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. ]
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??
ReplyDeleteDon-- 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
ReplyDeleteMy 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.
ReplyDeleteWhippeteer
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.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
Hi Ray,
ReplyDeleteGreat 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
In response to:
ReplyDelete1 – 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
Hi Don,
ReplyDeleteThanks 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.
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.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteI 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
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
ReplyDeletethanx for listening.x
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.
ReplyDeleteIts 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?
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
ReplyDeleteI injured my right calf muscle 4 days ago.
ReplyDeleteThe 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
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?
ReplyDeleteDon'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.
ReplyDeleteThe 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!
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.
ReplyDeleteI 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!
Hi AJ,
ReplyDeleteSeems 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
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.
ReplyDeleteShould 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?
Hi everyone,
ReplyDeleteI 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!!!!
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?
ReplyDeleteIt 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.
ReplyDelete5 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.
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.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteThis 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.
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.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteGoogled 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
ReplyDeleteI 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).
ReplyDeleteI'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!
ReplyDeleteI 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.
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.
ReplyDeleteHI 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!!
ReplyDeleteI 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!
ReplyDeletehey 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.
ReplyDeletewell 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
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.
ReplyDeleteWow! 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
ReplyDeletewith 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
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
ReplyDeleteOk, 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.
ReplyDeleteIt 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.
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!!!........ :)
ReplyDeleteSoftballer age 41 F...
ReplyDeleteLove 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?
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.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck to everyone out there - this injury stinks!
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
ReplyDeletem.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....?
ReplyDeleteI 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
ReplyDeletehttp://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!
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!
ReplyDeleteI 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!
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.
ReplyDeleteSaturday 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.
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.
ReplyDeleteMaja
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.
ReplyDeleteIt'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?
ReplyDeleteMaja
Bill,
ReplyDeleteThis 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!
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
ReplyDeleteJust 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
ReplyDeleteformula. 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.
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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.
ReplyDeleteLast 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...
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.
ReplyDeleteOk, 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.
ReplyDeleteAs 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.
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.
ReplyDeleteIn 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" :)
nice to find this blog...maybe some folks can give me some insight into my injury.
ReplyDeleteAbout 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?
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.
ReplyDeleteHi Bill,
ReplyDeleteElem. 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!
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.
ReplyDeleteI 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
To Duathlon Athlete:
ReplyDeleteBoy 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
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.
ReplyDelete3 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.
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
ReplyDeleteGreat 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!!!
ReplyDeleteOk, 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.
ReplyDeleteELEMENTARY 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.
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?
ReplyDeleteThis 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.
ReplyDeleteWhat 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?
ReplyDeleteWe 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.
ReplyDeleteAny suggestions?
Jennifer-
ReplyDeleteI 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.
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??????
ReplyDeleteWell 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.
ReplyDeleteKevin
10/29/2009
Thank you for this post, it has confirmed what I suspected. I have either Grade 2 or Grade 3 tear.
ReplyDeleteI 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...
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
ReplyDeleteThanks Derek...
ReplyDeleteUpdate 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...
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!
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteDespite 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.
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.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
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.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
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.
ReplyDeleteEveryone'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!
1st time ever! Torn Calf Muscle for sure!
ReplyDelete3 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.
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
ReplyDeleteHello, 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.
ReplyDeleteI 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????
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.
ReplyDeleteCan 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.
ReplyDeleteDo 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.
Ok obviously I got here via google after several months (yes i said months) of frustration, internet searches and even looking up orthopeadic journals...
ReplyDeleteMy 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...
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.....
ReplyDeleteHeating 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! ;)
These stories certainly give me some hope, but here goes what is happening on my end. Five months ago I was running to 1st in softball and I thought the bat hit me in the back of the leg. I soon found out that this was not the case. I could not walk for a week. Severe pain when getting out of bed and swelling for 2-3 wks. This was with multiple physical therapy sessions and taking care of it at home. Now, 5 to 6mths later, I have no pain in my calf. However, there is an obvious deformation of the area of the tear. My concern is this...will this muscle fill in over time or have I permanently damaged my calf muscles due to improper care at the time of the injury? I lift weights quite a bit and it is embarassing to have this visible injury to my calf. If the muscle required surgery is it too late? Please respond with any relavent information. Good luck to all with this type of injury. Physical therapy and more physical therapy.
ReplyDeleteHere's mine. I injured my calf about 5 weeks earlier running up a hill and jumping a few steps into a house. As I got in my calf was real tight and I had to walk on my toes. It subsided about 5 days later. Move ahead 5 weeks. I am pulling my trash can out to the street and take off in a sprint so not to miss the truck. As I leave on my right leg I feel what seems like a my muscle spasm or something. I go down for a sec but get up and hobble to the street. I can walk only on my toes but that still hurts. I see the doc and he says a muscle strain. I go to therapy and the therapist says a slight tear maybe but he can't feel any loose fibers. About 4 days later I measure my leg and it is an inch bigger than the left. That night I see my ankle swollen and blood had pooled above the heel. I see the therapist the next morning and he said it was probably worse than he originally thought. But I am able to walk flat footed w/o to much pain. He gives me a heel raiser and that night my calf is really bruised where he massaged it and my heel is still swollen and bruised even more towards the toes. It has been 9 days and my leg is still swollen about 3/4 inch and my ankle the same with blood pooling above the heel and about 4 inches towards the toes. In the mornings right out of bed I can't walk flat footed because the calf is real tight and sore. Throughout the day it may be better or worse. There is no rhyme or reason. I am off work for one more week as my job entails lifting and walking. Hopefully after two weeks it will be healed pretty much although friends say I should see a specialist based on the swelling and bruising.
ReplyDeleteafter having a torn calf muscle a year ago, i still have pain above the calf muscle directly below the knee. the pain in that location was REALLY BAD for about 3 months and is still mildly sore after a year. maybe ligaments or tendons? how frustrating.
ReplyDeletethx for this blog!! it has really helped. i'm a RN and just came back from seeing the idiot doctor at urgent care. i have a grade 2 tear that was probably done sometime in the past month (constant pain but, hey, it's chrstmas!!)and i made it absolutely worse by running up and down some steps in the past two days...lotsa steps. i woke up this morning to my left lower leg ballooned up to twice the size of my right and significant bruising which is pooling down in the foot and ankle. also, it hurts like a sonovab. i go to urgent care and he said "no big deal...go back to work". working as a nursing supervisor in a major trauma facility, i walk over 10 miles and am on my feet for 13 hrs. plus, i have to RUN to codes and traumas. after a bit of cajoling, he finally wrote me a script for vicodin. when i asked what to do for it, he said "do nothing except try to walk pigeon toed as that will take the stress off of the muscle". well, needless to say, i came home, used a compression wrap, elevated, iced and took a vicodin. what an idiot!!!! since today is sunday, i will call my primary care doctor tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI posted on here on 22nd Nov 2008 when I tore my calf muscle two weeks into starting Taekwondo. At 38 years old I nearly gave it up. I took my time to recover 8 weeks before I felt no pain doing normal things. I carried out the exrecises the physio gave me stetching and weight bearing to strengthen the calf. 4months after the injury I returned to taekwondo. With lots of stretching and warming up and an instructor who tells me which moves to be careful with I am now a yellow belt and attend two sessions a week. I have had no further problems with my calf but am very aware of treating my body with more patience and respect. I didn't think I would get back to taekwondo but have and love it. Good luck to everyone who is in the position I was just over a year ago. Be patient and careful with your recovery. I am proof that you can return to the sports you love.
ReplyDeleteHi everyone,
ReplyDeleteI tore my left calf muscle the 6th of Jan midway through a step class. I workout roughly 5 days a week in morning and afternoon workout sessions. I did a hop and felt a pop in my left calf muscle. I neve got an MRI because military doctors are cheap. The first day was the worst and it is day 3 now I can limp around and was given a boot that I don't wear. I can point my toes but not flex them if my leg is extended. if my leg is bent I can flex it. I was wondering if I need an MRI?
I am 39 and I was at dog agility class. I was at a stand still and was about to accelerate in a diff. direction when I felt my calf muscle do a weird twist. If it was a bone I am sure the bone would have been sticking out of my skin. I thought it was just a bad cramp or spasm...I went to step and I almost fell to the ground. I have been icing it and taking advil. I waitress at night. This happened on Mon. nite and I am hoping that I can go to work on Fri. Am I delirous about working??
ReplyDeleteGreat stories to read while elevating and icing my torn calf.
ReplyDeleteI seem to fit the demographic, 37 years old, no previous injuries. I exercise with heavy cardio, weight training, and plyometrics. An aggressive plyo session ripped my left calf last night.
I had to laugh when many said it felt like a bullet, golf ball, or bat hitting the calf; I was in my garage-gym and looked around for the item that hit my calf. It took me about 5 seconds to realize it was a tear.
Like many of you I applied the RICE method. I made an appt. first thing the next morning to see the doctor. I don't want this injury holding down my lifestyle and will probably have to forgo cardio and plyo (but refuse to drop the weights) for the next weeks. Good luck everybody.
so here's my story. 39 y/o female. very active. Active runner and athletic coach, love to play. Went my whole life thus far with zero injures minus the basic aches and pains of competitive sport. Have run countless half marathons and finished the NYC marathon'09. Do i hurt it running, training, weight training? Nope, i'm on a soccer field coaching middle school soccer.It's a friday night and no one is at the school except me and 25 girls. I take 2 steps to demonstrate the direction to run a certain drill and "bam". Pop, and i went down. Knew what it was immediately. Poor kids got scared. Thank goodness i had a golf cart to hop over to. Head to the ER 2 hours later. I get my free splint and wraps and sent on my way. I'm lucky i have a sister who is a podiatrist and got an MRI 2 days later.Here I am 2 weeks later, did my ortho appt. and my only question that is going unanswered, when the hell is this going to heal enough that i can walk? Partial tear to the left gastroc. I hate sitting watching my family having to do everything.
ReplyDeleteYes the over 40 club. I am living in London playing American football. On a post pattern I thought the free safety kicked my calf when I was running by. Instead I actually tore my calf muscle as it is twice the size and weight bearing is difficult. Trying some ultrasound and hope it heals 100%. Any tips on recovery beyond RICE appreciated
ReplyDeleteTo the 39 yo soccer coach - i blew my left gastroc 10 weeks ago - had the same problem with patience - it isn't easy sitting for a month watching it snow and hobbling on crutches - I am back about 90% now doing some light jogging - take your time and do your PT - best of luck
ReplyDeleteNanci in Winnipeg
ReplyDeleteHi all. Well, I'm a 53-year-old idiot. It seems that I have a grade two strain. Three Mondays ago, I was ten minutes into a Zumba dance class and my left grade went POP. I went to the side and tried to stretch it and went back to continue on with the class. It was sore but never thought to go on the Internet to read about it (I did mention I was 53 right - not so Internet savvy)so I did nothing but stretched it every day. Lat Monday, I decided to do a bit more stretching during the day as I was going to Zumba dance (We had a big snow storm that day and it about 40 below)no matter what. About 3:30, again another POP. Oh well, I thought. I'll just take it easy tonight - which I did but it still really hurt. Still didn't go on the Internet - just did more stretching. Well, it's Monday again and my calf just hurt a tiny bit so at Zumba I went full force. About 40 minutes into the one hour class, I felt my calf tighten. No big deal I thought. Yeah, well five minutes later, POP. I yelled out and scared the instructor. I rested for about a minute then continued on but babied my left calf. Went for coffee afterwards. When I finally got home, I decided that I should go on the Internet and check into this re-accurring nuisance in my leg. That's when I discovered what was wrong with me and what I should do. The site gave me great info so now I will go and elevate and ice my leg. And, being the idiot I am will be back at Zumba next Monday but I will put a pressure bandage on
Wow! So happy to have found this blog and read so many stories that sound so similar!
