it's swollen for a reason and leave it alone. BTW, I turned 52 last November 09', weight about 230 @ 6', so I figured my injury was due to lack of exercise, gained upper weight my calf muscles aren't used to and had been walking around at a fast pace that particular day to meet some deadlines.

Moral of the story? Stretch out before starting your day, drink plenty of fluids, and Heat seems to do me good and no where near the pain I felt from the first day. Grab a fluffy pillow, place the heating pad on it, cradle your calf on top of it, crank it up as high as you can stand it, and turn on the T.V. or read a book, your going to be their awhile.; Tuesday, December 08, 2009 3:14:00 AM
Anonymous said...: Guess I'll add my 2 cents to the pain and agony....tore my gastroc by simply stepping off a small platform where I work (no more than 15" high) foot hits the ground and pop - you know the rest - I'm 56 not a bit overweight - run 3 miles/day and am very active - constantly on my feet - the horrors of aging must be upon me - 2 1/2 weeks of rest and PT - the swelling and 'purple foot" are receding - I'm able to get around w/o crutches a bit - but I was told by ortho that I am looking at 4 months before I run again - that hurts - hope I can do some biking to pass the time - Must confess it is a very painful injury - worse than any broken bone I have ever had - good luck to all - do your PT and stretch; Wednesday, December 09, 2009 2:46:00 PM
Michelle said...: Hello, I am a 33 year old female and I also found you via google. I am a mom of 3 including a one year old who occasionally still likes to be picked up and carried and taken out for walks on her stroller.

I felt a tear in the back of my calf muscle while doing some cirquit bootcamp training at a park. It was early morning, cold outside about 39 degrees. I was late so didn't stretch and was paired up with the trainer who is stronger than me. She wrapped bands around my waist and I had to run and pull her behind me as she resisted. I had done these a few times and it was the last time when I felt an instant tear, like a guitar string that is stretched and then coils to the bottom. I instantly fell on the ground and could put no pressure on my leg. I had to be carried to my car and driven home. I went to the doc who suggested a RICE I then went to see an ortho who wants an MRI. He said people get better with and without surgery and since I don't want surgery I just decided not to get the MRI. This happened on a Wednesday and it's now Monday so it's been a few days. I can rotate my foot a little more. I received an ortho boot. I want to walk again, run again, pick my baby up again and wear heels again. When????; Monday, December 14, 2009 9:12:00 AM
Anonymous said...: It is great to have a resource like this blog to compare with my personal injury. I was playing tennis on sunny, but partially cloudy December day here in Los Angeles. I am 57 years old, in decent shape, and play tennis several times a week. While waiting for my tennis partner to arrive I stretched. We had already played 8 games, so this was not the result of a cold start. I went back to retrieve a long backhand shot and returned to the court to retrieve my opponents shot. While facing the back fence I felt like I took a shot of a tennis ball to my right calf, just below the knee. I remember thinking why would my opponent have hit another ball at me. I went to the ground to assess the damage. There was little pain when pressure was applied to my right calf, not much difference between that same pressure to my left calf. I tried to stand up and put some weight on my foot before I decided to call it a day. The pain was not intolerable but I had to drag my right foot to get to the car. I immediately applied ice to the calf, 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off for a couple of hours. I did not take any pills because the pain was tolerable. By evening I felt good enough to go out to dinner and did so. I limped to/from the car but not too much pain. When I got back home more ice. Sleep went OK without medication. It is now the morning after and the swelling of my right calf is very noticeable. I can walk without great pain, but not normally. I am still icing and elevating to reduce the swelling. I feel some sensitivity just behind my right knee. I can point my toes straight down. I can also point my toes up but I do feel it in the area of the injury when I point up. No plans for a doctor’s visit, just RICE, unless things change.; Monday, December 14, 2009 11:02:00 AM
Ogriv said...: Can I just say to recent posters... I don't know the severity of your injuries, but in most cases there are two stages: the healing of the muscle, which needs RICE treatment and some rest, but then quite quickly you need physiotherapy so that the healing happens in the right way.

