It felt like a tennis ball hit me in the calf!

[matt.flynn60]

Originally Posted by spacediver

My general impression is that stretching is an important part of the healing process, but not during the acute injury phase.

It's also dangerous to overstretch the calf, which I see people doing all the time.

[tennis_tater]

Originally Posted by matt.flynn60

It's also dangerous to overstretch the calf, which I see people doing all the time.

Is this because most people incorrectly stretch their muscles cold, without any warm-up? Must say, I've been guilty of this for years until being told during my current PT how important it is to do a warmup of some sort (bike, light jog) for at least 5 minutes or so to get the muscles loose before stretching.

[jbravo]

Originally Posted by matt.flynn60

It's also dangerous to overstretch the calf, which I see people doing all the time.

I was also concerned with this so I asked my PT if it was possible to overstretch my calf. He said it would be very difficult. My stretches consist of using a stair or Aeropbic step to stretch my calf, with one leg hanging freely for 2 MINUTES and then 2 more minutes with both feet on the ledge, knees bent. I did this 5 times a day during rehab (6 weeks). At first my calves hurt but the more I stretched, the more flexible I became and the pain went away. I realize everyone is different but this worked well for me. I did these stretches mostly cold, with no warm-up except when I went to the gym once a day, I warmed up with the stationary bicycle prior to stretching.
Now my PT did say if I was going to play tennis to stretch after warming up the calf, but for daily routine stretching I stretched warm and cold.

[GZim]

Sounds like a torn Gatrock... I did the same going for a drop shot, and it was the second time i did it, a little over 1 year apart. the second time (i was around 45) I did a lot of PT, and still occasionally go for acupuncture, and he does a little dry needling for scar tissue.
Both times I was 6 weeks in a boot, and the second time, it was over 6 months before I played. as someone said about confidence, i still think about it sometimes when running a shot down. I do stretches, and after you are back at full strength, some extra calf raises etc are worth the effort.
Good luck, and don't rush your recovery.

[Mike Hodge]

I also recommend a Pro Stretch --- helps keep the gastroc and plantar muscle flexible.

[Mike Hodge]

Just started my formal rehap with a PT. Lot's of stretching, strengthening and massage once a week --- for the feet, ankles and calves.

Much more intensive than I imagined. I'd recommend it to anyone with a calf injury that puts in a lot of time on the court. I definitely underestimated the need for prevententive workout stuff, so you don't get injured in the first place.

[eidolonshinobi]

When you finally get out of rehab you'll want to incorporate DYNAMIC stretching for your warm-up as static stretching will ruin the force-length relationship of muscles. Dynamic stretching are just active exercises/stretching that relates to your activity (i.e opposite of static stretching).

Just be glad that you didnt have an achilles tendon tear which would have been the nex stage of this strain :/

[tennis_tater]

Originally Posted by Mike Hodge

Just started my formal rehap with a PT. Lot's of stretching, strengthening and massage once a week --- for the feet, ankles and calves.

Much more intensive than I imagined. I'd recommend it to anyone with a calf injury that puts in a lot of time on the court. I definitely underestimated the need for prevententive workout stuff, so you don't get injured in the first place.

I'm just starting my week 4 of PT and I agree - much more intensive than I thought. I really regret not starting PT after the first time that I strained my calf. All I did was the RICE for 3 weeks and after feeling pain free, hit the courts again. Then strained same calf again. Knowning what I know now, 3 weeks of RICE just wasn't near enough time and means of recovery.

Here's how my PT has been going. Again, week 1 following strain, RICE only - no PT. Week 2 following strain, I started PT, which consisted solely of stretching and ASTYM therapy/treatment to break up the scar tissue and help with the healing process. The ASTYM hurt like hell as the tools went over the lump in my calf.


Week 2 - used heat and compression socks and started leg strengthening excerises and then stationary bike and eliptical to get the blood going in the calf zone + the leg strengthening exercises. ASTYM treatments continued and pain lessened as each treatment completed.

Week 3 - Same as above but increased weights on strengthening from 3 sets of 10 to 4 sets of 15, added the stair master machine. ASTYM treatments continue and now have small, localized bump in calf.

Week 4 - same as above, but have now added jogging in place on a mini-trampoline to the work-out. ASTYM treatments have continued and leg feels great. Started light hitting on the court this week, simply hitting back and forth to the opponent, keeping balls in middle of court. Leg feels fine, although I can tell there is hesitation when I go to "push off" on affected leg.

