Achilles tendon or calf muscle?

[johnmccabe]

I was playing at net at a doubles game yesterday evening, casual one. About an hour into the game, I was just trying to move forward and felt my lower calf was hit by the ball from behind.Then I fell to the ground. I don't think I heard any popping sound. Immediately stopped. Been icing it. didn't walk.

Doesn't hurt much anymore except for feeling swollen in the area slightly below the meaty part of the calf. Pinching the Achilles tendon just above the heel feels a little pain.

Initially, a coach at the court said I tore a calf muscle. Been reading a bit. sounds like it could also be Achilles tendon. Am going to emergency room in the morning.

Anything particular I should mention or ask the doctor. maybe they'll put a cast on and send me to a specialist after the Thanksgiving.

Feeling very down and worried...

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Could be a partial Achilles tendon rupture. Happened to me in my 1st 4.5 NTRP tournament. I had won the 1st set and was up 2 breaks in the 2nd set when it occured. Took as much time as I was allowed for an MTO and then tried to get back on the court to complete the 2nd set. At that point, I played 2 points and then decided I had to concede the match. .

It took a number of months to recover from this. I was fortunate that it was not a complete rupture.

Achilles tendon rupture - Symptoms and causes

www.mayoclinic.org

 

[johnmccabe]

Could be a partial Achilles tendon rupture. Happened to me in my 1st 4.5 NTRP tournament. I had won the 1st set and was up 2 breaks in the 2nd set when it occured. Took as much time as I was allowed for an MTO and then tried to get back on the court to complete the 2nd set. At that point, I played 2 points and then decided I had to concede the match. .

It took a number of months to recover from this. I was fortunate that it was not a complete rupture.

Achilles tendon rupture - Symptoms and causes

www.mayoclinic.org

Not feeling a lot of pain a few hours after the injury gives me some hope. But the fear of not being able to play tennis anymore is too much. Maybe I'm just overreacting...

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Not feeling a lot of pain a few hours after the injury gives me some hope. But the fear of not being able to play tennis anymore is too much. Maybe I'm just overreacting...

Hopefully, your injuries are not as bad as mine were. The Achilles rupture happened in my late 40s. I already had heel spurs on that (right) foot. That could have contributed to causing the partial rupture.

Even tho my game continue to improve as I approached 50, that 4.5 tournament turned out to be my last NTRP tournament (tho I subsequently did play practice matches against collegiate players and played a bit of NTRP league some time later).

 

[dr325i]

Not feeling a lot of pain a few hours after the injury gives me some hope. But the fear of not being able to play tennis anymore is too much. Maybe I'm just overreacting...

Hopefully nothing serious. Keep us posted after the doctor visit.
I've had some Achilles issues with my left leg that I contributed to (one of my favorite) shoes

 

[Pass750]

I had same exact thing, thought ball from other court hit my calf. I had a grade two calf tear, not Achilles. Was out for a couple of months. RICE method and physical therapy helped a lot. I think if you tore Achilles it would feel much worse. Hopefully just calf tear. Doctor will be able to figure it out. Let us know how it goes.

 

[johnmccabe]

Hopefully nothing serious. Keep us posted after the doctor visit.
I've had some Achilles issues with my left leg that I contributed to (one of my favorite) shoes

I switched from Asics gel resolution to Adidas barricade recently. Another friend thinks barricade has something to do with the incident.

 

[dr325i]

I switched from Asics gel resolution to Adidas barricade recently. Another friend thinks barricade has something to do with the incident.

For me, ASICS are the culprit. Every time I tried using them, my Achilles started acting up

 

[ollinger]

For me, ASICS are the culprit. Every time I tried using them, my Achilles started acting up

I have one pair of Asics I bought on a whim from TW as it had been one of their premium models that was put on clearance pricing, never wear them for tennis as even just putzing around with them in casual wear often leaves my feet and ankles feeling a bit sore

 

[dr325i]

I have one pair of Asics I bought on a whim from TW as it had been one of their premium models that was put on clearance pricing, never wear them for tennis as even just putzing around with them in casual wear often leaves my feet and ankles feeling a bit sore

I did not want to accept that but this is second time it happened to me. I guess I’ll stay away from them. B.Icons are awesome though

 

[Pass750]

I was playing at net at a doubles game yesterday evening, casual one. About an hour into the game, I was just trying to move forward and felt my lower calf was hit by the ball from behind.Then I fell to the ground. I don't think I heard any popping sound. Immediately stopped. Been icing it. didn't walk.

