calf musle strain

[penelope479]

I seem to have a calf muscle strain. Yesterday, I was pushing away from the curb to run across the street, when I felt like something had hit me in the back of my calf. I turned around to see what hit me. I couldn't stand on the leg because of the severe cramping. I had to have a friend come pick me up. I'm walking with a cane and wearing shoes with a bit of a heel. That seems to be the only way that I can walk. Otherwise, I am crippled with pain in my calf muscle. I have been following the rules of RICE, and have pretty much kept it easy. How long should I stay off of it? Do I need crutches? I have recently moved to a new town and I don't have a family physician. Is it necessary that i see a doctor?

[penelope479]

Thank you! Yes, I can still hobble around. Today is actually better than yesterday. I only have mild bruising and discoloration. I hope that it doesn't take me 4 weeks to heal!

[MisterTimC]

Stay off of it while it hurts. Use cane or crutches as needed. Don't get back onto it too vigorously too soon. When I pulled my calf at age 51, I used crutches and a cast boot for a couple weeks. It was feeling fairly good in 4 weeks, so I went to play soccer again and promptly pulled it again. When it was bad, I could not push of my toes at all, so the cast boot was the only way I could put weight on it at all. If you can "walk" with a cane, your strain might not be too bad and you might be up and around fairly quickly.

The amount of discoloration will be a good indication of the severity of the strain. Also, for a severe strain you will be able to feel the gap in the muscle where it tore. A visit to a doctor to get a referral for physical therapy would be helpful for getting going as quickly as possible. Until then, continue RICE, massage it to work the junk out of the area, wiggle your foot in circles of all sizes and directions without causing pain. Add strengthening and stretching very cautiously.

(I am not any sort of medical professional, only another traveler who has been very active and has had my share of injuries.)