Calf Troubles

Currently sat with my leg on ice as two ibuprofen hopefully work some magic, feeling sorry for myself after my calf 'popping' four miles into a run and having to limp home.

Miserable.

Just hoping it's better for Wasdale.

In case anyone has any advice, the pain is on the outside/left side of my left calf, near the point where the main calf muscle stops and it really hurts if I put any pressure on it. I suppose the best advice is the usual advice of give it time or see a physio.

Hope everyone else is having a better evening:)

Hate to speculate, but a 'popping' (sound/feeling?) around where muscle/tendon meet could be a severe tear...my advice is to get a physio/sports massage therapist to help you work out what you've done, and give you advice on how to go with rehab. Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation (above heart level) is the best thing to do for now.
best wishes for a speedy recovery,
Lynne

ps. stop prodding it to see if it still hurts - a natural reaction but one which doesn't usually help in the first few days of injuring soft tissues!

Hi, thanks for that. Yes, I'd say it was more of a feeling than sound. Had a slight twinge 10 days ago and this was my first run since then. Obviously didn't give it long enough.

Think I'll follow your advice about seeing someone, and also about not prodding! Thanks again.

I've not popped by strained my calf in that area a couple
of times I think it might be the soleus muscle. RICE is best my problems with
this kind of injury has been trying to
get back to running to quickly. I've found with recent experience at least two weeks
for a gentle strain.

You have my sympathy LFF as I've got lower leg problems as well since Saturday. It's affecting my whole lower right leg. Its swollen from below the knee to the ankle. I measured it and my right lower leg is 1" wider round the calf muscle and 0.5" wider round my lower leg than the good left one!. It will bear my weight ok but its very difficult to walk on without pain. I iced it when I got home from the race on Saturday and have been resting it up since but I'm getting concerned now as the swelling is showing no sign of reducing. I plan to see my GP tomorrow to make sure its not something other than muscle damage. It's looking like a long haul at the moment though so I don't see any running in the near future :thunbdown:

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Originally Posted by Alf

You have my sympathy LFF as I've got lower leg problems as well since Saturday. It's affecting my whole lower right leg. Its swollen from below the knee to the ankle. I measured it and my right lower leg is 1" wider round the calf muscle and 0.5" wider round my lower leg than the good left one!. It will bear my weight ok but its very difficult to walk on without pain. I iced it when I got home from the race on Saturday and have been resting it up since but I'm getting concerned now as the swelling is showing no sign of reducing. I plan to see my GP tomorrow to make sure its not something other than muscle damage. It's looking like a long haul at the moment though so I don't see any running in the near future :thunbdown:

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Glad yr off to see yr GP so quickly. make sure your leg/foot is elevated above your heart - and if you can sleep with a pillow under your leg - this lets gravity help with draining excess fluids

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alf

You have my sympathy LFF as I've got lower leg problems as well since Saturday. It's affecting my whole lower right leg. Its swollen from below the knee to the ankle. I measured it and my right lower leg is 1" wider round the calf muscle and 0.5" wider round my lower leg than the good left one!. It will bear my weight ok but its very difficult to walk on without pain. I iced it when I got home from the race on Saturday and have been resting it up since but I'm getting concerned now as the swelling is showing no sign of reducing. I plan to see my GP tomorrow to make sure its not something other than muscle damage. It's looking like a long haul at the moment though so I don't see any running in the near future :thunbdown:

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Sorry to hear that. Hope it's nothing serious.

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Originally Posted by cyclops

Glad yr off to see yr GP so quickly. make sure your leg/foot is elevated above your heart - and if you can sleep with a pillow under your leg - this lets gravity help with draining excess fluids

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Thanks for the tip about the pillow I am trying that out. I saw the GP and he has given me some anti-inflammatories and told me to keep the leg moving (he mentioned blood clots which was a bit scary!) but no physio till the swelling goes down. Some spectacular bruising starting to appear now and I am busy perfecting my "man walking through a minefield" impersonation :rolleyes: Every now and then I overstep and this pathetic little squeal comes out from my mouth :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alf

Thanks for the tip about the pillow I am trying that out. I saw the GP and he has given me some anti-inflammatories and told me to keep the leg moving (he mentioned blood clots which was a bit scary!) but no physio till the swelling goes down. Some spectacular bruising starting to appear now and I am busy perfecting my "man walking through a minefield" impersonation :rolleyes: Every now and then I overstep and this pathetic little squeal comes out from my mouth :D

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I've had a DVT in the past and there was swelling and pain, but no bruising, so hopefully it's 'just' a strain of some sort.

Physio for me tonight anyway.

(And am also doing the pillow bit.)

I went to a physio last night and he diagnosed it as a muscle tear, but nothing too serious. Said no running for two weeks and ruled out Wasdale (based on the distance alone, I hadn't mentioned the mountains). Still keeping a glimmer of hope that I'll be ok for it, but not to worry if not. It's hardly Andy Schleck missing out on the TdeF!

Don't imagine there's many fell runners in these parts, but I'd really recommend the place if there are any:

http://www.loughboroughphysio.com/

I saw Dave and he was great.

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Originally Posted by L.F.F.

I went to a physio last night and he diagnosed it as a muscle tear, but nothing too serious. Said no running for two weeks and ruled out Wasdale (based on the distance alone, I hadn't mentioned the mountains). Still keeping a glimmer of hope that I'll be ok for it, but not to worry if not. It's hardly Andy Schleck missing out on the TdeF!