Doesn't hurt much anymore except for feeling swollen in the area slightly below the meaty part of the calf. Pinching the Achilles tendon just above the heel feels a little pain.

Initially, a coach at the court said I tore a calf muscle. Been reading a bit. sounds like it could also be Achilles tendon. Am going to emergency room in the morning.

Anything particular I should mention or ask the doctor. maybe they'll put a cast on and send me to a specialist after the Thanksgiving.

Feeling very down and worried...

Hopefully you only have tennis leg.

Tennis Leg: Its Causes, Symptoms & Treatment · Dunbar Medical

We explain the causes, symptoms & treatment of tennis leg, a condition caused by tears of the muscles and tendons located in the posterior lower leg area.

dunbarmedical.com

 

[johnmccabe]

Had ultrasound today and doctor think it's a partial rupture. I'm going to see a specialist... Been told at least 2 months before walking normal again.

 

[Pass750]

Had ultrasound today and doctor think it's a partial rupture. I'm going to see a specialist... Been told at least 2 months before walking normal again.

Achilles rupture or calf rupture?

 

[johnmccabe]

Achilles rupture or calf rupture?

Achilles unfortunately

 

[Pass750]

Achilles unfortunately

Ughhh, very sorry to hear that! I hope you heal quickly!!

 

[socallefty]

When my shoes get old (>50-65 hours), I get knee pain and my Achilles starts feeling tight. Happens with both Barricades and GR8s although with older Barricades (before 2018), it would happen only after 75-80 hours on hard courts. So, I replace them right away as soon as I get pain even though the sole will still be in great condition. I haven’t been able to use the 6-month sole warranty in a long time because the support wears out (I play about 60 hours a month) too soon and I get pain.

Just like many players play too long with poly strings too long as they refuse to cut them out even when they start feeling elbow/wrist twinges, too many also tend to play with shoes too long even when their lower limbs are telling them it is time to replace the shoe.

I don’t know if that happened with the OP or other posters reporting Achilles issues. If you play a lot, you got to replace your equipment fast or you’ll end up with medical bills.

 

[Rosstour]

I switched from Asics gel resolution to Adidas barricade recently. Another friend thinks barricade has something to do with the incident.

After seeing Tsitsipas and Zverev have difficulties with them, I'll never wear adidas, ever. Sorry this happened to you

 

[johnmccabe]

I had same exact thing, thought ball from other court hit my calf. I had a grade two calf tear, not Achilles. Was out for a couple of months. RICE method and physical therapy helped a lot. I think if you tore Achilles it would feel much worse. Hopefully just calf tear. Doctor will be able to figure it out. Let us know how it goes.

How did your doctor diagnose it? MRI?

 

[johnmccabe]

When my shoes get old (>50-65 hours), I get knee pain and my Achilles starts feeling tight. Happens with both Barricades and GR8s although with older Barricades (before 2018), it would happen only after 75-80 hours on hard courts. So, I replace them right away as soon as I get pain even though the sole will still be in great condition. I haven’t been able to use the 6-month sole warranty in a long time because the support wears out (I play about 60 hours a month) too soon and I get pain.

Just like many players play too long with poly strings too long as they refuse to cut them out even when they start feeling elbow/wrist twinges, too many also tend to play with shoes too long even when their lower limbs are telling them it is time to replace the shoe.

I don’t know if that happened with the OP or other posters reporting Achilles issues. If you play a lot, you got to replace your equipment fast or you’ll end up with medical bills.

I was wearing gr8 with superfeet insole and switched to barricade only couple of weeks ago.

 

[socallefty]

I was wearing gr8 with superfeet insole and switched to barricade only couple of weeks ago.

