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Howdy chaps, after some expert medical advice!
Tore my calf playing football (first time in years) just over 2 weeks ago at the grand old age of 37. Felt like I took a cricket ball to the calf, then couldn't put any weight on it. Eased up over a few days and within a week I was just about walking normally again, but re-twinged it last Monday. This didn't seem to set back progress, as still walking OK but it wasn't until then that it bruised up.
Now some 9-10 days later I am walking fine, leg feels fine even going upstairs on my toes/balls of feet, gentle few yard jog etc, but it's still bruised up - no swelling or pain, there was never really any swelling. Those of you who have experienced this, how long did bruising last and at what point did you get back to running etc? Whilst I feel fine, I'm hesitant to over do it, seems like the bruising is a sign that all isn't yet well!
Tore my calf playing football (first time in years) just over 2 weeks ago at the grand old age of 37. Felt like I took a cricket ball to the calf, then couldn't put any weight on it. Eased up over a few days and within a week I was just about walking normally again, but re-twinged it last Monday. This didn't seem to set back progress, as still walking OK but it wasn't until then that it bruised up.
Now some 9-10 days later I am walking fine, leg feels fine even going upstairs on my toes/balls of feet, gentle few yard jog etc, but it's still bruised up - no swelling or pain, there was never really any swelling. Those of you who have experienced this, how long did bruising last and at what point did you get back to running etc? Whilst I feel fine, I'm hesitant to over do it, seems like the bruising is a sign that all isn't yet well!
I tore mine a couple of weeks ago just coming down the stairs. Having decided via Dr Google that it wasn't a grade 3 tear requiring urgent surgery the only treatment seemed to be Rest Ice Compression & Elevation so I strapped a bag of peas to it & propped it up for a couple of days.
I then booked an appointment with a physiotherapist & I've had a couple of sessions of Shockwave Therapy with some sort of air driven hammer machine: I was slightly alarmed when she said It shouldn't be more than 7 out of 10 on the pain scale to work properly. She also lobbed in a few acupunture pins for good measure. The treatment really has helped so I suggest you find a good physio & book a couple of sessions.
http://www.sportsinjuriesandphysio.com/shockwave-e...
https://www.physiocare.co.uk/physiotherapy/shockwa...
I then booked an appointment with a physiotherapist & I've had a couple of sessions of Shockwave Therapy with some sort of air driven hammer machine: I was slightly alarmed when she said It shouldn't be more than 7 out of 10 on the pain scale to work properly. She also lobbed in a few acupunture pins for good measure. The treatment really has helped so I suggest you find a good physio & book a couple of sessions.
http://www.sportsinjuriesandphysio.com/shockwave-e...
https://www.physiocare.co.uk/physiotherapy/shockwa...
I've done mine a couple of times before while running. No bruising, but sore to walk on for a couple of days. What worked best for me was...
Cross train as soon as it's pain free going up and down the stairs - bike and elliptical work well, but if not then brisk walking. Complete rest is a bad idea
Start off with a 6 minute jog only up and down the garden after a couple of days
Progress to a 10 minute 'feeler' run the next day
Add 5-10 mins to a run every other day until you can run for 40 mins
Tightness / aches are OK, sharp pain / burning is not.. 6-8 weeks before it's fully healed, and it will ache for a while until it is
Don't rest completely as it will just go again as soon as you start running - you're looking to progressively and slowly load it.
Cross train as soon as it's pain free going up and down the stairs - bike and elliptical work well, but if not then brisk walking. Complete rest is a bad idea
Start off with a 6 minute jog only up and down the garden after a couple of days
Progress to a 10 minute 'feeler' run the next day
Add 5-10 mins to a run every other day until you can run for 40 mins
Tightness / aches are OK, sharp pain / burning is not.. 6-8 weeks before it's fully healed, and it will ache for a while until it is
Don't rest completely as it will just go again as soon as you start running - you're looking to progressively and slowly load it.
rsbmw said:
Howdy chaps, after some expert medical advice!
Tore my calf playing football (first time in years) just over 2 weeks ago at the grand old age of 37. Felt like I took a cricket ball to the calf, then couldn't put any weight on it. Eased up over a few days and within a week I was just about walking normally again, but re-twinged it last Monday. This didn't seem to set back progress, as still walking OK but it wasn't until then that it bruised up.
Now some 9-10 days later I am walking fine, leg feels fine even going upstairs on my toes/balls of feet, gentle few yard jog etc, but it's still bruised up - no swelling or pain, there was never really any swelling. Those of you who have experienced this, how long did bruising last and at what point did you get back to running etc? Whilst I feel fine, I'm hesitant to over do it, seems like the bruising is a sign that all isn't yet well!
Did the same thing whilst out running. Tried to get back to it after 2 weeks, no. After 4 weeks, no. 6 weeks later after full rest^ it was ok.Tore my calf playing football (first time in years) just over 2 weeks ago at the grand old age of 37. Felt like I took a cricket ball to the calf, then couldn't put any weight on it. Eased up over a few days and within a week I was just about walking normally again, but re-twinged it last Monday. This didn't seem to set back progress, as still walking OK but it wasn't until then that it bruised up.
Now some 9-10 days later I am walking fine, leg feels fine even going upstairs on my toes/balls of feet, gentle few yard jog etc, but it's still bruised up - no swelling or pain, there was never really any swelling. Those of you who have experienced this, how long did bruising last and at what point did you get back to running etc? Whilst I feel fine, I'm hesitant to over do it, seems like the bruising is a sign that all isn't yet well!
TX.
^by full rest I mean not running on it so walking around and up and down stairs was ok for me.
Men in their mid 30s-40s are quite susceptible to calf strains, apparently.
Don't over-do it when you resume training/sport. It can feel fiine, then suddenly tear again during activity.
Calf muscles can cause problems long-term and I have experienced them...
Massage with a roller and a hockey ball may help.
Eccentric calf slow lowering (the opposite of calf raises) are recommended for rehab.
I have found that skipping with a rope (both feet, one foot, alternating etc.) is very good for calf re-hab and conditioning. I now just do some skipping as a warmup a few times a week.
Don't over-do it when you resume training/sport. It can feel fiine, then suddenly tear again during activity.
Calf muscles can cause problems long-term and I have experienced them...
Massage with a roller and a hockey ball may help.
Eccentric calf slow lowering (the opposite of calf raises) are recommended for rehab.
I have found that skipping with a rope (both feet, one foot, alternating etc.) is very good for calf re-hab and conditioning. I now just do some skipping as a warmup a few times a week.
Edited by MC Bodge on Friday 18th June 11:53
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