Plan at this point is to continue with PT and incorporate home exercises and gym exercises to continue build muscle strength back up and continue with light hitting. If leg continues to feel fine, my plan is to play a practice set or two next week on clay surface and then hopefully get back to regular play in 2-3 weeks.

One of the posters above mentioned the Pro Stretch. Been using that device at home as well for past 3 weeks. Great aid to stretching at home!

[retlod]

Originally Posted by Jenks10

If you have had an injury similar to this, I am interested to hear about your recovery.

Two Septembers ago, I was demoing a Speed Pro (heavier than what I was used to) and played five sets with it over about three and a half hours (longer than I was used to playing). At home later that day, I felt a pop beneath my right shoulder blade and was convinced I had broken a rib. X-rays were negative, so my best guess is that I just tore a muscle secondary to overuse. I couldn't hit a first serve for two months, but started playing again (with just kickers) a couple of weeks later. Slowly but surely, I started hitting harder and harder again. I let the faint pain in my back tell me when I was trying for too much. By three months later, it was back to normal.

The silver lining is that without a first serve, I was forced to work on spin and placement of my second serve. It's now much better than it ever was. Depending upon my opponent and his ability to handle kickers, sometimes I use the second serve exclusively. Once you start playing again, you'll likely be very apprehansive about your calf and will want to move around the court as efficiently as possible to avoid reinjury. Voila! You'll move better, waste less energy, and be better prepared to unleash your shots!

[Mike Hodge]

If I had to do it over again, I would have been much more consistent and aggressive with my stretching.

I just started playing a year and a half ago. I started working out like a demon with agility and speed work in addition to a lot of time on the court. I didn't realize it at the time, but if you're in your late 40s as I am, you have to stretch like a demon so your body can handle the wear and tear.

I stretched, but not nearly enough and being somewhat naturally stiff, this was a big, big mistake. I plan to be more diligent in the future, even if it means a little less agility, running, etc. I worked hard, but not necessarily smart.

[eidolonshinobi]

Originally Posted by Mike Hodge

If I had to do it over again, I would have been much more consistent and aggressive with my stretching.

I just started playing a year and a half ago. I started working out like a demon with agility and speed work in addition to a lot of time on the court. I didn't realize it at the time, but if you're in your late 40s as I am, you have to stretch like a demon so your body can handle the wear and tear.

I stretched, but not nearly enough and being somewhat naturally stiff, this was a big, big mistake. I plan to be more diligent in the future, even if it means a little less agility, running, etc. I worked hard, but not necessarily smart.

Yeah it's a tough lesson, but at least you weren't seriously injured so when you go back out just note that you've gotta take more time to warm your body up properly.

[ssgator80]

This exact thing happened to me tonight. I remembered reading this post right after it happened. I literally thought some one hit me with a rock. I stopped and was looking through the fence looking for the kids that just hit me with a rock. Then I thought it must have been a tennis ball and looked for that. It was my calf muscle. I was 2 points from the match and since I lost my match the team lost the match. I was up 6-0, 5-3. 40-40. Looks like I'm down for awhile.

[bad_call]

ssgator - sorry to read this. same thing happened to me years back playing soccer. should have warmed up properly. also pulled a hamstring that season.

[atatu]

This is really weird but this happened to me tonight playing basketball, I turned around to see what hit me then I felt the pain and started to hop around. I thought it was a cramp then tried to stretch it out, going to the doctor tomorrow, I think I was pretty dehydrated which did not help matters at all. . .

[bad_call]

atatu - don't think the doc can do anything for that injury. you can pay me for saving you a trip.

[atatu]

Originally Posted by bad_call

atatu - don't think the doc can do anything for that injury. you can pay me for saving you a trip.

Well, the doctor's visit was helpful because he was able to tell me that I didn't tear it, just strained it, I'm still out for at least a month, however.

[bad_call]

Originally Posted by atatu

Well, the doctor's visit was helpful because he was able to tell me that I didn't tear it, just strained it, I'm still out for at least a month, however.

if you tore it then there would be tissue "bunching" from the detached portion. the tear i experienced sounded almost like a gun shot when it popped. strained the other calf about a month ago and still recovering.

[Jenks10]

Originally Posted by ssgator80

This exact thing happened to me tonight. I remembered reading this post right after it happened. I literally thought some one hit me with a rock. I stopped and was looking through the fence looking for the kids that just hit me with a rock. Then I thought it must have been a tennis ball and looked for that. It was my calf muscle. I was 2 points from the match and since I lost my match the team lost the match. I was up 6-0, 5-3. 40-40. Looks like I'm down for awhile.