My knees had no problem with Barricades till the 2018 version and I played for many years with the Model 7. With the 2018 version, I started getting knee pain all the time even with new shoes and that’s why I switched to GR8s - it took me several months to figure out that my knees had a problem with that newer 2018 design. Maybe the heel drop is not right for my lower limb anatomy.

So, you have to be careful if pain appears coincidentally just when you have changed to a different model from what you normally use as it might be the shoe design not agreeing with your body.

 

[Pass750]

How did your doctor diagnose it? MRI?

I can’t remember , but it definitely wasn’t an MRI. They have ways of diagnosis one vs the other.

 

[Bambooman]

It sounds more like a tear right where the calf muscle and achilles merge together. Which is basically a bit of both.

I'm amazed at the lengthy timeline they gave you. Things can heal way faster with different methods of rehab.

 

[johnmccabe]

That's emergency room doctor. Will have to see what orthopedics say.

 

[Rosstour]

It sounds more like a tear right where the calf muscle and achilles merge together. Which is basically a bit of both.

I'm amazed at the lengthy timeline they gave you. Things can heal way faster with different methods of rehab.

2 months is lengthy? OP is getting off easy, bro

My 5.0 buddy had a complete tear in May and just started getting some bball shots up today.

 

[ByeByePoly]

When my shoes get old (>50-65 hours), I get knee pain and my Achilles starts feeling tight. Happens with both Barricades and GR8s although with older Barricades (before 2018), it would happen only after 75-80 hours on hard courts. So, I replace them right away as soon as I get pain even though the sole will still be in great condition. I haven’t been able to use the 6-month sole warranty in a long time because the support wears out (I play about 60 hours a month) too soon and I get pain.

Just like many players play too long with poly strings too long as they refuse to cut them out even when they start feeling elbow/wrist twinges, too many also tend to play with shoes too long even when their lower limbs are telling them it is time to replace the shoe.

I don’t know if that happened with the OP or other posters reporting Achilles issues. If you play a lot, you got to replace your equipment fast or you’ll end up with medical bills.

Do you replace the insoles? I think the thin insoles that usually come with shoes are crap. I agree shoes break down … sometimes with no visual signs. My routine that worked after getting some achilles soreness was replacing shoes as needed, and replace replacement insoles yearly. I might go through 3 pairs of shoes with one set of insoles. I played in mesh uppers (hot summers … breathed better) … so often they needed to be replaced for discoloration regardless of breaking down.

 

[ByeByePoly]

Achilles unfortunately

sorry to hear it … hopefully quick recovery. fyi … I had two tennis friends that had complete achilles ruptures and both came back 100%.

 

[socallefty]

Do you replace the insoles?

I just use the insoles that come with the shoe. They are usually still in good shape by the time the shoe support is gone. I have experimented with drugstore insoles like Dr Scholls in the past, but don’t like the way they feel or fit my feet.

 

[Bambooman]

2 months is lengthy? OP is getting off easy, bro

My 5.0 buddy had a complete tear in May and just started getting some bball shots up today.

Still. Partial tears should heal much faster.

 

[travlerajm]

There is hope. My little bro tore his Achilles full rupture in his early 40s. They opened it up and it looked like two mops. Had it repaired. Then a month later, he slipped while walking his dog on an icy sidewalk and fell. Said the pain was worse than the original tear. He was worried that he messed up the repair.

The surgeon checked it and says the tumble tore scar tissue and made his Achilles the perfect length.

A year later, he got timed 12.1 seconds in 100m and was able to dunk a volleyball on 10-foot rim again.

 

[johnmccabe]

There is hope. My little bro tore his Achilles full rupture in his early 40s. They opened it up and it looked like two mops. Had it repaired. Then a month later, he slipped while walking his dog on an icy sidewalk and fell. Said the pain was worse than the original tear. He was worried that he messed up the repair.

The surgeon checked it and says the tumble tore scar tissue and made his Achilles the perfect length.

A year later, he got timed 12.1 seconds in 100m and was able to dunk a volleyball on 10-foot rim again.

thanks for the encouragement. i don't want to be delusional or careless. but i only felt pain when the ER doctor pinched on the tendon for examination. after the calf muscle calmed down overnight, now I can press the toe down with decent amount of force not feeling any pain. still cannot schedule an appointment with sports medicine expert due to holiday. the wait is more painful.

