Pulled calf muscle

[PaMtbRider]

So I pulled my calf muscle today while doing something as simple as putting my motorcycle on it's center stand. I knew immediately that it happened because of the sharp pain. I ended up riding another 250 miles to my hotel and I have a nice swollen calf but no bruising yet.

Web MD says rest, ice, elevate, and slight compression.

Right now walking is slow and painful if I am not very careful. Any thoughts on recovery time? I'm not real concerned about how quickly I can get back on the bicycle. Walking would be beneficial though.

[weisan]

https://edge.alluremedia.com.au/m/l/2014/01/Miyagi.jpg

Can I borrow your bike?

Feel better soon.

[David Kirk]

Bummer - I tore a calf muscle a number of years ago snowboarding and the pain was profound. But it healed very well and gives me no trouble now.

Give it time, elevate, ice, sambuterol.....etc.

Be well,

dave

[RWeb]

I learned a couple of years ago that I can now pull back muscles putting on a shirt.

[Hardlyrob]

Pulled a calf muscle skiing in February - debilitating pain is an understatement. As others have said - RICE - rest, ice, compression, elevate I found that after the first couple of days walking some seemed to help with swelling. Bourbon or good gin also seemed to help.

The time to heal depends on how bad the tear is - doesn't sound like yours is terrible.

Good luck

[RFC]

Yes, it depends on how bad it is. I tore a calf last year doing excessive calf weight exercises. It took six weeks to completely heal, but I was able to ride before that.

[PaMtbRider]

Right now it feels pretty bad. I’m sitting in a hotel 450 miles from home. I just walked about 100 yards to a restaurant for supper. Very slow going. I am traveling for work. Tomorrow I can take the day off but Wednesday I am supposed to be on my feet for 8 hours. Not sure at this point if that’s going to happen.

Weisan Pal, you are welcome to ride any of my bikes whenever you come back east.


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[AngryScientist]

. Tomorrow I can take the day off but Wednesday I am supposed to be on my feet for 8 hours. Not sure at this point if that’s going to happen.



you already know this dan, but schedules be damned, you can't rush a muscle to heal, and rushing only prolongs the opposite effect.

personally i use scotch to dull the pain...

seriously though, two things that might not be obvious are stay super hydrated and alternate heat in with the ice. warm muscles flow more blood, and blood flow helps you heal.

fire up the netflix account!

[LouDeeter]

I think it depends a lot on how bad and where the tear is. A tear near the achilles tendon may not get as much blood flow for repair as one in the middle of the muscle. I would put a heel lift in the shoe on that side so that you don't overly extend it anymore than you have to. And, scotch is definitely good for the pain.

[CSTRider]

I don't know about scotch, but these guys offer several good ideas (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrO3o5pdBr8) for fixing your calf. A couple of other things that have helped me get back to full strength:
- cycling on a trainer: riding doesn't put much stress on your calf and allows you to maintain fitness while your calf muscle(s) heal
- foam/ball/stick rolling: work your calves like this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xPLnDiGfAY)
- wear a calf compression sleeve, especially if you have to sit or walk.

[Ken Robb]

8 hours on your feet sounds like a BIG mistake. Is there any way you can do at least some of your work while sitting? Can you find a place to store your bike and rent a car?

[PaMtbRider]

Thanks for the advice so far guys. The swelling is down today but things are still moving slowly. I went to a Walmart and got a gel insert for the heel of my shoe and a cane to help with walking. For the most part I am trying to stay off my feet today.

I don't have to ride my motorcycle until Thursday which is my travel day home. Sitting on the bike isn't painful so I think I will be ok there. Worst case is I take a few more days and get home over the weekend.

Not a bourbon or gin drinker but definitely hitting the Ibuprofen.

[PaMtbRider]

Well, I am back home and saw the company nurse practitioner today. They referred me to an orthopedic specialist. Everyone agrees that it is a torn calf muscle. I return in 2 weeks for a follow up. I was told no biking. Ortho Doc said possibly ride a trainer in 3-4 weeks depending on how it heals, but no outside riding.

I wasn't going to bother with NBC Gold but it looks like I will have some time on my hands to watch the tour.