calf issues...help!

Sorry, I am not sure where to post this question, but any information would be great. Two days ago I was out hanging out with my friends when my left calf muscle suddenly felt tight and sore. I didn't think anything of it, then about an hour later I looked at my leg and the calf muscle itself was very swollen. Since then, the swelling has gone away completely but the leg still hurts. It feels sore, almost like a pulled or sprained muscle. I am a 25 year old female, in good health. I didn't think much of it at first since I am very active as a professional dancer, but it is still sore and I am worried because I read about blood clots. Can anyone please give me some advice? Also, there is no discoloration either...the muscle looks normal now, but sure. Thanks a lot!

[marissposa]

How is your nutrition?  As a physical person good nutrition is paramount.  "Charlie horses"  and muscle spasms are often a result of a lack in potassium and calcium.   I am also a professional dancer and this sounds like a muscle spasm to me.   I recommend jacking up your banana and dairy intake.

[Suri123]

Hi Leah22, how are you doing? Hope you are feeling better now? Do you remember of any sudden exertion put on the muscle like jumping or stretching too hard? Swelling and pain could be due to muscle contracting suddenly causing a tear or minor bleeding. You can apply local pain gel with gentle massage and hot foment with warm water. Take over the counter pain medication and muscle relaxant for couple of days. Keep observing for swelling, redness and consult an orthopedic doctor if it persists to get checked up. Drink lot of water and take rest. Do update on your progress. Take care.

[Leah22]

I went to the doctor, and it turns out, I tore my calf muscle. I was told to apply ice and heat. Hopefully that will help! I am a dancer so I can't rest it too much, but it is feeling somewhat better. Thanks for the info!

[Suri123]

Hi Leah22, thanks for your reply and I hope you are doing a lot better now? You need to give rest to the leg as it will take couple of days time to heal and the blood need to be absorbed. It is better you apply local heat like mopping in moist warm towel and limb elevation at night. I do agree with your concern of not doing your dance practice but you need to take rest for atleast a week. Continue pain medication and local pain gel with gentle massage. Take care and share your thoughts.

[marissposa]

Remember, it is better to rest for awhile and let something heal, than to ruin your career by letting an injury become a bigger problem than it needs to be.  Of course you have to continue rehearsals and performances, but cut down on classes and training for awhile. And ask the choreographer if you can mark in rehearsal.

[Suri123]

Hi Leah22, how are you doing? How is your calf pain and swelling? Hope you are able to slowly find improvement in the movement and decrease in pain and swelling. I do agree with marissposa, you need to take rest for couple of more days before you again strain your muscles. Continue applying local pain get and do gentle massage with hot fomentation. Do follow up with your attending physician to see if it has healed and when you would be fit to resume your practice sessions. Hope you get well soon. Take care and share your thoughts.

[Leah22]

thanks everyone for their advice! My calf is still sore, and it occasionally swells up sometimes, but usually only after working on my feet for 8 hours at a time. I am resting it though so hopefully it can start getting better! Thanks again!

[Suri123]

Hi Leah22, how are you? Thanks for your reply and appreciating the forum member’s advice. I am sure if you take complete rest for couple of days and continue hot fomenting with very gentle massage, both swelling and tenderness will come down soon. I do understand your eagerness to kick with dance practice but to do that you need to be physically fit. Take care and keep updating on your progress.

[Suri123]

Hi Leah22, how are you doing? Hope you are keeping well and able to move your leg freely. Has the swelling and the inflammation decreased? Have you got back to your regular dance practice or still on rest? You can start massaging and doing stretches now, brisk walk morning-evening will help. Warm up exercises is good before you start to practice regularly. Keep your muscle tone and be physically fit. You can get examined for fitness by the attending physician. All the best, take care and keep updating.

[Leah22]

thanks so much for asking! I am much better! I feel a little sore after activity, but nothing bad at all. Thanks so much for all the great advice! Take care

[Suri123]

Hi Leah22, thanks for your reply. It's great you are doing well. Hope you will recover fully soon and kick off with your dance practice with more perfection. As you have already started with the classes, do follow the warm up exercises/stretches initially followed by gentle massage and steam bath/hot shower at end of session, which will be too soothing, and soreness will decrease. Drink lot of water as dehydration may cause muscle cramps. Thanks again, good luck. Take care.