Do not make your body do exercise it isn't ready for as you will re-injure yourself, but do make sure you consult with a physiotherapist at the very least, who can give you graded exercises to do to get you back to normality, right from tiny range of motion exercises to learning how to run again.

I got off the crutches after 5 weeks, myself, but still have to do special exercises to lengthen the healed calf. I really commiserate with others who have various versions of the same injury.

Also see the website saveyourself.ca - I found it very useful on muscle strains.; Monday, December 14, 2009 2:59:00 PM
Yetta said...: Ok obviously I got here via google after several months (yes i said months) of frustration, internet searches and even looking up orthopeadic journals...

My story is fairly consistent - at time of injury (March 09) was an active 35 year old female - played competition squash 3 times a week. Suffice to say during a relatively relaxed squash game muscle went pop and I went down. Heaps of pain, minor swelling and no bruising.

I did all the right things - immediate RICE, saw my doctor following day. Ultrasound confirmed an 80% tear to gastroc and was referred to ortho that recommended "conservative management". 4 weeks in plaster in equinous position, 7 weeks on crutches and 5 months of twice weekly physio. During this time I followed medical orders and never attempted anything beyond a relaxed 3 km walk. Got to a stale mate with physio recovery - as I was still suffering pain I couldn't progress with exercises. Have maintained the existing
exercises at home. The muscle just didn't seem to be improving beyond walking (with increased pain with stretch and duration).

Is now 9 months after original injury- I have not had any specific/reoccuring trauma but have been experiencing increasing pain over last 2 weeks. I returned to dr. in which an ultrasound confirmed the original tear has not healed. In the past week pain has been increasing, have resumed a limp and have had to return to crutches and NS aids. My dr has refered me back to ortho to order an MRI but ortho is simply saying we don't operate on partial tears and go back to physio....

I feel am going around in circles and getting very frustrated... appreciate any advice...; Wednesday, December 16, 2009 6:48:00 PM
Acecool said...: For one, NEVER! TRUST A DOCTOR! Put your trust in GOD, and if you don't believe, well then, Your on your own. K.I.S.S. is a good rule of thumb....KISS = "Keep It Simple Stupid as they say"). Or basic COMMON SENSE! Here's what you do.....

Heating pad for a minimum of one week! Stay rested, and don't put "ANY" pressure on the damaged muscles for at least 5-7 days. The heat (not ICE), will bring more nutrient rich blood to the area and cure time will be much faster. After all, it's only torn muscle, not a broken leg, ligaments or tendons.

After what I went through, Swelling, Major Pain (felt like a gunshot wound), and couldn't even put "ANY" pressure on it for the first 4-5 days, the heating pad (as hot as I could stand it) did WONDERS! SAVE YOUR MONEY! Unless you need surgery. And you'll know if you need surgery if the muscles were completely severed and will bunch up above and/or below the calf. OR! Your ligaments/tendons were severed (highly unlikely), and you'll know because the pain will be isolated above or below the calf.

btw, Haven't met a doctor yet that did'nt put his pocketbook before the patient. Sure they care! But sad to say, Money Talks in this day and age.

As God was quoted from the bible..."Trust In Man, God Will Curse You" - Just because someone has a couple plaques on the wall, or popular, doesn't mean he has integrity nor the aptitude.

Ten days I was walking on it with a bare limp, 11 days...NO LIMP! Still tender though...I give it a few more days for full recovery. Call it faith or luck if you want to, but mind over matter and the old age remedy to apply heat works wonders.

Again! Save your money/insurance/time/hassles, It's not Rocket Science...It's a Torn Muscle! ;); Thursday, December 17, 2009 2:31:00 PM

«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 286 of 286 Newer› Newest»

Alan's Place

Monday, August 06, 2007

Torn Calf Muscle Redux

286 comments:

About Me

Links

Labels

Blog Archive