ReplyDeleteI'm a 36 year old female who is in relatively good shape. I just had a baby five months ago so was working my way back into a regular exercise routine and looking forward to training for a triathlon this summer.
I was at a Zumba class last night and 15 minutes into it felt a huge pop and pulling in my calf.. and extreme pain. I hobbled to the back of the class and tried to stretch it out, realizing that it was much more serious than a cramp. I got home, started RICE, and while it feels better than it did last night, the only way I can walk on it is with my foot completely flat. If I try to push off of the ball of my foot and toes in a normal walking stance... through the roof pain.
So, I've been trying to stay off of it as much as I can and only put weight on it with a flat foot. I have two four year olds and a five month old baby, though, so obviously laying around all day is out of the question.
I went to my doctor today and he has scheduled an MRI and set me up with an appt with an ortho. So, I guess we'll see what the scan says. By what I've read here, the recovery time is quite long. We have a Disney trip planned for early April. I'm hoping that I will be pain free by then and able to do all of the walking that it will require. Also, does anyone feel that I would be able to train this summer for a (sprint) triathlon in August or is that asking too much?
Ugh. I'm so frustrated.
Hi i just wanted to know how to heel myself. I got cleated on my calf while i was playing soccer and now it hurts and i cant walk. It hurts to touch it, its like on my upper calf and on the side of my leg by my knee. I just was wondering if u knew any ways on how I could get better. I feel like i hurt a tendon or something.
ReplyDeleteHello, it is so good to see others and alot of others that have the same problem as I do and to know that it will get better. I am a 53 year old female, very active with going to school full time and working alot of jobs. I try to get in a few days of exercise. About four weeks ago I was doing some leg stretches and felt a horrible poping pain in my left calf muscle. For over a week I could hardly get around. I could not even touch my calf. It was swollen and very painful. I took it easy with that leg for the past three weeks. It got to feeling pretty good. Today I had been shopping all day and could feel my leg hurting just a bit. Then went by the grocery store to get a few items and was walking down the isle when I felt that horrible pop again and almost fell to the ground. I could barely get what I needed and get home. Of course I live up stairs. So now my questions is, will I always have this problems with that calf muscle? Now I have to not exercise for another few weeks. I will never get that bathing suit body by summer time. Thanks for your help and any suggestions you can give me to help this.
ReplyDeleteWell I'm 29 and sitting here at the moment with ice on my calf.
ReplyDeleteI've never had any calf problems in the past, but today I was playing a field hockey training match. My right calf was a little more tight than usual, but I thought it would be ok once I got moving.
About 20 seconds into the first half, I felt something kinda pop and give way. Stopped playing, called for a sub and hobbled off the field.
Put ice on it straight away, and have been doing so for the last 4 hours. So far there doesn't seem to be any visible bruising or swelling. I can flex my foot (toes back towards my knee) ok, but cannot point my toes at all or put any weight on my feet when on tippy toes.
I'm really hoping the injury isn't as bad as I think, but I have a sneaking suspicion that I'm going to be out of action for at least 4 weeks.
It's all really annoying since next week is the first week of the hockey season. If I have to sit around without exercising for a month, I'm going to lose all fitness.
ARGH!! This sucks!
Wow! There sure are a lot of stories here. Thanks to Alan for starting this - it's quite helpful to read other experiences. I had a similar experience to all. Felt a snap during an exercise class and was immediately unable to bear weight. I could flex and point the foot, but flexing hurt. Hobbled out on a pointed foot and followed up with a doctor 3 days later when they had an appointment available. Bruising did not appear until about day 5 and then it was very dramatic. I was booted for 4 weeks and then began to ween off the boot. Walking now with discomfort but have an indentation in the area of the tear I didn't notice before. Heel raises in the boot made it possible to work with screaming in pain. During week two I had bad cramping at night that felt like my muscle was rolling up into my knee (thankfully it didn't, but I would have found it comforting to know someone else was going through the same experience). It was painful to come down each heel lift, but an ortho nurse I talked with said that the rule of thumb is if it hurts significantly more the next day, you did too much, otherwise you're making progress. I am doing PT and acupuncture. Was never given an ultra sound or MRI to see how much damage, but was diagnosed with Grade 2 gastrocnemius tear.
ReplyDeleteSame story--50 yr. female playing 3rd game of racquetball and pop--didn't go down, but knew game time was over.
ReplyDeleteI went to an orthopedic specialist and they check for achilles damage and said it was a torn muscle. He said it would feel better, but to stay off of it for a few days.
Two weeks later the swelling has increased, pain is tolerable, bruising has increased and my calf is extremely tight and somewhat swollen. There is green bruising on the shin area below the "pain" in the calf (inside lower part of calf). Now what??
I posted about 3 months ago - after seemingly retearing an injury done in March last year. Ultrasound showed I ruptured 80% of gastrocnemius in the original incident and surgery is apparently not an option unless you tear almost 100% or are an elite sportstar. Latest ultrasound one year on and the injury remains - have 2 orthopaedic specialist confirm there is nothing that can be done - other than regular physio to build other muscles to compensate for the inherent weakness created by a permanent hole in my calf muscle. I used to play competition squash 3 times a week - since the original injury I struggle to do more than a 3-5km walk.... all I can say is that i wish you all more luck and success...
ReplyDeleteYetta--
ReplyDeleteSeems like surgery should be an option for you--you want to maintain an active lifestyle. Crazy!
Thanks Linda - but as I only tore the "belly" of the muslce and not the heads no orthapeadic surgeon will operate - I either need to tear it completely off (after 4 weeks in plaster and 7 weeks on crutches last time - not to mention the pain - not an option) or simply accept I will not play squash again... It is frustrating but as am ex army always like to keep fit and healthy - limited to walking, gym and water aerobics :( and try to minimise long term use of brufen
ReplyDeleteI'm an actor/singer and in the opening night of RENT last night, playing the role of Benny, and just before going off stage for the last time in the show, I do a hop off a table I'm sitting on to run offstage. As I landed on my right foot, suddenly it felt like someone had forcefully kicked me in my calf and I was in extreme pain as I quickly hobbled off the stage. When I got home I took a hot soaking bath and I put a compression bandage on. This morning I've put an ice pack on the muscle. It doesn't hurt when stationery and I am able to very slowly flex the muscle in all directions, so I figure it must be classified a minor strain, but there is no way I can put pressure on it to walk. All I can do is hobble along, but... I have to go back on stage to do the show again tonight! It is going to be VERY different and I guess I'm going to have to use crutches or a cane to get by. I am wary of causing more damage to it - but in the world of theatre, the show must go on!
ReplyDeleteI've not gone to the Urgent Care yet, but I'm contemplating it - I just don't see what they can practically offer besides telling me to take ibuprofen (which I'm doing) and do the R.E.S.T. thing.
Okay a friend just called and is taking me to U.C. so I can at least get some crutches and a P.T. plan.
Thanks for all the info on this site. :^D
Louie
well the same here for me, except i was in pensacola last weekend and was waist deep and jumping over the waves like i was a teenager although i am 46 yo
ReplyDeleteithought a sharked or stingray rammed me in the right calf but doing my homework learned it was actually a tear or pull, very swollen and black and blue, well since i didnt have internet on my vacation i just took it easy. The bottom of the foot has alot of pooled blood and i cant find any info on severe that can be, my insurance is lousy and refuse to spend hundreds of dollars for someone to tell me the r.i.c.e. method. here it is eight days and looks badly beaten.
Any suggestions far as pooled blood?
Hi, I can certainly relate to your pain as I am in week two of a grade 3 calf tear. All I can say right now is ouch! About a week ago I was playing tennis, doing nothing out of the ordinary, and all the sudden "snap." At first I thought someone had hit a ball over onto my court and hit me in the leg but when I turned around and saw no ball or anyone, I thought uh oh. Not only am I now unable to walk I am also suffering from severe swelling throughout my lower leg, ankle and foot. In fact I was nearly subjected to an emergency surgery yesterday when my doctor thought I may be coming down with compartment syndrome. Luckily the surgeon felt like we could wait a few more days before having to operate. I mention all of this so others who come across this thread understand that calf tears can be serious and if you experience anything like any of us have experienced, see your doctor! Good luck to all.
ReplyDeleteWow, it's kind of reassuring to know so many people have this problem!
ReplyDeleteSorry if this has been discussed before but I can't find an answer on long-term problems. I've got a torn muscle which has been painful for 4-5 months (waiting on MRI). It wasn't so bad at first, an ultrasound even showed it was healing...but then it got worse. I probably did too much. Now I'm finally resting by working at home.
I'd like to know...
How long do I need to rest for from experience? Resting as in - walking a little in my house, but not going out. Everytime I walk more, it hurts more. My general doctor (not specialist) says if it hurts to walk, don't walk and seems to think I might need to rest for 3-4 weeks. So far it's been 1 week.
Crutches? I've been using one crutch for the last 6 weeks to keep the weight off it. Is it a good idea or bad idea to keep using it? The specialist just ordered the MRI but also said better with no crutches at all (in general or for me I'm not sure). The general doctor says to put my weight on the crutch.
Any advice would be useful! Waiting for MRIs for and results for weeks is not helping me. Oh - and I'm 26 and healthy, but not an athlete! Thanks!
I am a 34 year old male who exercises daily. I did a 30 minute run on the treadmill earlier in the day and then that evening went to play basketball with some friends. I was in the first game and went to cover a guy on the three point line when I felt like someone took a golf ball and whacked me in the leg. I knew exactly what had happened because three years earlier I did the same thing but to the other calf playing slow pitch softball. The first one took a while for it to heal. This one hurt like heck Sunday night and couldn't walk at all on Monday Morning. Then by 10 am I was walking on it with some pain. I have been walking on it as normal as possible for over a week. I started slow running and eliptical work after resting for a week. I stretch in the morning and also throughout the day. I exercised for 30 minutes today on day 10. I am going to keep up with my slow process of recovery even though I can walk normal and am virtually pain free. I don't understand how this tear has progressed so much faster than the right leg. They both felt equally bad 2 days, but during day 2 an amazing difference from the first injury to the second. I think I might start wearing calf sleeves for sports to help with support and heat. i don't need them when I do sustained exercise but when the starting and stopping or jumping during sports has caused both injuries. One injury happened after 5 straight softball games during the 5th inning taking a step out of the batters box and the other happened after 20 minutes of basketball. I hate the feeling of not being able to put my foot down and feel that the calf tear is the worst injury that I have dealt with. but I love playing sports. I am a glutton for punishment. My philosophy is that I have my whole afterlife not to feel pain, I might as well have a little fun and if pain happens, it happens.
ReplyDeleteSo nice to have others that can relate. Short version...I'm a golfer not a softball player. However, joined my sister's church softball league, 5th game, didn't get 2 steps out of the batter's box & hit the dirt like a sack of potatoes! Hard! Initial shock, rolled over, pushed backward with the good leg for what seemed forever, was carried off the field, then numb. Felt stupid & extremely devastated....my sister had basically drug me out of the house to fight depression due to the kick in the teeth the economy has given me.
ReplyDeleteThe feeling was a soft pop in my heel, but the pain quickly settled just below my right claf. Didn't swell for about a week. Can't afford an mri...wasted the er & otho trip already. No one knows anything.
My greatest fear came true last night, 8 days after the sniper attach on the field, my calf split up the middle in a cramp. I thought I would die! Prayer through the screaming got me through but I want no part of it again!
My sincerest "get well"s to you all. Great blog btw!
Hi, Great blog! I'm coming up on 48hrs since I experienced a 'pop' sensation with pain in my left calf. I am 47y/o female who has had a huge wake up call re: fitness & stretching. I have horses and am particularly interested in natural horsemanship. My injury occurred when I took 2 skip like strides to cue my horse to canter next to me on the ground. Good horse, he stopped and came over to me to check the problem out when I abruptly stopped moving and bent over to grasp my leg. I did go to local Urgent Care, was told probably torn gastroc muscle w/pain and what felt like a ridge inner aspect bottom of calf.
