Home› General Training Discussions

Oh no....calf injury

Dawn CassDawn Cass
in General Training Discussions

Hoping for some advise out there.  After A race August last year, I took the time off to recover as needed...and then started run durability.  Training was ramping up and I was not doing anything crazy until mid November and my calf started to ache.  I ignored it for the next couple days until 2 miles into a run the pain stopped me in my tracks and I walked home.

I rested for a week, came back running...pain still there.  Took another week off then tried a 5k..pain but not terrible.  Next day, 1 mile into the run it stopped me in my tracks again to walk home.

Finally went to the ortho who did an ultrasound to find a small tear of the "medial head of the gastrocnemius at the myotendinous junction."

Merry Christmas to me.....not really happy with Santa for giving me a torn calf!

Any help out there on best ways to recover or rehab this one?  I am feeling pretty low at this point as my main focus coming out of 2016 was running.  ;-(

Thanks for advise!

Comments

  • Brenda RossBrenda Ross
    No medical advice, but I have had an injury to my calf once and I did water running to keep my run fitness. You would be surprised what you can do in the water. I also did my own rehab after I did an initial stint with a PFT. I was told to strengthen my stabilizers in my lower leg as well as my calves and tibialis anterior, or is it anterior tibialis? Now, all that to say that I did not have a torn muscle. I would think that you would want to keep on top of it so that the scar tissue is minimal. I am sure there people in the house that will be able to give you advice. Try not to focus on what you can not do now and move your energy to heal so you can get at that run durability goal for 2017.

  • Robert SaboRobert Sabo
    I'm thinking four weeks of pool running is in your future.
  • Dawn CassDawn Cass
    Thanks Brenda & Rob for your comments. I have never done pool running to be honest and it doesn't excite me however maybe it is a way to keep sane for the next few weeks. Have either of you done it...and how long do you stay in the pool? Guessing it's not like a "normal" run for 30-60 minutes is it?
  • Andre FraserAndre Fraser
    @Dawn Cass  how is your calf feeling?  
  • Scott AlexanderScott Alexander
    @Dawn Cass, I did pool running for about 3-4 weeks a few years back and I'll warn you, it's BORING! However, it was great rehab. I think I came out even stronger.

    One big suggestion, waterproof mp3 player! 
  • Dawn CassDawn Cass
    @Andre Fraser thanks for asking. Calf is coming along and I am actually running now!! Coach has me on a run/xtrain schedule until April which is helping. I am just amazed how long it's taking to heal properly!
  • Andre FraserAndre Fraser
    @Dawn Cass that's good to hear.  I'm working with a PT to fix mine as well
Sign In or Register to comment.