Pulled calf muscle

[LeifUK]

Two weeks ago I woke with severe pain in my right calf. The day before I skated on very tired legs, and overdid it. I assume it is what they call a level 2 strain ie not serious but painful. I have not skated since, and thought it was getting better, but today when gardening it started cramping, and now it hurts a lot.

I’d appreciate advice from anyone who has had similar, and what happened in your case. How long were you off ice for? How did you know when you cluld skate again? Did you go on too soon? When did you start doing gym work such as squats?

Yes I know this isn’t a medical forum, but this is a minor injury, albeit annoying.

Click to read more...

 

[tarheelhockey]

Two weeks ago I woke with severe pain in my right calf. The day before I skated on very tired legs, and overdid it. I assume it is what they call a level 2 strain ie not serious but painful. I have not skated since, and thought it was getting better, but today when gardening it started cramping, and now it hurts a lot.

I’d appreciate advice from anyone who has had similar, and what happened in your case. How long were you off ice for? How did you know when you cluld skate again? Did you go on too soon? When did you start doing gym work such as squats?

Yes I know this isn’t a medical forum, but this is a minor injury, albeit annoying.

If it’s really a grade 2 strain, you should get started with physical therapy or you could be looking at months till full recovery.

That said, the fact you were able to finish the game, go home, and go to sleep without realizing you had a problem suggests it might not be grade 2. There’s a possibility it could have “popped” in your sleep, but that sounds more like cramping than a full-on strain.

I know “see a doctor” replies are the worst, but you probably should see a doctor in this case. I’m not confident you’ll get a good answer on the internet.

 

[Blue and Green]

Two weeks ago I woke with severe pain in my right calf. The day before I skated on very tired legs, and overdid it. I assume it is what they call a level 2 strain ie not serious but painful. I have not skated since, and thought it was getting better, but today when gardening it started cramping, and now it hurts a lot.

I’d appreciate advice from anyone who has had similar, and what happened in your case. How long were you off ice for? How did you know when you cluld skate again? Did you go on too soon? When did you start doing gym work such as squats?

Yes I know this isn’t a medical forum, but this is a minor injury, albeit annoying.

While running I strained my right calf in one year and the left calf in the next year. Trust me, you really have to take your time with calf injuries or they will continue to haunt you. A few days without pain does not necessarily mean it is healed.

If you need advice and assistance for healing the injury, a physiotherapist is a better option than a doctor. See if you can find a physio who specializes in lower leg injuries.

 

[LeifUK]

Thanks both. Incidentally it was public skating that did it, I was tired from hockey the day before, but did a lot of sprinting.

I think the physio suggestion is a good one.

Oddly enough what is giving me great pain is kneeling down to garden.

 

[Edmonton East]

A lot depends on your age and the shape you are in. Healing time always depends on the person, as useless as that info is.

I strained my calf (grade 2 tear) this past summer in an all day soccer tourney. Was definitely a case of overworking it as well since I had been doing steep hills all week leading up to it, so just a small cut/turn in the 2nd game resulted in a sharp pain in my right calf. In my 20s and still dumb enough to play through injuries as if I'm still playing college ball, I hobbled around for the next 4 games while shoveling down advil and applying a tub of icy hot.

Could not WALK the next 3 days. Kept icing/heating, using a roller, stretching, and massaging the area. Took about 2 weeks before I could walk without moderate+ pain, but from there it got better fairly quickly. Played 3 weeks afterwards because it was playoffs in my men's league....luckily ended up mostly fine, but it felt tight both during and after the game so I was probably fortunate not to re-injure.

OR, in summary:

Yadda yadda yadda, 1 month to be safe. But if you are active and in your 20s or younger, I doubt that realistically happens.

 

[LeifUK]

Thanks. I’m 55 but very fit, 6+ hours skating a week plus some gym, but I’ve done nothing for two weeks. I’m going to play it safe, and take at least three weeks rest. Unless I die of terminal boredom first. Will chat with personal trainer tomorrow about physiotherapist.