ReplyDeleteI have stayed home from work elevating leg, ice, ace wrap/compression stocking, Vicoprofen, boot & crutches for walking. To my surprise at this point I do not have swelling or bruising and it feels OK except if try to actually take a walking step the PAIN in calf. The DR at Urgent Care did tell me if by day #3 still can't walk on it to see orthopedic specialist for MRI and more definitive diagnosis. Looks like I'm headed in that direction, will keep you posted. I wonder how much time I will actually be out of work? My job is mostly computer work but it is as a manager of a couple part-time hospital based clinics so they like me to be on-site as much as possible.
I'm a 26 y.o. female and in pretty good shape. What I THINK happened is, after the weather got warmer and I decided to take my running outside and hit some HILLS, my muscles weren't ready for the incline (read 'lack of proper stretching'). While jogging uphill, I felt a very slight pop in my right lower leg, and thought nothing of it (I tend to "snap, crackle, and pop" every once in a while). A few days later, back on the treadmill, my right foot became sore and tender until I could hardly walk anymore. The next morning, my ankle was swollen and I noticed a little bruising/swelling on the top of my foot and around the ankle. Thinking I rolled my ankle, I took it easy the next few days, applying ice and elevating. One of my co-workers suggested maybe I had tight calf muscles, which was pulling my ankle out of place, causing the ankle pain. Since then I've done a lot of massaging and stretching my right leg, with little to no activity (a couple of short walks). There is an odd indentation in the calf muscle, almost as though it is in a constant state of "flexion". Its been close to a week since the original injury, and, though my ankle feels better, I'm apprehensive about resuming my level of activity. Any suggestions, besides continued rest and limited activity?
ReplyDeleteHi there
ReplyDeleteI am still recovering from my injury. On the 16th of March this year I was doing a 12 week challenge, I was doing some step exercises throwing the ball when I felt my calf go pop! Gee it was sore!!! bad thing was, is that the fitness instructor thought it was a slight sprain of some sort and got me to do some stretching exercises and NONE of them worked!! I was in pain, no ice availabe except for my cold water I sat down for another half hour and gave in to the fact that the pain was not going away. Thankfully I have an auto car and drove home but I could not put any weight on my leg what so ever. Me and my husband decided I would go to the doc's in the morning so had the good old RICE happening. In the morning I was diognosed that I had torn my calf muscle, I ended up having a ultrasound to rule out DVT which was negative THANK GOODNESS. My Physio says because of the extra stretches that was advised by my fitness instructor it had made it worse so I was catogorised as a stage 3 calf musle strain as the ache runs up at the back of my knee. IT totally SUCKS!I have only gone back to physio yesterday and have been told that I will need a referal to go for an ultrasound NOT GOOD but this aching will not go away...
Alan... great job in posting this blog.
ReplyDeleteI'm a 30 year old male, extremely active... jog 6 miles every other day, hike, play softball.
I heard the pop a month ago... and I'm slowly getting back to walking... it's killing me and I thought maybe there was something horribly wrong with me since I'm not running already after 5 weeks of the boot and some rehab...
Well this site has made me realize we all heal different and the tears come in different severities.
Unfortunately i have an idiot for a doctor, who after my MRI, it was his assistant who called and could not tell me what grade tear I have.
for everyone reading... it's going to be ok... realize, this is a weight bearing muscle, so it takes time to heal.
a few pointers... even if you are wearing a boot, exercise your leg gently, move your toes, ankle. the faster you can handle moving your leg, the faster you will heal.
take vitamin C... it produces collagen which is what the muscle needs to heal.
relax... it's going to take some time.
Howdy all. Another in the long line of calf sagas. I am a 42 year old male who is moderately active and play softball 2-3 nights a week. I was on 1st base last night and attempted to advance to 2nd on a base hit. I got two steps of the bag when I felt the pain. It was as though someone had thrown a fastball at my left calf. I even turned around to take a look at what had hit me. Let's just say that I didn't make it much further. I actually did limp/crawl the rest of the way, but no further. I went to the doctor this morning and he said it was torn, which the wife and I had already determined. Trying to limp through the workday, but think I will finish at home where I have the room to put it up and ice it. Good luck to all the others on here. I will check back as time goes on.
ReplyDeleteDuane Leamer
wow this "Alan's Place" started on April 20 2008... I've been searching all over the web and this is the best info I've viewed... I actually had a massage before my incident and know that the muscle was relaxed... I thought? I was jumping into the pool when I felt the sound of ripping in my left calf, a deep muscle, not topical. Does that make sense? Need to know if this sounds like a tear, needing medical attention.. worth paying cobra. I am in major pain unless I stay off the leg. almost impossible...I'm a mom! The world doesn't stop ya know :) I need to know whether or not to go to the doc.. this same muscle has been bothering me from time to time, but this rip was so much more than a charlie horse or tight muscle spasm. We are in between insurance... help please!
ReplyDeletemom that jumped into the pool. Here is a good way to determine the injure.... Have someone squeeze your achilles... If that does not hurt, you are good with the achilles. Next try to step on your tippy toes... If you can't and this brings a scorching pain, it's a tendon or the calf muscle. If I had to avoid the doctor I would see a physical therapist. Hope this helps.
ReplyDeleteI just tore the muscle in my right calf tonight. The real irony? I did it while stretching. Guess I did something the muscle didn't like!
ReplyDeleteI woke up from a quick nap after work and stretched out my legs, pointing my toes in a way I do all the time. This time, however, I felt something pop and an immediate searing pain. The muscle immediately tensed up (which almost made the back of my leg look like it had a "shelf"), which has since relaxed some.
Still, it hurts like heck to stand, my walk is more of a pained shuffle, and I don't even want to try straightening it.
Looks like I'll be visiting the doctor tomorrow!
Thanks for the blog! Lots of good information here.
ReplyDeleteMy story started last week. We play kickball on Friday nights. That week was a double header. I was playing catcher in the 1st inning of the 1st game. I was running behind the kicker, ready for the bunt. I had just cut to the right, when I felt and heard a pop in my left calf. I knew immediately that it was not good. Unfortunately, it was early in the inning, so, I had to play thru it & stay out there until the other team made their 3rd out.
None of my teammates knew I was hurt until I had to hobble over to the dugout. Once there, I hobbled out of the dugout, and downhill to my car to get ice for my injury. Then, I walked back uphill to the dugout to ice my leg and watch the rest of the game. I was sooo annoyed that this happened at the beginning of the game. But, it is my own fault for not stretching before the game.
Overall, the only pain I had was when I had to walk. I pretty much only iced it during the first two days and that's it. I walked with a limp for most of the week, but felt the leg was better by Thursday. There was a little pain if I stepped the wrong way, but if I walked slow & didn't bend my knee too much, it was okay. I was even able to walk the dog for a mile or so with no pain. Also, there was not have any bruising until 6 days later. I thought that was odd, but after reading this blog, it appears that is the norm.
So, I thought I would go ahead and play again last night. Probably not the best idea. I felt couple of small pops in my calf during the game, but I wasn't sidelined like last week. However, this morning, the leg was swollen, & it was hard to walk again. I think that I've just negated any progress I had made the past week. So, it looks like it's rest and ice for me this weekend.
And no kickball for me for at least the next two weeks. Or longer.
Well I am 47 years and I have to say that this site is great! I am finding out a lot. Unfortunately, I was in my Zumba class and all of a sudden something popped in my right calf. All I could do was immediately sit down and people helped me up and I put ice on it immediately. Went to Urgent Care the next day because I could not get in to see an orthopedic. My heel could not even touch the floor. Saw the doctor and he said to keep doing what I have been doing, rest, ice, cold and elevation. I went back 2 days later and he said that I would be fine. Since then, I developed a bruise six days later but not too bad. I still cannot walk real well on it but I am walking on my heal for the most part. The funny thing is, I was hopping on my left leg the next day after the doctor's appointment because I didn't have my crutches near by, but it was only about 3 hops and something popped in my left calf. Nothing like the right, but I thought it to be very odd. I am having a fit that I have not worked out since last Tuesday. I am going to see an orthopedic on Friday to see how severe this tear is. I was on anti-inflammatory meds but you are only supposed to take them for five days. Don't know what to do. I drink lots of water and now take vitamins. I was told that since I was drinking 5 liters of water a day that I probably knocked out my electrolytes. Could it just be just from that? Anyone go through something like this? I was working out on the versa climber for 30 minutes in the a.m. and then after work I was attending Zumba classes twice a week. Don't know what I might have done wrong.
ReplyDeleteAny one go through this? What are the chances of both legs???
First, last years tear. 8/17/09. I was 55, and descending a moderately steep trail after climbing a mountain earlier. Heel slipped downward on a wet dirt slope and I went down in pain. In a few seconds I felt a spreading warmth in my right calf. I was bewildered by this because in 15 years of mountain hiking, I'd never torn a muscle, and rarely, rarely even felt sore after even a 15 mile hike. I figured it must be a calf tear. I had to hobble out 4-5 miles. I was slow to learn how to walk, but eventually realized I needed to step so heel was higher than toes.
ReplyDeleteIt took maybe 2months to recover, but I had a great winter of mountain snowshoeing, with occasional tightness, but no further strains.
8/7/10 Age 56. About 6.5 miles into a hike I'm on level but uneven ground. There's no slipping, twisting, sliding, no previous hints of cramps, twinges, or other discomfort. Suddenly it feels like I've been hit hard in the left calf. My first thought was that I'd spooked some large animal just off the trail, and part of it slammed into me as it crossed the trail behind me. I listened (it was 1:45AM, and my headlamp wouldn't show much in the thick woods)for the animal as it ran further into the woods. Silence. Then I realized: another torn calf. This one didn't hurt as bad, and I let myself down gently rather than collapsing as last time.
This one really disturbs me, despite not hurting as much as last years because there was no unusual motion involved. Here are some other factors that may have contributed:
-Cool temps: It was cool when I hit the trail after 10PM, and as I gained ~1000' over 2+ hours, it must have gotten cooler, though "I" was warmed up. I was wearing shorts. It may have been 45F when it happened.
-Possible dehydration: When it's cool, my body frequently dumps water. I was checking urine color by headlamp, and it looked clear every time, but if the body is dumping a lot of water, that would dilute the urine and make color an unreliable indicator.
- I haven't been hiking a lot this summer, and when I did, it was a lot warmer.
But dang it, there was no unusual strain or motion when it happened this time!
This time I very quickly remembered to walk with heel up. All the rocks and roots in the trail, as well as the upward slope on either side of the trail made it pretty easy to find higher places to aim my heel at. I also put a 1/2" thick piece of flat wood inside my left boot under the heel.
I'm the 56 y.o. Anonymous from 8/10. I forgot to comment on the noise. The first time, last August, I don't remember hearing any noise. This time, there was no popping sound. I did just barely hear what sounded like a low pitched rubber band twang. Maybe it was a double twang. It could have been my hiking pole banging a small plastic bottle on my pack, or maybe something else. But my first guess was it was the sound of muscle strands letting go. Yuck.
ReplyDeleteBut I just finished skimming every report on this blog from 2/25/09 to the present, and nobody reported that type of sound. Any ideas about this?
Well started to play soccer with my boys and in ten seconds I felt a " pop" in my lower mid calf . Finally saw a Dr. 2 weeks after leaving Europe to the States. It's a category 2 strained calf muscle, which means R.I.C.E. for 4 to 6 weeks and then about the forth week light physical therapy and visit to a orthopedic Dr. for right consultation . Therapy was leg whirl pool 3 minutes 105 degrees and 1 minute in ice cold water doing this procedure 4 or 5 times about twice a day. Boswellia and Devils claw root pills 4 times a day to reduce inflammation and joint recovery. But the R.I.C.E. and physical therapy was very importante to avoid a chronic situation in your future. But remember get professional help right away.