Don't imagine there's many fell runners in these parts, but I'd really recommend the place if there are any:

http://www.loughboroughphysio.com/

I saw Dave and he was great.

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Thats good news Josh , glad you know exactly what the problem is and what you have to do now.

Progress:

2 Physio sessions after seeing GP for second time. The GP just said I needed physio on the second visit. The physio (private) said I could have gone to them much earlier. All the bruising/fluid eventually drained down into my foot but I am still unable to contract my right inside calf muscle and it still looks swollen compared with the left one. I can't lift myself off my toes using my right leg only, its not painful it just doesn't work. Its painful when the physio digs her fingers into my calf however to break up the scar tissue and the ultrasound is really weird as your leg muscle suddenly starts twitching and pricking. The physio is confident she can rebuild me though and get me back running again so at least I am feeling positive at the moment :thumbup:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alf

Progress:

2 Physio sessions after seeing GP for second time. The GP just said I needed physio on the second visit. The physio (private) said I could have gone to them much earlier. All the bruising/fluid eventually drained down into my foot but I am still unable to contract my right inside calf muscle and it still looks swollen compared with the left one. I can't lift myself off my toes using my right leg only, its not painful it just doesn't work. Its painful when the physio digs her fingers into my calf however to break up the scar tissue and the ultrasound is really weird as your leg muscle suddenly starts twitching and pricking. The physio is confident she can rebuild me though and get me back running again so at least I am feeling positive at the moment :thumbup:

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I'm a bit behind with the forum due to busy work period - good to hear your on the mend Alf. How is the calf now? Sadly the NHS are often too slow in getting referrals for physio/soft tissue therapy - there is often something that can be done in the first few days after injury that can speed up rehab. It's also good to get advice as early as possible so you have realistic expectations about what you can and can't do.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by L.F.F.

I went to a physio last night and he diagnosed it as a muscle tear, but nothing too serious. Said no running for two weeks and ruled out Wasdale (based on the distance alone, I hadn't mentioned the mountains). Still keeping a glimmer of hope that I'll be ok for it, but not to worry if not. It's hardly Andy Schleck missing out on the TdeF!

Don't imagine there's many fell runners in these parts, but I'd really recommend the place if there are any:

http://www.loughboroughphysio.com/

I saw Dave and he was great.

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LFF - how's your muscle tear healing? are you back running yet?

Hi,

Yes, back running now. I had two and a half weeks off after it, doing stretches and some swimming, building up to walks with some 'trotting' and then three miles out with a half mile run, half mile walk, building up to a mile run. I did Wasdale, taking it gently (not that that seemed to make it easier!) and had another week off after that.

Getting back into it now. Can still feel something in the area the day afeter I've run, but it's pretty much not noticeable when running, which I thought was a bit odd. Maybe scar tissue? No idea.

Fingers crossed I'm ok though.

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Originally Posted by L.F.F.

Hi,

Yes, back running now. I had two and a half weeks off after it, doing stretches and some swimming, building up to walks with some 'trotting' and then three miles out with a half mile run, half mile walk, building up to a mile run. I did Wasdale, taking it gently (not that that seemed to make it easier!) and had another week off after that.

Getting back into it now. Can still feel something in the area the day afeter I've run, but it's pretty much not noticeable when running, which I thought was a bit odd. Maybe scar tissue? No idea.

Fingers crossed I'm ok though.

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Yey, glad yr back running. It could be scar tissue that you're feeling in the area - might be worth you having a soft tissue treatment at some point soon so it can be worked through. Realigning the tissues correctly after injury could help to prevent that being a weak area in the future.
good news yr running, always a good feeling :)

Thanks. Might do that then. That makes sense.

Yes, it's quite nice running after being off for a while. Your usual expectations are out the window and you're just appreciating being out there again.

Running again Yippppeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

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Originally Posted by Alf

Running again Yippppeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

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Congratulations Alf!! Been following your posts with interest this past week. I had pain and swelling around the calf and bruising following 20 miler last Sunday. I picked up on the point your physio made about going to see them earlier and heeded your advice. Went straight to physio on Monday and its been diagnosed with a grade 1 tear.

So with 2 weeks to go to the Kielder Trail Marathon it's looking ok that I might be able to make it, despite the probability it'll be on the back of 3 weeks rest and recovery.

I would've normally passed it off as usual aches and pains (apart from the bruising which I'd never had before) but people putting their experiences on the forum really convinced me it needed to be seen to. Thanks!!

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Originally Posted by sifell

Congratulations Alf!! Been following your posts with interest this past week. I had pain and swelling around the calf and bruising following 20 miler last Sunday. I picked up on the point your physio made about going to see them earlier and heeded your advice. Went straight to physio on Monday and its been diagnosed with a grade 1 tear.

So with 2 weeks to go to the Kielder Trail Marathon it's looking ok that I might be able to make it, despite the probability it'll be on the back of 3 weeks rest and recovery.

I would've normally passed it off as usual aches and pains (apart from the bruising which I'd never had before) but people putting their experiences on the forum really convinced me it needed to be seen to. Thanks!!

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Hope you make the Kielder sifell. I have a way to go before I race again but the muscle on my right calf is now starting to resemble the muscle on my left calf so confidence is high :D I did refer to my physio (affectionately:rolleyes:) as Helga in the house of pain as it *leeding hurt at times but it did the trick and I would recommend anyone else to go down the physio path sooner than later :D