Heavy impact to calf muscle

[Vladimir]

I was surfing on Sunday and got hit in the calf by a surfboard (with surfer on it). Having taken many bashes in my long life from martial arts and the odd tumble and scrap, it was MUCH harder than any kick or punch and has completely stuffed my lower leg - still can't walk on it, it's gone very stiff, keeps cramping and is generally not appearing to get any better in 48 hours.

Pretty sure I haven't done anything serious but is this normal for serious bruising? Got up this morning, tried to stand up, immediately fell over. Amusing but annoying.

[E38Ross]

Vladimir said:

I was surfing on Sunday and got hit in the calf by a surfboard (with surfer on it). Having taken many bashes in my long life from martial arts and the odd tumble and scrap, it was MUCH harder than any kick or punch and has completely stuffed my lower leg - still can't walk on it, it's gone very stiff, keeps cramping and is generally not appearing to get any better in 48 hours.

Pretty sure I haven't done anything serious but is this normal for serious bruising? Got up this morning, tried to stand up, immediately fell over. Amusing but annoying.

perfectly normal, to try and help reduce any inflammation just use the old SAID principle. Either way, you're going to have to take it easy for a while, probably a couple of weeks before any running really. Cycling may be a little easier if you want to keep the fitness up a bit.

[Vladimir]

E38Ross said:

perfectly normal, to try and help reduce any inflammation just use the old SAID principle. Either way, you're going to have to take it easy for a while, probably a couple of weeks before any running really. Cycling may be a little easier if you want to keep the fitness up a bit.

1) Cheers Ross!
2) Bu99er!

[BlackVanDyke]

Ouch. Generic thoughts of sympathy here as I haven't anything particularly useful to say. Usual thing - if it doesn't start improving after a few days (might get worse before it gets better...), take it to see a medic.

[Vladimir]

BlackVanDyke said:

Ouch. Generic thoughts of sympathy here as I haven't anything particularly useful to say. Usual thing - if it doesn't start improving after a few days (might get worse before it gets better...), take it to see a medic.

I will do - the cramping and stiffness seem a bit excessive TBH. Will see how it feels tomorrow. Not sure if surfing on it yesterday was a good idea - it made dropping in (when you catch the wave) rather challenging...

[Burrow01]

I did the same - fell whilst skiing and the back of my ski boot crushed my calf

Hurt like hell, took a long time to heal - worth getting it checked out if its really bad, as the tissue can turn itself into bone fragments as it heals apparently....

[E38Ross]

Burrow01 said:

I did the same - fell whilst skiing and the back of my ski boot crushed my calf

Hurt like hell, took a long time to heal - worth getting it checked out if its really bad, as the tissue can turn itself into bone fragments as it heals apparently....

It can, a condition called myositis ossificans.

[BlackVanDyke]

Vladimir said:

BlackVanDyke said:

Ouch. Generic thoughts of sympathy here as I haven't anything particularly useful to say. Usual thing - if it doesn't start improving after a few days (might get worse before it gets better...), take it to see a medic.

I will do - the cramping and stiffness seem a bit excessive TBH. Will see how it feels tomorrow. Not sure if surfing on it yesterday was a good idea - it made dropping in (when you catch the wave) rather challenging...

Oh, I thought of a possibly useful thing: if you get random cramps and stiffness in OTHER muscles, ones you didn't hurt in the original bump, then do go and see a medic quickish, 'cos you might just be the unluckiest bugger in the universe and possibly have a DVT. I think it's pretty unlikely but I know the big bash somewhere plus less mobile while recovering creates something of a perfect storm if you do happen to be said unlucky bugger.

[Vladimir]

Still stiff today but a definite improvement on yesterday. The worst bruise I've ever had though!

[Vladimir]

Strange healing process going on - I'm fully mobile although it still aches a bit but I'm waking super early every morning with a pretty nasty thudding ache "deep" in the muscle. I'm sure it's part of it mending but it's annoying!

[Vladimir]

Still giving me stick well into the third week. Aches every morning and when walking.

Had to cancel a few races, can't see myself running (I'm usually a fairly good trail runner) for a long while.

DAMMIT!!

[Vladimir]

Tried a run, killed it.

Five weeks later and I have no idea when I will be able to run again.

Okay for cycling and surfing and selective gyming but I do like my running - ARRGHHH!!!

Any ideas anyone?!

[Tumbler]

Have you tried and physio? I tore my gastrocnemius skiing, took a year and some fairly intense physio with a sports therapist to get it working where I could use it again.

[Vladimir]

Tumbler said:

Have you tried and physio? I tore my gastrocnemius skiing, took a year and some fairly intense physio with a sports therapist to get it working where I could use it again.

Think I will book an appointment tomorrow. Yours sounds nasty!

[smiffy180]

I had a deep impact on side of my calf and I didn't squat/leg exercise for 6 weeks before just about getting back into routine. I just stretched it every day and had massages