ReplyDeleteI am writing about my husband's injury. It has been 1 month since the "pop" happened in the ocean on our vacation. He started to chase our son out of the water and all of the sudden he said it felt like someone had punched him in the back of the calf. It dropped him. All the normal stuff happened. Severe pain, couldn't walk or drive for a few days, swelling, etc. Now it is a month later and it is really swollen still, now from the knee all the way down to the top of the foot. The ankle is "pitting" because there is so much fluid around it. He can't make the calf muscle flex anymore. Now, the newest thing to show up is a large dent in the middle of his calf. This finally convinced him to let me call the dr. I am awaiting a return phone call. He has been coaching football for 2 hours 5 days a week and getting down and showing line men how to push off and block. He comes home nightly saying he reinjured it and it is killing him. I'm really concerned with the swelling and the dent. I hope they can see him soon. I'll let you know what they say.
ReplyDeleteI pulled my right calf while running. This injury is reoccurring. Is it being over weight or poor circulation? My frustration is that I'm not even running or jogging fast.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about the injury, Anon. I can only hope that yours will start to feel better in about a week, as mine did. However, don't do anything stupid once it starts to feel better, as it is *still* injured. I stupidly re-injured my left calf muscle the first time I had a tear, and boy did I feel dumb.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteOK 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??
ReplyDeleteInteresting post because almost the exact same thing happened to me. About half a year ago i tore my right calf muscle while playing paddleball. Was in tremendous pain the first couple of days.But I had none of the blood pooling symptoms, just severe tenderness and pain while walking. One thing I didnt see mentioned but which helped me a great deal was putting a half inch lift on the heel of the shoe, as that keeps the heel elevated and calf muscle not so stretched, and that really helped my walking. It took me 5 weeks till I didnt feel any pain at all. At which point I gave myself another week and resumed my ball playing. Fast forward to this past sunday morning, during our paddleball game, I was running to the wall for a shot, and booms, my left calf popped on me!!!!!! I couldnt believe that I did it again, and this time I cant say that I wasnt forewarned because for the past few weeks, I have been feeling a tightness and tenderness in my left calf, yet still didnt bother stretching. So far its been only 2 days but it seems to be following the script of the first time, first day extremely painful, and yesterday was better and with the lift on my shoe, i can walk, albeit very very very slowly.
ReplyDeleteWell, I'll add to the wealth of information on this blog. I am a 30 YO female, international rugby player... so I am fit and used to training regularly. Though, I will confess that my flexibility has never been what one would call good.
ReplyDeleteSo, I was playing rugby over the weekend (3 days ago) and was having a hell of a game. There was about 10 min left in the game. I received a pass and took off and as I pushed off, I felt as if someone had thrown a rock at my leg. I immediately passed the ball and tried to take a step before collapsing. I couldn't put any weight on my foot. Luckily we had an athletic trainer there who had crutches in her car, so I was able to be on them immediately. I started the RICE thing and promptly called my team doctor (one of the perks of being an international athlete).
I was able to get in for an MRI the next day, but didn't have my appt until this morning. In the mean time I was pretty much couch bound because I couldn't walk without crutches and crutching everywhere was a pain in the butt! I also got a friend's portable Electrical TENS unit and was able to use that regularly to try and get some of the pain under control. Like everyone else, I don't really have a whole lot of pain if I am sitting still or if my knee is bent, but as soon as I try to either stand on a straight leg or push off with my toes i get horrific pain.
Verdict at the doctor this morning was a complete rupture of my plantaris muscle (an apparently useless muscle), as well as partial tears of both heads of my gastrocnemius (one of the two calf muscles). I'm out of commission for 4-6 weeks, but have to start PT 2-3x/week immediately and was given a 3/8" heel lift to put in my shoe. The doctor told me to continue to use crutches, but to work on weight-bearing as much as possible as pain allowed. So I guess I'm finally going to be forced to take that break my body has been asking for, but I haven't been willing to give it. I guess I'll update as I progress.
I was so pleased to find this page! I tore my calf muscle on Saturday playing football with the kids. Like others I turned round to see who or what had hit me and found nothing! I went to A+E and was told it was a torn calf muscle. The first day was really painful. Then it started to feel better and only hurt if I tried to move the muscle. Now on day 6 it's really hurting again which is why I googled it again and found this site. It has been really good to read about other people's experiences. Thanks for that Alan. Hope everyone makes a speedy recovery. I can't wait to walk again!
ReplyDeleteGlad to find this blog as I am also a torn calf muscle newbie. However, I'm also a serious runner, so thought you might like to have that perspective.
ReplyDeleteWhen I say "serious" I mean, 63 years old and my last marathon was 3:08:15, which got me first place in my age group in the LA Marathon last March. Now I'm aiming for 3:04, so I upped my mileage this summer - up to 85 mile weeks. Got into very good shape, and legs got a lot stronger. I ran a half marathon on Sept. 26th in 1:25:03. I knew I should rest afterwards, as three years ago I got a hamstring injury due to lack of rest after a half, but hey, 85 mile weeks, legs feeling great...I went right back into hard training. In fact, 3 days later I ran a 19:03 5k time trial feeling good, and was also doing hard intervals with a HS school cross-country team that I help coach.
So, two weeks after the half I was in a 10k race. Went through 5k in 19:02 and started to pick up the pace. At 6k I got a pain in my calf...not the proverbial pop, just a dull pain. I slowed down a bit, but it got worse. I thought it was a cramp, so slowed a bit more...it got worse. Slowed more, hurt worse. At this point, I realized my race was over and just jogged (jog/limp) the final 3k...which I now realize was a bad mistake, as I was aggravating the injury with every step. However, I had never had a torn muscle, had never heard of one, except hamstrings, and that only happens to sprinters, right?
I thought it was a bad cramp, so hobbled around for a week, and even ran with the kids (easily, but about 6k) on Monday and Tuesday of the following week. Then on Wednesday two guys at my running club's training session, told me: That's not a cramp, it's a muscle tear. Oh. A tear. Now I see why it still hurts.
So it's been a month, and I can only run for 15-20 minutes before it starts to hurt. I test it once a week, then rest for another week. A lot of people have said 6 to 8 weeks, so I guess that is valid. I hope it won't be more. I had a marathon scheduled two weeks from now, but of course have given up on that. Hopefully I will be able to do enough training to defend my title at LA next March.
I go to a small physio clinic 3 or 4 times a week to get electro stimulation, ultrasound and some massage. I am wearing a compression sleeve on the calf and stretching 3 or 4 times a day. And since I started to gain weight, I decided i had to do something so from this week am riding a stationary bike at my gym and walking an hour a day. I hope the walking is ok, comments on this blog seem to indicate that it is.
Anyway...the moral of the story is, even if you are in great shape, overuse can cause a calf injury. MIne was a classic case of overuse...not resting properly after the half marathon, stressing it with hard interval training, and then doing another race.
So the moral of the moral of the story: Hard training is important. And rest is just as important. Don't overdo it!
Glad to find this blog as I am also a torn calf muscle newbie. However, I'm also a serious runner, so thought you might like to have that perspective.
ReplyDeleteWhen I say "serious" I mean, 63 years old and my last marathon was 3:08:15, which got me first place in my age group in the LA Marathon last March. Now I'm aiming for 3:04, so I upped my mileage this summer - up to 85 mile weeks. Got into very good shape, and legs got a lot stronger. I ran a half marathon on Sept. 26th in 1:25:03. I knew I should rest afterwards, as three years ago I got a hamstring injury due to lack of rest after a half, but hey, 85 mile weeks, legs feeling great...I went right back into hard training. In fact, 3 days later I ran a 19:03 5k time trial feeling good, and was also doing hard intervals with a HS school cross-country team that I help coach.
So, two weeks after the half I was in a 10k race. Went through 5k in 19:02 and started to pick up the pace. At 6k I got a pain in my calf...not the proverbial pop, just a dull pain. I slowed down a bit, but it got worse. I thought it was a cramp, so slowed a bit more...it got worse. Slowed more, hurt worse. At this point, I realized my race was over and just jogged (jog/limp) the final 3k...which I now realize was a bad mistake, as I was aggravating the injury with every step.
I thought it was a bad cramp, so hobbled around for a week, and even ran twice the next week. Then on Wednesday two guys at my running club's training session, told me: That's not a cramp, it's a muscle tear. Oh. A tear. Now I see why it still hurts.
So it's been a month, and I can only run for 15-20 minutes before it starts to hurt. I test it once a week, then rest for another week. A lot of people have said 6 to 8 weeks, so I guess that is valid. I hope it won't be more. I had a marathon scheduled two weeks from now, but of course have given up on that. Hopefully I will be able to do enough training to defend my title at LA next March.
I go to a small physio clinic 3 or 4 times a week to get electro stimulation, ultrasound and some massage. I am wearing a compression sleeve on the calf and stretching 3 or 4 times a day. And since I started to gain weight, I decided i had to do something so from this week am riding a stationary bike at my gym and walking an hour a day. I hope the walking is ok, comments on this blog seem to indicate that it is.
Anyway...the moral of the story is, even if you are in great shape, overuse can cause a calf injury. MIne was a classic case of overuse...not resting properly after the half marathon, stressing it with hard interval training, and then doing another race.
So the moral of the moral of the story: Hard training is important. And rest is just as important. Don't overdo it!
wow, cudos to this site... thanks alan. these blogs help me relax...
ReplyDeletewell, i'm 33, 200 lbs and very active and athletic. i had a accident 8 months ago and haven't really been active. about 2 weeks ago i started playing soccer again in an indoor league.. i haven't played soccer in about a year.
so, last night i was playing my second game, bear in mind i had stretched myself out real well before the first game about 90 minutes before.... i was trolling along with the ball and stepped forward with my left leg to push off for a pass with my right foot and i felt a pop in my left calf muscle and screamed 'c'mon ref' as i thought one of the other teams' players had fouled me.... but then before i put my left foot down, i kinda looked around and saw no-one behind me... the guy who was defending me was about 3 feet in front of me and he yelled 'don't move'... as he heard the pop, b/c it was so loud. so i remained standing like a pelican as a coule of guys helped me off the court and i immediately began to ice it for 30 min before i painfully hopped to my car, which was about 50 feet away at a turtle speed.
so the pop was a two part pop but only a micro second apart. it felt like mu scle snapped and springed into a small ball.
today i couldn't get out of bed, bla bla bla just like everyone else. i have no bruising nor discoloration. i can also move my foot and toes up and down, but painfully. the pain is in the INSIDE MIDDLE of my calf.
i am freaking out b/c i don't have insurance and i hope i won't need surgery. i have not been to the doctor yet and truly just scared to go and need MRI's, X-rays, etc...
i know it's probably is tear, but from what i hear from all the grat blogs, i don't think it's a bad tear and from what it sounds like, it'll heal itself in a few weeks.
how long should i 'RICE' it? and when do i begin to 'HEAT' it?
thanks for the great feedbacks...
