Pulled Calf Muscle

[Don Wassall]

I was playing tennis last night and pulled or tore a muscle in my right calf. I was stretching for a ball a bit but nothing out of the ordinary. Just felt sudden pain, which quickly got worse. Walking isn't possible because of the pain, I just hobble around as best I can.

I'm icing it down periodically. A friend said to lay in the tub with Epsom salts once a day. Trying to "walk" as little as possible and keep the leg elevated as much as possible. Anyone else ever had this happen? Any suggestions to treat it?Edited by: Don Wassall

 

[whiteathlete33]

Epsom salt is excellent for any kind of strain or pull. I always used it for sprained ankles I had from playing basketball and it actually helped for torn ligaments I had in my back. Another good thing to do is take Advil. It's much better than Tylenol for any kind of strain or pull because it's also anti-inflammatory. Massage it a few times a day as well to help with circulation and speed healing.
Edited by: whiteathlete33

 

[Colonel_Reb]

I hate to hear about that Don. Everything you are doing already, plus what whiteathlete33 said is all I know to do. Its just going to take a while to heal.

 

[Don Wassall]

Thanks, guys. Guess I just have to patient with it. . . but it's like being sick, I hate it.

 

[Deadlift]

Are you better now?

 

[Westside]

Don, I have had both lower back strain and pulled calf muscle strain. The good thing is calf muscle strains heal faster that lower back strains. I had one about three years ago. I could no longer run and had to walk like a gimp for about two months. I finally healed after about four or five months. I would advise getting your cardio on a stationary bike until it heals.

 

[Don Wassall]

Don, I have had both lower back strain and pulled calf muscle strain. The good thing is calf muscle strains heal faster that lower back strains. I had one about three years ago. I could no longer run and had to walk like a gimp for about two months. I finally healed after about four or five months. I would advise getting your cardio on a stationary bike until it heals.

It took four or five months for your calf muscle to heal, or for your lower back to heal? My calf is about 80-90 percent healed, but the last 10-20 percent is taking its good old time. It's frustrating because I like to run but can't. Maybe I'll have to get a bike or a treadmill if it's going to be months before it completely heals.

 

[Westside]

My calf muscle to heal.

 

[DixieDestroyer]

I've had calf cramps many a'times, but never strained or pulled it. However, last year I was racing my kids at the park & pulled a hamstring.

That was the first time I'd ever pulled a muscle real bad. It hurt bad at first, but healed pretty quickly. I sprained my ankle two times (playing hoops) & had "jumper's knee" (tendonitis) in HS. I iced my ankle & knee, took ibuprofen & stayed off it a while.

 

[Alpha Male]

I wish I saw this post earlier. I too pulled my calf (Level 2) late October while preparing for the indoor short sprint season. I used RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation), but also Traumeel, which is a homeopathicanti-inflammatory (pill and cream). I then went to an acupuncturist and masseuse to bring some blood there.Taking a jump rope or stretching cord and doing some AIS (active isolate stretching â€" loop rope below toes and gently pull back to further stretch the calf) in the sauna helpsrestore range of motion. It's a little late now but I hope some of that helps. It's damn painful injury!<?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><O></O>Edited by: Alpha Male

 

[Don Wassall]

It took about two and a half weeks for mine to heal.

 

[Alpha Male]

That's good to hear. It took me around 5 weeks or so to heal. Edited by: Alpha Male