So sorry about your injury. My calf injury is now at the 2 week point. The PT has had me in hydro therapy which is helping tremendously! I was able to walk for the 1st time in tennis shoes today (about 20 yards without any pain!) I continue to do stretches for my calf 3x per day & will now wear my "boot" 2 hours then walk in tennis shoes for 1 hour & repeat throughout the day. Still icing in the evening if needed.

[beernutz]

Great thread with lots of good information! I just experienced this injury on Monday, 4 days ago, and while I've had some improvement doing just RICE + Advil, I still can't push off with that foot while walking without pain.

Even though this happened in March, it was around 70 degrees at the time we were playing and I wasn't hydrating as much as I normally do as my opponent barely even slowed down on side changes. After playing two long sets, the very first point of the 3rd I attempted to push off quickly to get to a short second serve and felt a pop in my calf. I think I actually heard something pop too but that might've been my imagination. Immediately afterward I could barely stand on that leg but now if I move slowly enough I don't limp but I wouldn't dream of trying to walk fast or run.

At least I've learned my lesson about hydration and I won't let an opponent dictate how long I spending drinking during changeovers after this.

[tennis_tater]

Originally Posted by tennis_tater

I'm just starting my week 4 of PT and I agree - much more intensive than I thought. I really regret not starting PT after the first time that I strained my calf. All I did was the RICE for 3 weeks and after feeling pain free, hit the courts again. Then strained same calf again. Knowning what I know now, 3 weeks of RICE just wasn't near enough time and means of recovery.

Here's how my PT has been going. Again, week 1 following strain, RICE only - no PT. Week 2 following strain, I started PT, which consisted solely of stretching and ASTYM therapy/treatment to break up the scar tissue and help with the healing process. The ASTYM hurt like hell as the tools went over the lump in my calf.


Week 2 - used heat and compression socks and started leg strengthening excerises and then stationary bike and eliptical to get the blood going in the calf zone + the leg strengthening exercises. ASTYM treatments continued and pain lessened as each treatment completed.

Week 3 - Same as above but increased weights on strengthening from 3 sets of 10 to 4 sets of 15, added the stair master machine. ASTYM treatments continue and now have small, localized bump in calf.

Week 4 - same as above, but have now added jogging in place on a mini-trampoline to the work-out. ASTYM treatments have continued and leg feels great. Started light hitting on the court this week, simply hitting back and forth to the opponent, keeping balls in middle of court. Leg feels fine, although I can tell there is hesitation when I go to "push off" on affected leg.

Plan at this point is to continue with PT and incorporate home exercises and gym exercises to continue build muscle strength back up and continue with light hitting. If leg continues to feel fine, my plan is to play a practice set or two next week on clay surface and then hopefully get back to regular play in 2-3 weeks.

One of the posters above mentioned the Pro Stretch. Been using that device at home as well for past 3 weeks. Great aid to stretching at home!

Just to add to the above, week 4 and 5 marked my return to playing tennis. I started out with some extremely light hitting, just hitting back and forth with my partner with limited movement. I worked on volleys and serves and played some mini-tennis to keep my movement more limited.

After 2 or 3 sessions of light hitting, I played a couple of practice sets of doubles in week 5 on clay surface. Playing doubles also minimized my movements to 1/2 the court and I kept serve/volleys to minimum. I pretty much worked on my footwork for groundstrokes and getting timiming back. I tried not to push myself to running for drop shots of lobs.

After getting in a couple of practice sessions with no problems, I returned to my first league match in league six weeks and made it through without incident. The match was played on clay. Prior to the match, I made sure to do the stationary bike and eliptical to loosen the muscles, followed by a good bit of stretching, and an application of ICY HOT on the calf muscle. I also wore my compression sock as a precautionary measure. Had no problems whatsoever.


As far as physical therapy, weeks 5, 6, and 7 consisted of one visit each week to continue to the leg strengthening exercises, followed by ASTYM. I also continued my own workouts at the gym and stretching at home to supplement. I probably could have been discharged after week 4, but they wanted to have a visit scheduled once a week to monitor as I was amping up my gradual return to tennis play.

After 7 weeks of physical therapy (2 or 3 visits/week), I have been discharged from therapy and have now returned to play with an whole new pre-match stretching regime to hopefully prevent this injury from occuring again.

To anyone who goes through this injury, I highly recommend physical therapy as I am a firm believer in the ASTYM treatment. I went to the RICE only route the first time I strained my calf and that just was't enough.

On another note, this month's TENNIS magazine has a two page article on calf injuries. Thought their could have been more to the article, but it still informative nonetheless.