Calf muscle pop - anybody any thoughts?

[Pieman68]

I played in a charity cricket game yesterday. As I pushed off for a run when batting I felt a distinct popping sensation in my right calf (which was apparently audible to one of the fielders). Had to be helped from the field and am currently finding it very difficult to walk.

I've pulled plenty of muscles over the years - tears and strains have not been uncommon - but I can honestly say I've never felt anything like this. It's pretty sore, very tender to touch and, though I can weight bear, I'm finding my walking very stunted without considerable pain.

I tried the physio first option through my GP to try and not take up GP resource, but the earliest appointment is 2 weeks away. The severity of the popping sensation is a concern and I'm not sure what the right course of action is to get it checked further in case it's more that a muscle.

Anybody any idea on self treatment (apart from RICE) or whether it sounds like there is anything of concern to check out further?

I'm guessing Tough Mudder is out next Saturday

[Bill]

Sounds suspiciously like an Achilles tendon rupture which is a job for the minor injuries unit or A&E as it would need a boot asap.

[Badda]

Agree with Bill, the popping sound and history sound very suspicious for an Achilles rupture. A&E I'm afraid.

[Don Veloci]

Done as described a couple of times. First time was a real "wtf was that" shock but did not seek any medical attention. Just improved slowly over a few weeks.

2nd time was a more "not again", did not feel as bad and let it sort itself out again.

Tough Mudder would be erm, a challenge! Write off!

---

Edit

Since I've re-read and I'm a couple of posts late then A&E opinion probably not a bad idea.

Edited by Don Veloci on Monday 17th July 15:51

[Mr Pointy]

Find a private physio locally - or the local minor injuries unit if you have one. I did the same just going down stairs & it took a couple of months of physio sessions to get it sorted out.

A good physio will also tell you if it's serious enough to need further medical attention.

[Hol]

If it’s just a niggle 24hours later, then I think structured physio is fine as it won’t get worse.

When I tore a ligament in the dojo as part of an advanced stretch routine it was pure agony less than two hours later and the triage nurse decided to make me wait until nearly everyone else that night was seen as she seemed to have an issue with sports related injuries.

[sleepezy]

The pop sounds like an Achilles - but not the soreness (speaking from experience)

But if it is the Achilles you need to get it immobilised ASAP.

Easiest test is the Simmonds/Thompson test (kneel on a chair and get someone to squeeze your calf hard, the foot should flex - no flex - no Achilles)

I'd be down to A&E - you're local GP will send you to A&E, 101 will send you to A&E and the nice lady at Center Parcs will send you to A&E.

Edited by sleepezy on Monday 17th July 16:24

[Pieman68]

Thanks for the input. Foot movement is fine and it's considerably higher up than what I would imagine would be the Achilles - it's right in the meat of the calf muscle - google would suggest the Gastrocnemius or the Soleus underneath - closer to the knee than the foot. I can also move my foot up and down normally

Still very sore after 24 hours. Painful to push off and walk on but just a dull ache whilst sitting. The leg is fine to the touch from the ankle upwards until it becomes tender to touch in the above area.

I suppose my main concern was whether a tendon may have popped rather than a muscle tearing. I think a trip to minor injuries might be worthwhile just to double check

And yes - refereeing, golf and tough mudder have all been cancelled for the time being.

[sleepezy]

Goodluck Pieman - I spent 6 months living with a boot on 24 hours a day through summer - wouldn't wish than on anyone - hope it's relatively simple and sorts itself out

[gareth h]

I’ve “done” my calf several times, expect 6-8 weeks recovery, the usual RICE applies, I found gentle cycling (on an excercise bike) didn’t aggravate it and let me do a bit of cv. Expect it to ping again if you try to use it before fully mended.

[paulrockliffe]

I had an audible pop in my calf earlier in the year, it was just the muscle and the tear was minor.

As with all my calf injuries it was caused by a tight muscle somewhere else, left calf, right hamstring and the fix was physio to break down the tightness in the hamstring.

[Seventy]

You are Nathan Lyon aicmfp!

Seriously though, don’t listen to a word of what Gillettefan has to say. Uneducated at best, dangerous at worst.

You need a proper check, and probably an MRI.
Calf tears need to be properly dealt with - if that’s what it is (and it sounds just like when I did mine twenty odd years ago).

[popeyewhite]

Seventy said:

Calf tears need to be properly dealt with

Lol, informed response.

I'm going calf tear as well. Three weeks you'll be right as rain OP, half marathon, climbing the Eiger etc etc

Just be careful with it, some light stretching when it can weight bear.

Quals - calf specialist.

[drmike37]

Your description of where it hurts sounds like a medial head of gastroc tear. These heal fine.

Achilles tends to go about 10cm up from the heel. These need to go to A&E.

[Don Veloci]

Does sound more like a calf tear then. Should sort itself out.

I recall reasonable walking capability not taking to long. Then I forget and try to run across a road!

[Pieman68]

Thanks all, appreciate the input. I'll carry on the RICE for a couple more days and see if it eases off

[K77 CTR]

Google calf tear nhs and the tyneside information leaflet is very helpful. Would be a good idea to be seen at the local minor injuries or urgent treatment centre for diagnosis.

[Liamjrhodes]

A 'pop' sound points towards a rupture somewhere.
I have torn both my Achilles tendons and the first test the doctors do is to lap on your front then squeeze your calf muscle. If you ankle flexes then your Achilles is still attached, if it does not flex then its not attached.
Get someone to try that on you and see how you do

[The_Doc]

You've had an accident. Why don't you go to accident and emergency, 8am is always the quietest time.
You might end up correctly in a fracture clinic where we see all this sort of thing the next day.
Generally easy to diagnose and treat.

[martt]

The_Doc said:

You've had an accident. Why don't you go to accident and emergency, 8am is always the quietest time.
You might end up correctly in a fracture clinic where we see all this sort of thing the next day.
Generally easy to diagnose and treat.

Thanks for this post, i always wondered when would be best to go to A&E (obvious really if you think about it!)

To the OP, i've pinged my calf muscle jumping up for a header in football. It felt like an elastic band snap, don't know if that was the pop you experienced though