Ario
Just tore my second calf...tore the first playing softball 1 1/2 yrs ago. Tried to get around without crutches the first week...bad idea. Had to go on them to get the swelling to go down and went for my first jog at 5 1/2 wks after the injury. This time I tore my other calf playing basketball and I knew what NOT to do - didn't weight bear for a week (plus ice, compression, elevation). Then I used crutches for any long hauls and limped around a bit. I just find it's not healing very fast. I have a bit more range of motion before the pain kicks in, but when it kicks in it's still a 10 out of 10! I'm 2 1/2 weeks post injury right now. Walking with massive limp and sports look to be a long way off.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I found this page and I'm not alone. I am growing more and more frustrated with this calf injury. I started training for 1/2 marathons last year around this time. I completed my first in March without any problems/injuries. Then a month later I ran another 1/2 but this time I was having IT Band issues. Compression pants, foam roller, and stretches really helped that injury though. Then this summer I started training for a half marathon in October. My training was going so well--I was working on speed and really getting better. A week before the race my calf started bothering me a little. I decided to not run all week and used the foam roller and stretched. About a 1/2 mile into the race I was running up a hill and felt a sharp pain and my calf totally seized up. I tried to keep running but it was so painful. My husband told me to stop so he could try to stretch me out. I was so upset because my time goal was unattainable at this time. So I was angry and determined and decided to "tough" it out and finished the next 12 and 1/2 miles on this injury and obviously could not walk after I crossed the finish line. My husband had to carry me to the busses to get back to our car. I went to the sports medicine doctor a couple days later and he thought it was a tear but not one that would require surgery. After 3 weeks he told me I was clear to try running. I ran a 5K with no problem 4 weeks after the injury. Two days after the 5K I ran at the gym and it started hurting again. I took a few more weeks off and tried again Thanksgiving weekend only to have pain after 2 miles. I waited a few more weeks and right before Christmas I tried to run and the same problem. I'm so frustrated! I just had to back out of the NYC half marathon again because I cant train properly. I started taking yoga last week and am hoping this will help. I just wnt to RUN again!
ReplyDeleteIt's been 3 months since I tore my calf muscle surfing off a remote island in Indonesia. I was stuck there for 2 weeks, unable to fly home. My leg is still swollen, in fact, 2 weeks ago I walked 2 miles and couldn't get my shoe on the next day. Has anyone else experienced swelling months later? Interestingly enough, my calf doesn't hurt, but my groin muscle constantly hurts. I feel like I will never surf again, so frustrating!
ReplyDeleteThis is a big fraternity! I am a member of the two time loser club -- dis my right calf about 4 years ago, now I've done my left one while skiing. This time I got a blood clot as well! I'm three weeks into it and still have to use a cane to get around.
ReplyDeleteI've really enjoyed having a look around your blog today, keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI am a 40 yo female. I consider myself in great shape. I teach a sports inspired cardio class and take many other group fitness classes as well. I am going on day 10 of what I believe to be a grade 2 calf strain. I was in step class doing my thing, took a step up with my right foot, and POP!!! I had no pain prior to the pop. I should add that I have pulled this calf about 4 months before, but felt no pop, and it healed pretty quickly. I have also had meniscus surgery in my right knee as well. Anyway, I managed to hobble out of class and drive myself home. At this point, the pain was worse and the calf was in spasm. I iced immediately and had a friend drive me to the ER. The fact that I could bear no weight at all scared me and I could barely touch the calf as well. ER doc confirmed that achilles was not ruptured and that I was suffering from a calf strain (didn't tell me a grade). He told me to go home and RICE and if the pain was not better in a week to go see an orthopedic. I, at day 10, can still not walk normal....foot needs to be flat. The rolling through the foot motion is just not there yet. If I try, I feel a sharp burning pain. I am reluctant to go to orthopedic as my ins. is poor and will hardly cover MRI. Bruising was minimal, but swelling was significant! Any suggestions?
ReplyDeleteI am 39 and play competitive indoor volleyball year round. We were in our 4th match and on game point, I back pedalled to get in position and burst forward for a play and ....pop! my calf went. I immediately hopped and sat down. Now I am icing and the cramping in my calf is more like a charley horse. Good thing I had my crutches set from the exact same injury 5 years ago. Deep aching. I'll skip the doctor and the insurance co-pay.
ReplyDeleteAmy
Lots of good info here. Nice to find this site. I reckon I found my way here, pretty much like most of you folks. I Googled "torn calf muscle". I'm 56 yrs. old and in pretty decent shape. 6ft and 180lbs. Never had anything like this happen to me before. I was playing with our dog. Trying to out run her, running sprints back and forth while barefoot. I was feeling pretty darn good that I could still move so fast and agile at my age and barely get winded. Then in mid-stride I felt the classic shot to my calf. Like everyone else says, it felt like someone whacked me on the calf with a stick or something. I almost collapsed from the pain. That was one week ago today. A couple of days ago in the shower I noticed a weird brown stain below my ankle and around my heel, and tried to wash it off. You guessed it. It was bruising from internal bleeding. I went to my family MD and she x rayed it, poked and prodded, and determined it to be maybe a class 2 tear. She wrapped it with an ace bandage and told me it would probably take from 3 to 6 weeks to heal and prescribed motrin and muscle relaxers(which I opted not to use) And of course R.I.C.E. I asked her, "Will I be able to tap dance when this heals" She said, "Sure, no problem" I said "That's great, cause I couldn't before"
ReplyDeleteIt's not painful at all until I put weight on it. I can hobble around pretty good with a cane, as long as I walk on the balls of my foot. I taped an elevator (folded up sock) under my heel in my shoe and it helps a lot. On the 'up' side, my wife wont let me cook, and she's doing all the driving cause both our vehicles have manual transmissions. She's waiting on me, hand and foot. On the 'down' side she caught me about to fire up my motorcycle today and refused to let me ride. Sigh.
I can't thank you enough Alan for starting this blog.
ReplyDeleteHere is my calf story...I am 36 yrs old and was playing tennis on Tuesday (03/15/2011)evening. I was running up to the net and I felt as if a rubber band popped inside my left calf. I froze on the court and immediately put all my weight on my right leg. I tried to put weight on my left foot and could not tolerate it. So I hoped off the court and immediately applied ice. I drove myself to the night clinic and the doc told me that I tore my gastrocnemius muscle. He told me to stay off my left foot...probably crutches for 2 weeks, elevate and apply ice. I have my 1st physical therapy session on Monday. After reading the wide range of recovery options, I am not sure that crutches is the best option. Some people are being told to wear compression boots and bear weight on the foot. I am looking forward to clearing up my confusion. I will update my post after my therapy.
Hey there...44 y/o female, in relatively good shape...I've always been athletic. Started playing softball again...had a great hit and ended up on first. As I was shifting to run to second, my left foot ever so slightly slipped on the bag and my right leg shot forward. I felt and heard a pop and that was it. I tried to limp to 2nd (and almost made it) but ended up on the ground. Now I am raising and icing it and I will go to the doctor in the morning...we'll see what happens.
ReplyDeleteHurt my calf muscle in karate last October--I have always done a lot of high impact exercise and just overdid, I think. Anyway, this caused my leg to give out--similar to a football injury and I twisted my knee as I went down. Though not too major, I did end up with an injured MCL w/ a slight ACL sprain. After months of PT AND home therapy twice a day, I started back to karate in January, taking it very slow.
ReplyDeleteSlowly built myself back up, but noticed my calf muscle was really sore. Started getting a weekly sports massage which seemed to help a bunch. This week, got too competitive and overdid and definitely felt fatigue in my calf on Monday. While putting my daughter to bed, ended up sliding on a toy and felt a similar twinge, though my leg didn't give out thank goodness! So feel like every time I start to increase my activity, end up going down a notch . . . Just wanted to vent my frustrations with the sloooowness of healing and want to be back to normal!! I will press on, but take things down a notch AGAIN. Frustrating when I'm supposed to test for my black belt this year!
I have read almost this entire blog. Here are a few things I have gleaned from it and my own experience suffering from this horrible injury type.
ReplyDelete1. It seems to happen across the board to everyone during a variety of activities. However one things stands out. Activities which lower the heel seem to predispose this injury. So do those activities which are explosive in nature; jumping up and moreover coming down.
2. This injury take a LONG TIME to heal. Disproportionately long in comparison to ALL other injuries that I have suffered in my very active life. 'Very Long', translates into 4-9 months. Anything less than 6 months seems to increase the risk for re-injury.
3. Deep Tissue Massage is a key element to not only healing and rehab but for future prevention. The junction where the soleus and the gastroc meets is already poorly vascularized. Once injured scar tissue sets up more than in other tissues. Scar tissue is the chief culprit. It is stiff and tears rather than flexes. It is poorly vascularized thus making healing protracted. It gets worse with reinjury. Breaking down this scar tissue is essential according to my own experience and some entries on this blog. Cross Friction Massage or Myofascial Release techniques are recommended. I personally am convinced that I am chained to a regime of deep tissue massage on my calf for the rest of my life. (an encouraging note - I had been having repeated tears to my muscles in my hamstrings and quads regularly for 2-3 years. Once I began the cross friction massage with a firm ball, the tears virtually disappeared. I am hoping that my calf/soleus muscles will respond in like manner)I have come to the opinion that stretching without massage is not nearly as beneficial.
4. Adequte periods of rest to the calf muscles after activites is neccessary.
5. Ice or even RICE should perhaps be utilized after training sessions and especially strenous ones.
6. Orthotics or an assessment of the type of shoes used while these injuries take place is in order.
7. The warning signs of tightness while exersicing should not be ignored.
8. Total immobilization is questionable except in the most severe cases (grade 3 tear)
9. Swelling to the legs from either jobs that require standing or excessive LE work there the calf muscles get swollen with fluid or blood tend to initiate a condition called 'compartment syndrome' which in my experience may be a factor. I tend to suffer this injury after having been on my feet all day.
45 year old VERY ACTIVE cross trainer and soccer player. My calf tear is a grade 2, reinjured several times over the course of the last 10 years and twice in the last 4 months. It is perhaps the most disabling of all injuries that I have suffered that have not required surgery.
Thank you for your comments--it is interesting to see everything in a concise format and I totally agree . . . I would be interested to know more about the massage technique you mention. Is this something you do on your own?
ReplyDeleteHello, I would like to share my story and hopefully get some advice from some of you who have suffered this injury. I am in my late 20s.
ReplyDeleteI first tore my calf muscle (without knowing it) when I was backpacking on vacation. I was wearing shoes with poor foot support while "moshing" at a night club.
I immediately could not walk. After limping around Europe for a few days I was back home. I am a runner and gently eased back into a power-walking exercise. However, I tore the muscle again while power walking. I finally saw a doctor who confirmed I tore the gastro muscle and he recommended therapy.
I had to give up therapy prematurely since I started a new job where I am on my feet a lot. I was on crutches for about a month before seeing a new doctor who put me in a walking boot. After a month of therapy and almost being off the boot, I re-tore the calf muscle during therapy.
It has now been six months since my initial calf injury and my ortho has recommended different physical therapists.
I consistently use the R.I.C.E. method, every day. However, given the length of time and lack of recovery, I am starting to lose faith that this has not become a permanent injury. Good luck to everyone out there suffering with this injury.
Dear Anonymous (April 2nd posting):
ReplyDeleteYou are so young--most of the rest of us are older than you, so take heart--you WILL heal!
I understand your frustration though . . . My advice: Find a good PT--worth the $$$ I was SO impressed with my physical therapist. She taught me so much about my muscles/ligaments that I didn't know, so first of all, find a good one! I do my PT exercises religiously twice a day--if I don't, I can tell a big difference. I don't do RICE very often unless it is an intense exercise day. I only worked with the PT for a few months but I continue to touch base with her if questions arise, which they seem to do!
Stretch, stretch and more stretch plus exercises to build up your calf/leg muscles are a MUST. I have also been getting a weekly calf muscle massage (had one today in fact) and she massaged out some knots that had built up . . . I was referred to her through my PT.
I'm curious--what were you doing when you retore your muscle during therapy? Yikes! Keep us posted! My calf is SO much better--I'm off to a karate tournament this weekend . . .
The first time I tore the muscle in my calf was 9-4-04. I was a fit almost 40 year old woman just stepping off of the back of my pick up from a crouched position. Pain? Child birth, broken back, and 2 blown discs in my back at the same time couldn't touch it. My 18 year old son had to carry me to the car and then into the ER. Flat on my back for a week and then pool therapy to get my heel down so I could walk. Last week, just going down the stairs to the basement...not running or carrying anything. Pop in my left leg...fall...here I am again! Doctors are going to test for underlying issues................if you have recurring tears, ask your doctor to test for underlying health issues.
