Torn Calf Muscle - Recovery?

[TALUS]

I dont think that you tick many of the DVT risk factor boxes. If you have increasing pain or stiffness/ swelling in your calf you can have a sonar done to check. A very unlikely scenario at your tender age.... I think your main isues should be about the area of tearing. Mostly it is at the transition from muscle to tendon (where the calf/ muscle becomes prominent). If that area heals with too much scarring it will become less elastic (more rigid) and be prone to repeated tears. Thus: initially absolute rest. Sometimes with a "moonboot" or splint to keep the calf at length. Dont stretch past neutral (90deg) at the ankle. After the initial tenderness is better (10-14 days) start with gentle dorsiflexion (pulling your foot up) - NO pain. After 3 weeks start getting passive dorsiflexion. Only ROM and proprioception training. At 6 weeks start progressive strength training. Explosive sport not before 8 weeks. There are no secrets or special treatments/ meds (except anabolic steroids and Growth Hormone - illegal and dangerous)! If the tear is proven to be in pure muscle fibre (very unlikely if there was no direct trauma) - you could cut about 2 weeks off the time.

Edited April 10, 2014 by TALUS

[kennyg]

Thanks. Its so frustrating as I have just come back from 2 1/2 months off the bike after I tore my thumb ligament. Even worse is I have a beautiful sexy new trail bike that hasn't yet to see singletrack.

 

At least I can still swim :-)

 

Ratty watch the swimming, it does put a bit of pressure on the top of the calf, as a result of the flick in the kicking motion.

 

Get into a pilates and core where you can control the stretch and use of it. Unfortunately cardio might be difficult to get into.

 

I sympathise with the calf injury, last year I blew the right calf, in Feb, this year @ xterra blew the left, I did my first tri, in 3 months this weekend. It was tougher than usual. My advice take the time, lift training levels slowly, and stay away, from hard floor sports with rapid direction change ( Action netball, indoor soccer, hockey on astro, squash)

[SwissVan]

 

Ratty watch the swimming, it does put a bit of pressure on the top of the calf, as a result of the flick in the kicking motion.

 

 

 

Very true, I found that its best to train swimming before running / cycling or if possible on different days to run / cycle. If I run or cycle and then go swim shortly afterwards I find my calves tend to spasm / cramp very easily while swimming...

['Dale]

Howzit going there, Ratty?