Pulled calf muscle?

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Discussion

Twilkes

Original Poster:

478 posts

139 months

Wednesday 18th November 2015
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I was using the calf press machine at the gym, you lean against an almost vertical chair with straight legs, and then almost stand on tiptoes to raise the weight up (may not be a calf press machine). I overdid it a little, lifting too much weight, and felt a tiny burn in one leg so stopped immediately. Didn't feel injured at all, just that I probably would have been if I'd carried on.

Thought nothing of it for a few days until I realised that I was still getting a tight feeling in my calf, patricularly after periods of non-activity (ie sleeping, sitting at a desk). It feels like it's a muscle maybe 2 inches in diameter, on the inside/rear of my calf, about a quarter of the way down from my knee.

This must have been about three months ago now, and it doesn't seem to be getting any better. I cycle to work and it doesn't bother me at all during any kind of activity, only when the muscle is cold and hasn't been used for a while.

Am I destined to have this forever, or is there something I can do to help it recover? I had a sprained ankle that I still noticed 18 months later, is this just another slow recovery injury?

LordGrover

33,544 posts

212 months

Wednesday 18th November 2015
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Reputable sports massage or physio?

MC Bodge

21,628 posts

175 months

Wednesday 18th November 2015
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I have had recurring calf strains, brought on by running, in my Soleus muscle for the past 3 years.

I am currently trying to recover from the latest incident, although it keeps twinge img when I try to run.

Physio/massage, strengthening and conditioning are apparently what is required.

Good luck.

Peanut Gallery

2,428 posts

110 months

Thursday 19th November 2015
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I thought it would be "fun" to "do a really good job" (as the physio says) tearing my calf muscle last week. Interesting colours now!

Anyway, left it for a week to settle a bit, and physio is now asking me to do some exercises to start strengthening the muscles already. TL:DR, go see a physio, usual life will go around the bad bits in the calf, extra exercises will strengthen any muscle you have pulled.

In other news, torn calf muscles are sore! - and I cant even drive...

APOLO1

5,256 posts

194 months

Saturday 21st November 2015
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MC Bodge said:
I have had recurring calf strains, brought on by running, in my Soleus muscle for the past 3 years.

I am currently trying to recover from the latest incident, although it keeps twinge img when I try to run.

Physio/massage, strengthening and conditioning are apparently what is required.

Good luck.
I Have this, driving me insane, I am under the best sports Dr money can buy, had MRI last week, you just have to give it time and do as you are doing.....

MC Bodge

21,628 posts

175 months

Saturday 21st November 2015
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I did a bit of hopping in a swimming pool earlier, it seems like a good idea to the calf some light impact

MC Bodge

21,628 posts

175 months

Sunday 22nd November 2015
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I followed up the swimming and water hopping with some calf rolling in the evening.

The Soleus is now sore this morning, to touch and to stretch.....

I'm unsure about the wisdom of cycling with this injury. It doesn't hurt whilst riding, but is it prolonging recovery time?

In the mean time, being unable to run, my CV fitness is dropping off rapidly. I'm going to have to get better at swimming

APOLO1

5,256 posts

194 months

Monday 23rd November 2015
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MC Bodge said:
I followed up the swimming and water hopping with some calf rolling in the evening.

The Soleus is now sore this morning, to touch and to stretch.....

I'm unsure about the wisdom of cycling with this injury. It doesn't hurt whilst riding, but is it prolonging recovery time?

In the mean time, being unable to run, my CV fitness is dropping off rapidly. I'm going to have to get better at swimming
You need to have an injection to make it less sensitive, then you will be able to get some physio on it, don't worry about cycling different load points, mines now sorted but took 3 weeks..

MC Bodge

21,628 posts

175 months

Tuesday 24th November 2015
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It's the recurrence that bothers me. It can be fine for weeks or months and then happen again.

I have found some ankle mobilisation (I have a history of ankle problems too) techniques that I have been trying. I'm hoping that this might help

MC Bodge

21,628 posts

175 months

Tuesday 24th November 2015
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I did some weighted calf raises/lowers earlier - bent knee and straight. There was no pain whatsoever, despite some tightness on the walk to the gym. I did a few light jumps and hops too, with no pain.

The pain, when it is present, seems to move around the Soleus area. Very strange.

MC Bodge

21,628 posts

175 months

Thursday 17th December 2015
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My calf is still playing up.

It is fine doing standing calf raises and lowers with 30kg on my back (with straight and bet knee) and when doing squats.

Running a few hundred metres causes it to tear/strain.

Gaz413823

55 posts

123 months

Friday 18th December 2015
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Mcbodge. I had similar with a very tight calf which I would run off. This progressed to a sore ankle which I would run off. This progressed to an extremely sore ankle and hobbling whenever I ran but would settle down when resting. Forced to seek medical attention and physio it turns out it is a shin splint. They hurt. Please consider seeing a doctor before you make it worse.