ReplyDeleteMichelle
So sorry to hear that, Michelle! Keep us posted--maybe it won't be as bad as last time . . . Anyway, at least you know what to expect and how to help it heal.
ReplyDeleteHi Im 46 Male stepped out of a 4 wheel scooter onto a large piece of ballast rock at work and felt as if someone hit me with a rock I didnt know what happened asked my buddy that was with me if he heard the pop , he didnt but I did, anyway walked and worked for a week until I could get med help MRI showed to be a part tear in the medialhead I think they said , about 4 weeks of Pt 2 to 3 times a week and back to work , my work is walking long choo choo trains so my legs are , was in pretty good shape , but anyway now its 15 months later still a little sore and feels like a lot of stretching in the leg and sore behind the knee also my calf muscle is different looking not as bulky or strong as the other,How lon will this last,Or is this the way its gonna be . Comments welcome 4-14-11
ReplyDeleteI guess I'll be yet another one to say 'Wow' - glad to read many of these comments and my own story is similar to many of you. As I type I'm sitting with my calf on ice and elevated. I am a 36 year old female in relatively good shape - I strength train twice a week (and have regularly for almost 4 years) and took up running several years ago. I've had two back to back injuries to my knees requiring physical therapy but never any problems with my calves or muscles in my lower legs. I felt some tightness in my left calf last week and over the weekend but ignored it. Ran my first 5K after finishing physical therapy on my knee this weekend. Slow and steady - no problems with my knee (after a good icing) or my calf. Today I was going down stairs at home, which after my knee injuries is a bit more like stomping. Landed hard on my left side, felt a snap/pop and sharp pain in the mid to high section of my calf. Pain is subsiding unless I try to walk flat footed. Can't put any pressure on it but can walk on the very front of of my foot. Plan to see the ortho but they don't have any availability until next week when I'm suppose to be at Disneyland with my two young children. Hope I can get in to see my physical therapist tomorrow and am praying this is more like what I see described as a Grade 1 is then a Grade 2 or 3. Besides the ice, trying to stretch too - appreciate any and all advice on this blog!
ReplyDeleteI am a 64 year old woman and fell 10 days ago on my left knee. My knee isn't too bad, but my calf muscle is very sore to the touch and aches. Went to the doctor after a week, and she said no blood clot and sent me for an x-ray of the knee. Results aren't in yet. When I went to doctor she commented that my calf and shin had green discoloration. I never had a black and blue bruise. I can walk fairly well, slowly, but stepping up or down is painful. I don't know if I tore the calf muscle. Would an MRI show torn calf muscles? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHello fellow mad calf diseasers. I'm a 41 year old dude. Fairly active, though I could miss a few beers. It was basketball. Been playing some moderate intensity games w/ a nephew and others lately. It's really been fun, and great exercise, but I don't stretch, because I am too manly. Had been playing for like an hour when I was pulling down a rebound, landing kind of tippy toed, and it felt like a golf ball size knot formed mid calf, and then 'sploded. I went down and went into a swearing routine, which unfortunately didn't help.
ReplyDeleteWhen my leg is bent or straight, it is ok, and I can put a little weight on it, but when I straighten it to take a regular step and flex over the foot, tightening the calf, I get a sense of extreme unpleasentness. I think it is fairly minor, as there is no appreciable swelling or miscolorin'. I was on a bike and managed to pedal it home about a half mile, very gingerly on the left down stroke (it was mostly flat to down hill anyways).
I plan to give a doctor some money tomorrow to tell me to keep doing what I'm doing (RICE, advil and beer). I also will certainly make my dirt bike camp out and ride all next weekend, which might be a mistake. After that, I figure to start a hip-hop career, where I will become 'Hip-Hop-Along', the middle class white rhymer with the funky gait, yo.
Well unlike everyone else...I was sleeping when both my torn muscles occured. Both after night shift. First time was left leg and I had an ultrasound to confirm problem. That was 2 years ago and the second was 4 days ago. doctor friend came over and said the same thing had happened but in the right leg this time. I suffer cramps alot (deep thigh ones the worst) and they limit my activiities tremondously physically and mentally. In fact cramps or the thought of them rule my life. Parents both have history of cramps and one sister. Am so over it all. Scared to go to sleep now. The cramp 4 days ago was so bad I passed out from the pain (and I have a high pain threshhold)Scared my 10 year old son terribly as he saw it all. Frances
ReplyDeleteI recently injured my calf. I would like to think that I am fairly athletic 43yrs. Well, i was back in my 30's. I was walking towards a small hill. I ran to get to the top. Halfway up, i drove off with my right leg, and I felt the calf pop. It felt like a golfball popped out of my skin. immediately new something bad happened. Could not stand but was able to walk with a limp as not to flex my foot. Went to ER 3hours later, compression splint crutches, and meds. 4 days later, ditched the crutches for a cain, can stand and sleep elevated with no pain. occasionally get a twinge or small spasm. Dr appoint tomorrow for full assessment.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't sound nearly as bad as those that I have read on this blog, but still a debilitating injury.
I was told I tore a calf muscle last Sunday. Today is Saturday of the following week...and the worst day yet. I'm beginning to freak out. It all began with jumping away from a sound while as I was gardening (we have these horrible baby possums running around) and I felt a pull. It was sore for a few days, but it got better. Then on Sunday, I made a sudden move that required me to go up on my tip toes. I heard a pop. The ER doc was a jerk!...I'm reading now that some people got a boot to wear. Not me. I waited until 4 a.m. to get some rotten ibuprofen. The week started out ok. I was able to hobble around without crutches much of the time, but was careful to sit with my leg up every hour or so..first with ice, then by midweek, heat. The swelling had been bad, but is now gone. Now the back of my leg is very purple and more blood has pooled to my ankle and foot. Today the pain is excruciating to the point where I may as well bite on a leather strap to get through it.....and I MUST use my crutches. I plan to see the doctor Monday but am very concerned. Shouldn't I be feeling better...not worse?
ReplyDeleteWell I finally got a cam boot (seven days after I left the ER and was told to see a doc only if I felt worse..idiots!) Naturally, with an injury such as this, I did...however, by that time, my heel wouldn't go down at all, so the ortho had to force my heel into the boot. That was a good time. I felt like I was strapped to a torture device. I was glad to get rid of the crutches, but I must say, my pain is worse than before. Even though I am wearing a shoe on the healthy foot to offset the elevation of the boot, all kinds of different muscles are aching because of the awkwardness of this damn boot. Has anyone else experienced this? Funny, but my knee was fine before I wore this thing...now I can barely straighten it out. I am annoyed. I feel like the ortho should be employing some physical therapy as part of my recuperation to counteract this stiffness and pain...but he said to wear the boot for 3 weeks first. I could live with a torn muscle pain..it hurt..but not as badly as these muscle aches or the *reabsorption* of blood and fluids around the injured area. Last night was hell. I'm so miserable! Thanks for letting me vent. I just want to see a light at the end of this tunnel.
ReplyDeleteHi Everyone, Anon360 here. Most, if not all of you should have all healed by now, whereas I've just begun. I thank Alan and Everyone for your comments for it gives me mental strength.
ReplyDeleteMy Scenario:
Iam 37yr male of average fitness. I do play basketball,tennis,table tennis and practice martial arts whenever I can get a chance. I have never broken a bone, used a cast, nor had any surgery. My worst injury has been a sprained ankle in my younger years playing basketball. 8 months ago I began increasing my fitness level. Body weight from 98kg to 84kg, lost the love handles, got leaner and stronger with weight training, quicker and increased stamina with cardio. Even ran in the City2Surf (Australian Fun Run 14Klm)
I was basketball coaching one on one when my injury happened. I was shoulder faking then side stepping (a move I would have performed ten thousand times) when suddenly I felt my left calf muscle raise up but not drop down and my whole body stopped for 1 second and all focus was on my calf. Interestingly I felt NO Pain but knew something was wrong cause my calf muscle felt like it would not drop down. Seen the Doctor the next day and after the Ultrasound, Confirmed Torn Calf Muscle.
I do not feel much pain, except for a few nerve twitches here and there. Of Course Not standing on my left leg, using crutches. If I do have to stand up I have to use a back stance (most of the my weight supported by strong leg, knees slightly bent and the lead leg (injured) at the front.
Its really annoying cause I've worked hard to get fit and just as I felt I was really getting somewhere - INJURY!. I was just COACHING too.
A Question...Is it possible that the injured calf muscle heal and become stronger than previous? The Human Body is quite mysterious. I've known people do some crazy things with crazy results- eg. a muay thai boxer who intentionally breaks their shin, heals and becomes stronger OR a martial artist who beats his own thigh muscles (or other parts of the body) with a kali stick to bruise the muscle, heal and become stronger.
I cannot endure much pain and self-mutilation is surely OUT. I just wonder if anyone could verify "their Calfs became stronger" once healed. And method used. Of Course age plays a major part,(as well as diet, correct excercise.)
Good Luck, All the Best to everyone....Anon360
I have read several of the posts. Almost embarrassed to put my story here but here goes. 55 YO female in lousy shape. Reached up on tip toes to hang up a piece of clothing. Heard/felt the POP. Oh my gosh, it brought tears. Elevated left leg on ice as I type. 800mg ibuprofen and the hubs has gone out for the ace bandage and a cane. The thing that bothers me most is the length of time for healing I have read on here. And I fly a lot for work, about every other week. But the blog has been helpful since it is a Sunday and I do not want to go to the ER. May call my doctor on Monday if it is much worse. Good luck all.
ReplyDeleteHello, I also had the same injury, about 4 weeks ago. I have been most of the time using crutches. About a week ago, I tried starting to walk using the crutches, then tried with one, and yesterday without them. I can only make short steps, as I feel the calf very stiff, specially when the toes are lifting to make the step. How ever, I see progress each day. I am doing massages all day using castor oil, arnica or any sporting oil. Also took some antiinflamatory medicine. Alltogether seem to be helping. I hope to be fine in a couple of weeks. Good luck to everyone.
ReplyDeleteHi, I want to thank Alan for this blog. It has been very helpfull to me to read similar histories. I am not sure about my injury being a calf strain or only a calf contracture. It never got too much swollen or too much ache, and it never got bruised. I had ache, but not all the time, only when touching it. One thing that I am still struggling with is the fact of not being able of putting my heel on the floor 100%, I still need to go about 1/2 inch to reach the floor. I am using some heel lifts, but I read it is not such a good idea, as it may shorten the muscle more time. This blog is wonderfull but I would really appreciate to have more feedback from the people that has already gone through all this.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Hunter.
Hunter here....
ReplyDeleteSpecially I would like to know how all this ends, I mean, what were the signals you got when you were getting better, how much time did you walk during the day, how to know when to try even harder...all that kind of stuff. It seems as if everybody got better and forgot the rest of us still struggling with this nasty bug. Please share your experiences during the last phase.
Thanks in advance....!
Hunter - It is now 2011 and I haven't had a serious calf muscle problem in a while. It *does* take a long time to regain the strength and flexibility after the injury has healed.
ReplyDeleteWhen it is a serious tear, I would recommend taking it easy for at least 6 weeks. I walked all during that time, but was very careful to only walk. Others with more serious tears might require boots and crutches - luckily that was never the case for me.
After my second calf muscle was heeled, I ended up injuring other parts of my body (torn groin muscle, badly sprained ankle). I will say that the ankle I nearly broke during a soccer game has been *the* worse injury in terms of lingering effects and duration of recovery. It has been a couple years and I am only now starting to feel like it is nearing the strength it had before the injury.
As for my calf, I try and thoroughly stretch out before playing soccer, and "listen" to it. If I feel a suspect twinge in the calf, I'll back off and call it a day, and see how it feels in a week.
Things will get better, but take it slow when you start back up on exercising. A weakness in one of your muscles can sometimes cause injuries in other muscle groups as your body tries to shift some of the pressure/work to an uninjured group. This can cause injuries in these other areas due to the added stress.
As usual, all of us are different as are our injuries. Talk to your doctor and get an informed opinion (or two). What worked for me may not work for you.
Alan,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your feedback. I am feeling better now, only struggle in the morning and after being seated for a while. Also walking down the stairs is rather difficult, I am feeling my calf very stiff, but steps are wider each day.
Take care. Hunter.
Yes, I googled and found this blog, too! My story is actually a little embarrassing... While I am a runner, I hadn't run in a week or so. I also tend to get weekly leg cramps painful enough to wake me from a dead sleep and leave me in tears! Last week we had a pretty bad thunderstorm blow in. After it seemed to be over, I stepped outside to take a look when I huge lightening bolt lit up the entire sky! Knowing what was coming next, I jumped to run inside just as the huge boom of thunder shook the house! While in mid-air, I heard and felt the painful 'pop' in my right calf and went down to the ground in agony. Between laughing hysterically with my daughter at my antics and writhing/ crying in agony I realized I was really hurt. 6 hours later once home with vicodin, valium and a half cast I was told I probably tore my calf muscle. An Achilles tear was riled out, thankfully, and I see a sports med doctor tomorrow. I guess what as me the most depressed about my situation is the length of time I keep reading it will take to heal ( up o 4 months!) and the fact that I may have to quit running.
ReplyDeleteHere's my story: Playing tennis on a Sunday morning. I coasted through the first set 6-0, then got down 4-0 in the second. I come back to tie 5-5, 15-15 and then it hit me. I went after a low bouncing ball and felt that pop in my left calf. It was like someone threw a baseball at me. I tried to play a few games after it happened hoping it was a charley horse, but the pain just got worse. I had to retire from the match which sucked since it was a playoff match. I did rest it the remainder of the day, elevated it and put ice pack under it, but today it still hurts a lot. I will try to stay off of it and see doctor at end of week if there is no improvement.
ReplyDeleteHi Alan-
ReplyDeleteAmazing to see how many people have found your blog- for torn calf muscle! Add me to list of "googlers" finding your site.
Anyone re-tear the same area while rehabbing?
I'm an almost 40 year old female (seems to be the median age). I teach and coach tennis. The week of the tear I taught 9 hours straight, then four hours four the next few days- by the end of the week I was tired. ( hindsight is great) nevertheless- I booked an hour to be a hitting partner with an orthopedic surgeon (karma).
Halfway thru the lesson- i turned to run down a wide approach shot, bang! Felt like a golf club in the back of my right calf. Fell like a sack o potatoes.
Saw doc, 40% gastroc tear, full plantaris rupture (evidently no big deal- plantar is that is).
Got crutches and the boot. Boot for 6 weeks. Crutches 3 weeks.
8 weeks later...and feeling like I've regressed.
Anyone re- tear gastroc?
Been Out of boot 2 weeks. PT. Thought my eyes were going to blow up when they " massaged" the tear area. Started calf raises, toe raises, bike, leg press- been teaching 3 hours on leg- trying to not move suddenly. 5 days ago after hard PT and tennis, my leg swelled up like a baseball and hurt like crazy. At the point of the tear & up in back of knee. Hurt to the touch.(still tender) yet feels like a ball of jello is wiggling on the back of my leg when I walk (rather than shuffle) Been icing, no PT, called doc.
He's concerned that I re-tore it. He ordered the boot back on and seeing him Monday. I'm kinda at freak out stage. I can't believe this thing won't heal! Anyone else go through this? Or is it just my pure stupidity? Nightmare injury... Any magic words of wisdom? Btw- I've been banned from the court til Xmas, but hoping to compete in triathlons again this summer.
Sorry for the rambling- just extremely frustrated!
Pam
Im 43 and active. I tore my gastroc muscle in July 2011 a week before kids broke up for summer hols! I think I tore the lower area around achilles/soleus (above ankle) also. Tore it by my first step to sprint in rain to get ticket for car! Heard a pop and thought I'd been shot in leg. Turned around but no one was there...then big pain!!! Cldnt walk...hopped across rd to boyfriend.
ReplyDeleteWas on crutches for approx 7-8 wks. Did the RICE and homeopathy. Work in Chiro clinic with Massage therapists, got sports massage and ultra sound regularly. Tried acupuncture and seemingly was getting better....
Have gone back to gym, twice a week, yoga once a week. Am aware and have not continued to run since. Have eased back into this, not rushed. Do plenty of stretching.
Measured leg in November 2011 and it measure 38cm around calf muscle but my good leg measures 36cm. I still have swelling. Still put leg up in eve's, put tubby grip on and ice. Had to buy new shoes/boots as cld not do up some of them!
Wondering how long swelling takes to go down?!! Dr advised having a doppler scan to reveal whether blood is moving as it shld be. It just doesnt feel right, by end of day is heavy, doesnt hurt but feels strange!!
Anyone tell me how long swelling stays around for??
Liz G
Hmmm...I'm in the Army. 5 days before deployment to Astan, was running on a treadmill and heard the pop...knew I was in trouble. Went to er, then to ortho. Grade 2 tear from bottom of calf to knee. This happened Jan 14th. Absolutely no swelling and very mild bruising ad of day 9. Hoping to catch last chalk outta here in two weeks or so. Am very optimistic. Doctor however says 6 weeks minimum.
ReplyDeleteNow...with that story being said this is not my first tear. I tore my left calf muscle 6 months ago before pre-mobilization. Grade 3 tear. Spent 3 much needed weeks in boot then did extensive physical therapy. There is hope folks...but you have to put the pain and sweat in to get the prize.
Physical therapy was every day for two straight weeks. Was atleast two hours a day. Some pool time, treadmill time, stretching time, and deep tissue massage time. When I say deep tissue massage...I mean bring tears to your eyes deep. It breaks up the scar tissue so you have more flexibility. I was running at full capacity 3 miles in 4 weeks on a grade 3 tear.
Moral of my story is no pain no gain. However...don't overdo it on your own, trust your therapist as they know what they are doing. I made my mobilization training by two days on the first tear. I plan on making it again on the actual deployment as well.
Best of luck to everyone and a quick recovery time.
13F-10L7 Fister ...out.
Hello Folks, I have been reading these posts for a couple years since I tore a calf muscle playing tennis, and earlier, of all things, by bowling.
ReplyDeleteWhat I want to tell everyone is that, in the last year or two, I had a lot of stiffness which manifested itself as pain in my heel especially first thing in the morning, and also after driving long distances. I figured out I could reduce the pain by stretching.
But, only recently, I learned what a "sports stick" is.
I am writing to tell everyone who has injured a calf muscle to go out and get one of these.
I began to massage my calf muscles with two different ones of these and immediately discovered a big bump hidden within my calf muscle in one leg that was where I had torn it years ago. It apparently had never completely healed properly. The other calf also was very sore when I first began to massage it.
After two weeks of working on my calves, I have greatly reduced that large bump in one calf muscle and I am walking entirely normally. And, I have no pain in the morning in my heels when I take my first steps. I can see that what I am doing is finally breaking down a lot of scar tissue that had been there for a long while.
It seems the capacity to heal is not gone, even though I was woefully ignorant about my condition for years. I never did see a therapist about either injury.
So, everyone who injured themselves, even years ago, should go out and get one of these sports sticks. (It seems to me you can also do a lot of good for yourself with a kitchen rolling pin!) There are a number of different kinds. The one I like better has large ridges, so it can press more deeply into my calves and get at the issue.
I have noticed that, after massaging my calves, I feel weak running. But, that is temporary. It is so much more important that I now have a tool to enable me to get over these long ago injuries.
Best regards, Derek Bloom
Was running around the house playing with our shiatsu dog in the kitchen, I feel my left calf muscle pop and it hurt like h377. It is now swollen and I can't walk more than something that looks like baby steps. I snow ski nearly 4-5 times every year, am in pretty good shape not overweight, etc. I'm 42 so I don't know just hope my right one doesn't do this. I have a job interview in only 2 weeks. hope it gets well before then. how long does it take before you can walk on it normally
ReplyDeleteI partially tore the "big" calf muscle in my left leg- almost 1 year ago to this date. Pretty funny- all I did was take a running start into a jump. No, I did not stretch beforehand. I am still getting pains in the back and front of my calf. Sometimes it feels "funny" when I start walking. I feel like bad things would happen if I would jog or run. I just don't think it's healed properly or yet. Since the injury- I've exercised very moderately. Brisk walks on the treadmill, bike, or treadclimber- so nothing strenuous. Is it worth going back to the doctor? Or at my age (37) should I just accept I will get pings & pangs?
ReplyDeleteI was training for a half-marathon and was doing hills. I hadn't adequately stretched or hydrated prior to this practice run and two miles into the run I felt a snap like a violin string that was too tight: "bo-iing"! Yikes. I was scared to death it was my achilles tendon. A personal trainer helped me ascertain that it was not an achilles tear. However I don't know how long to wait he recovery out or if I should even continue my half marathon training at all at this point. Oi vey! Alissa
ReplyDeleteI am 43. I did a minor tear/pull of my calf in November, playing football. A week later, at about 80%, I played again (as it was the finals). 4 game, mostly in pain and not at full speed. Probably very dump (but we did win the championship and I had 3 INTs and 2 TDs!)
ReplyDeleteAnyway. January rolls around, and I start playing basketball. for 4 straight weeks(Mondays), I play, but I can tell my calf is not 100%. Every week, by the end of the hoops game, it hurts a lot and I can't play any more. For two to three days afterwards, I limp around in pain. By the next Monday, i feel well enough to play. And the same thing happens.
Well, this past week, it finally fully tore (felt like someone hitting my calf with a bat) Now I am in a walking boot...out 6-8 weeks.
So - bottom line! DONT PLAY ON IT UNTIL IT IS 100% HEALED!
Well, I guess I am one of MANY who has felt that "pop!" Ahhhh, I'm so frustrated. I teach Zumba classes and 2nd song into the class I was up on my toes and then it happened. I limped around immediately after it happened, but.... the show must go on. For the remainin 45 minutes I gave some pathetic rendition of Latin dance. Thankfully the front row of my class kept it going. (keep in mind I'm a serious triathlete and train all year long. Who knew that zumba could pose such a risk! Darn those sexy latin beats!)
ReplyDeleteI couldn't walk without a severe limp that day. I didn't see any swelling or bruising either. Everytime I'd sit down, it would tighten up horribly! I'm on day 5 of healing and still no bruising which is good. Everyday it gets a little bit better. I guess there is a lesson here: I'm not 18 anymore, LOL. Remember the days when you were invincible and a strenuous workout didn't phase your muscles one bit? Those days are LONG gone.
While I don't wish pain on anyone, it's nice to know and hear about others' stories. Thanks!
I sprang my anckle about a month and a half ago and the pain has slowly moved up into my calf feels like a charlie. Horse somewhat but been checked for blood clot no clot so I'm wondering if its my injury healing ???
ReplyDeleteAdd me to the injured list as of last Thurs afternoon! Not sure if the tear caused the stupid little fall skiing slowly down an easy run or the silly fall caused the tear. Slowest one ski descent of the mountain ever to the hotel where I confirmed what I thought straight away, the only reason I could stand up was the tightly fastened ski boot!
ReplyDeleteHobbled off to the doctors and a few x-rays later had it confirmed nothing broken but a torn Gastrocnemius. RICE, pain killers and antiflams (and no skiing for 3 weeks, probably unnecessary advice given I could hardly walk!)
Think I managed to do something more to it getting off the plane home yesterday as it is much worse today so off to see the doc here at home in the morning to see if anything different is the order of the day.
Yesterday my daughter was at softball practice and she twisted her ankle but felt no pain in her ankle she felt a pop in here lower leg and now she is limping around.. we are taking her to the docters today... do you thinks it's a pulled calf mussle?
ReplyDeleteAnon - depends! I've rolled my ankle so badly that there was an audible pop that the guy defending me heard, and which at first appeared to be a broken ankle.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, I knew it was my ankle, and that's where the pain was. Since your daughter doesn't feel any pain there, then it could indeed be a calf muscle injury, or worse, an achilles injury.
Good luck!
After playing league squash for 40 years, I was told not to play it any more by my cardiologist as there were some issues, so I took up race walking instead - usually 21Kms and sometimes up to 50 Kms distances. I consider myself to be fit. Last week I decided to show some novices how to play squash, and after about 30 minutes on the court KA-POW ! I thought that I'd been whacked by my opponenet's racquet on my calf. Hurt like hell. My calf is swollen, and there is now a purpleish mark developing towards the bottom of my heel, where its also swollem. I've applied TranAct bandages, and I think I'm on the mend, but it will some time to heal as I cant walk except by using the injured leg at an angle. Oh I forgot to tell you, I'm 70 years old, and my wife thinks I'm an A grade A-hole. For the first time in my life, I agree with her. Take care. John T
ReplyDeleteI was playing softball. On the run from first to second I felt a pop. The pain was pretty bad. A little over a week later, I'm in a walking cast and still can't put weight on that leg. This injury blows! I'm missing out on a bunch of stuff because I can't walk without crutches. I'm supposed to start PT next week.
ReplyDeleteMy, this is a long thread! And, somewhat aged, but then I guess I am too. I'm 40, just retired from the military and haven't worked out in about 4 months. 9 days ago I was going down a 4 lane divided highway and noticed an older model full size pickup just sitting in the right lane with the door open and someone sitting inside. First reaction, pull over and offer assistance... Ok smart reaction, but not the smartest idea for correcting the situation. I noticed there was a driveway about 40-50 feet behind the truck and we agreed "we" could push the truck into it. So he put the truck in neutral and I started pushing it backwards with traffic whizzing by with me praying for safety from the speeding semi trucks the entire time. When the truck started to move, he hopped in the truck and closed the door. I'm sure he was afraid of being hit by the traffic too, but I needed the help...4x4 truck with a camper shell on the back! What was I thinking! Anyhow, I pushed with all I had and was making progress until he had to crank the wheel to get into the driveway. Obviously, knowing we were almost there, I started pushing with everything I had until my left calf gave out. It felt like my muscle was a large rubber band that someone had pulled away from my leg and let it snap back. It "rang my bell" and I was done! Thankfully someone saw me limping around and finished the job of pushing the truck the last 8 feet off the road. I have swelling and a large patch of yellow discoloration over my entire calf and I have days where I can walk normally, then stupidly over-do it and I'm in pain the entire next day. I'm getting back on crutches until it stops hurting then I'm going to stretch and start on a strengthening routine. Lesson learned! Gotta remember how old you are even when trying to help!
ReplyDeleteHi! Im 27 years old and very active in sports and weightlifting. My story is a little different as I actually managed to pull my left calf muscle in my sleep!
ReplyDeleteI woke up to myself stretching when I suddenly got the sensation of stretching my legs too far! Thats when the pop came followed by powerful leg spasms.
Its been two weeks now and Im still in crutches. The bad news is that Im supposed to travel to asia on holiday in 1 week :( I guess my girlfriend down there has to make do with a crippled boyfriend hehehe! Seriously depressing stuff. Anyways Ive had a good steady recovery rate as it doesnt hurt anymore and Im even able to support myself a bit on the leg now. Theres no bruising and Im using elevation and compression with a little heat applied to loosen up the muscle. Wish me luck!
5 years since updates here it looks like. I'm 47 pretty good shape considering. I was jogging through my back yard and found out my Jack Russell dug a huge hole right off the end of my sidewalk. One stride before and the ground went out from under me other than my toes and ball of my foot. My heel dropped so fast that the top of my foot nearly met the front of my shin. I thought for a second that I had compound fractured my tib/fib because of the searing and instant agony. I limped into the house trying not to get sick. It didn't take long to figure out it was tendon or muscle. My doc wasn't in today. I'm self employed so I had to work. I'm about 9 hours in and finally getting off my feet. I I think it's too late to ice it. I figure that If I can't walk when I get up in the morning I'll go see a doc up here. (Now 300 miles from home) if I can, I'll tough it out. It's swollen and has some color. For me to bruise it had to be really bad. So again we'll see in the morning
ReplyDeleteOh my God! You don't even want to know why I Googled torn calf muscle on a Saturday night/Sunday morning, suffice it to say I found this blog. I haven't read all the accounts but I find it fascinating that the majority of people tore their left calf muscle, myself included. It's around 7 years ago now since I did this and once healed it never troubled me again. How did I manage to do this? No heroics were involved or any great sporting feats. I simply came home from work, removed my boots which had a medium heal, I saw yet another cat in the back garden about to mark it's territory and ran out of the patio door down the path. Three strides in and I felt a pop in my left calf. I hobbled back inside, sat on the sofa with my leg elevated then the pain hit, I didn't know if I was going to pass out or throw up and I was, apparently, as white as a sheet.
ReplyDeleteNow I'm no wuss, I gave birth to an 8lb 4oz baby using just gas and air I know what pain is, but this, this was another level altogether. I called NHS Direct, (a phone service in the UK that give medical advice, they can save you from sitting hours on end in your local casualty department) and spoke with a fully qualified nurse who advised me to go immediately to A&E (Emergency Room). Turns out sometimes that 'pop' can be your achilles or a ligament. Thankfully I was diagnosed with a torn calf muscle. I was advised that some tears bleed and some don't but if it does the muscle recovers faster. Mine didn't bleed and was described as encapsulated, I found this out when I attended for physio.
I was given physio exercises to do at home. I think I was advised to do them 3/4 times a day. The physio told me that if I didn't do the exercises my muscle would heal short and would be prone to more tears further down the line, needless to say I did those exercises religiously and yes, going on tip toes was the hardest part, my leg was so weak. It took around 10 weeks for me to be able to do a slight jog, and I mean just a few steps, without any form of pain.
I took my recovery slow, I didn't want to feel that pain again, and kept up with the physio for quite a few months afterwards to the point that now I'm sat here thinking about it, I regularly stretch and tense my calves whilst sitting watching TV and as I mentioned earlier 7 yearsish down the line and it's not happened again.
My advice to anyone with this injury is to listen to your health professional, of course challenge if you think it's more serious, make the most of your physiotherapy, take it easy don't push too hard and listen to your body it knows when it's fully healed.
Jane
I feel your pain....day off today and I go to the beach...sprinting like a child not a 55yr ... out of the very cold surf suddenly felt like a cramp in my calf....ouch..I'm home now....leg up, ice reading this blog.....
ReplyDeleteSo the day before yesterday i am in bed having a rest and i turn over on my left side and feel a snap. no pain but then i try to walk and cant without extreme pain. so i call a family member to take me to quick care...they look at my leg measure it and say it looks fine... i asked if they would x ray it and they did but found nothing. Then the doc says go see your doc in 1 week so i make an appointment take a pain pill and hit the sack. (sleep) S the next day i can hardly move decide i better go to the ER drove myself there get in to see the doc and they put me in a boot and give me crutches and tell me to rest and relax. so on the 20th we will see about an MRI. i really don't know what the issue is but it keeps happening even when i have the boot on.
ReplyDeleteI was hit by a truck. Well, an SUV. I was sitting on the back of my boyfriend's motorcycle, we were going straight and had the right of way, the suv driver turned in front of us, he swerved just enough that my right leg from the knee down was smashed against his front bumper and the licence plate tore a gash in my shin. The ankle, calf and knee were also bruised and swollen, the upper calf still is swollen enough that i cant bend it fully or sit cross-legged. I know how to treat the sprained ankle but was searching on how to treat the rest of the leg since it's almost 3 weeks and the swelling still hasn't gone down, and the doctors were happy that nothing was broken so apart from being told to ice my ankle and how to clean the wound when i had my stitches removed, i've been given no advice or time frame as to when it should be somewhat normal again
ReplyDeleteI am also not able to walk at day 9. I was wondering if I am strange. Everyone else seems to be walking within days.
ReplyDelete49 yo female - mother of a 7 year old.
ReplyDeleteLeviquin ( and prednisone)
I read the dire warnings on the box that said leviquin ALONE can make your tendons and ligaments " prone" to injury for 6 !!! Months. I have severe asthma and had a bad case of pneumonia. Prednisone is a must. I took my very last pill today. I stepped down out of a high SUV. As soon as I put my weight down, I felt the same thing as many here. I felt a pop and a sharp pain. I was literally standing in traffic so I stiff walked to safety. The whole time thinking of the ( not so stupid) sticker on the prescription bottle. Standing is fine , but it I try to go up on my toes it feels like an 8 on the 10 scale for pain. I can lay on my stomach and extend and flex my foot, although flexing is a 2 and extending my foot does not hurt at all. Add to all this I am 700 miles from home on vacation and you have all the making of a daytime drama series. I can go to ER but, I don't know if RICE will be good enough until I fly home. I live near Boston and can get injury specific care if I can fly.
BIG LESSON LEARNED - when you read the pharmacy stickers ( all 6 of them) and you just roll your eyes because , who do those things happen too? It happens !! Doing something you do every day the same way. But, on that one special day ..... Your stars aren't in line and you become one of the " who" it happens to.
My boyfriend thought it would be funny to hide in our bathroom with the lights off and scare me. So I was getting ready for bed and I was heading into the bathroom to wash up,before i could even turn the light on he jumped out from behind the door.He does this often so you would think I would be used to it but we had just watched a horror movie so I was on edge. I lunged toward him to slap him and that's when I heard the "pop". I hit the floor and sat there for a minute. When I attempted to stand up the real pain hit me. So I hobbled to bed and went to sleep hoping it would feel better in the morning. Well it's now 10:28 a.m. and I'm in a lot of pain and still hobbling around. Looks like I'll be heading to the e.r. very shortly.
ReplyDeleteI was helping to coach my sons soccer team, jumped for the ball and got kicked in the middle of my calf ,6 months later its now deformed ,what do i do i half huge muscular calfs ,and now I dont HELP
ReplyDeleteIt's 2017 and your blog has come up 6th in my Google search. This is my first calf muscle injury, I sustain ankle injuries every 5-7 years, so this is a brand new experience. I've been down for 3 weeks, I'm very discouraged, and my physician is not being helful.
ReplyDeleteI am 46 years old, I teach swim and lead adult water fitness classes. I am in excellent health as compared to my peers and I know to warm up my muscles before activity. End of February this year, I was working off a diving board and pulled my calf muscle in my right leg. 3 weeks later, I was demonstrating jump tucks on deck for a water class, which irritated my calf, but was not horrible. A week later, I did a cannon ball (short run on deck, and a good push off with my R leg to get high to maximize splash) and that's when it "popped".
I went to ER, where I was palpated, told my tendons were safe demonstrated by the location of pain, given crutches and an air cast, and sent home with a follow-up at an ortho doc.
When I saw the ortho doc, he questioned the dog hair on my pants and asked why I was using crutches. Absolutely no helpful information in relation to recovery time or personal support to encourage good healing.
After 3 weeks, I am still unable to bear weight on my leg. If I make an attempt, I experience a burning, tearing pain in my calf.
I am looking very forward to reading through comments and other experiences to hopefully glean some information to better manage my healing. Thankyou for blogging!
Anonymous Cannon Ball, I am so happy to read your story! I know you will probably never come back here, but your experience is mie exactly, and I am so discouraged. I am curious to kow how you healed and if you have had complications after?
ReplyDelete