 

[johnmccabe]

Still. Partial tears should heal much faster.

really hope you are right...

 

[travlerajm]

thanks for the encouragement. i don't want to be delusional or careless. but i only felt pain when the ER doctor pinched on the tendon for examination. after the calf muscle calmed down overnight, now I can press the toe down with decent amount of force not feeling any pain. still cannot schedule an appointment with sports medicine expert due to holiday. the wait is more painful.

I also had an Achilles/calf issue about 4 years ago myself.

It was getting worse from trying to play singles twice a week, even after testing a month. It was sort of starting at ankle, and zipping up my calf higher each re-tweak.

The key to healing it was when I starting playing more frequently, but shorter sessions, keeping it to less than an hour 4 times per week. That way the inflammation from the previous session was never bad enough to get in the way of strengthening effects of the current session.

 

[Rosstour]

Still. Partial tears should heal much faster.

Uh, no. 2 months is incredibly fortunate, OP should count his blessings lol

 

[Bambooman]

You must be a slow healer with poor rehab.

 

[ByeByePoly]

I just use the insoles that come with the shoe. They are usually still in good shape by the time the shoe support is gone. I have experimented with drugstore insoles like Dr Scholls in the past, but don’t like the way they feel or fit my feet.

I can’t speak to drugstore insoles … but 20+ years with sof sole orthotic airr, and now the Sole active medium … WAY better than thin insoles that came with shoes. I wore only New Balance because they had 4E … so that is my frame of reference. Just now switched to Sole because wanted a lighter insole than the heavy sof sole airr orthotic, and couldn’t be happier. I have always had high arch … now I would say more neutral. You can throw the Sole insoles in the oven for a couple of minutes, then just slip them in your shoes and stand on them for a more custom fit. I needed that for arch because slightly to high … settled to perfect after cooking them.

 

[ByeByePoly]

I was playing at net at a doubles game yesterday evening, casual one. About an hour into the game, I was just trying to move forward and felt my lower calf was hit by the ball from behind.Then I fell to the ground. I don't think I heard any popping sound. Immediately stopped. Been icing it. didn't walk.

Doesn't hurt much anymore except for feeling swollen in the area slightly below the meaty part of the calf. Pinching the Achilles tendon just above the heel feels a little pain.

Initially, a coach at the court said I tore a calf muscle. Been reading a bit. sounds like it could also be Achilles tendon. Am going to emergency room in the morning.

Anything particular I should mention or ask the doctor. maybe they'll put a cast on and send me to a specialist after the Thanksgiving.

Feeling very down and worried...

Since many of face leg injuries (in my case moderate hamstring and calf), thought I would throw this in … massage. I learned during my bad tennis elbow that we often have muscle knots we don’t even know we have. I could use the tips of my fingers, or a thumb, and press from elbow to wrist and find the knots. A firm massage with hand or roller bar before tennis kept TE away after I had healed. So I became convinced we could probably prevent at least some injuries by working out the knots. My calves have felt tighter recently… so I started checking back of leg with the same firm press with tip of fingers from under knee down to achilles area. Whoa … seriously sore and knotted areas I would not have known about without checking. Even with just fingers I can relieve much of the knots and stiffness, roller bar even better. I’m sure those massage guns held on the spot might work even better … but I like rubbing through the length of the muscle/tendon trying to release the tightness. I still do the usual hamstring and calf static stretches before … but have more faith in the pre massage than the stretches. Dynamic stretches no doubt better … but I forget to do them.

Anyway … let us know what specialist says … hoping you have short recovery.

Edit: hamstring / calf / achilles all connected, if working on calf (massage/stretching) also do hamstring.

 

[tennisandtennis]

I had same exact thing, thought ball from other court hit my calf. I had a grade two calf tear, not Achilles. Was out for a couple of months. RICE method and physical therapy helped a lot. I think if you tore Achilles it would feel much worse. Hopefully just calf tear. Doctor will be able to figure it out. Let us know how it goes.

I had the same thing happen from basketball a few years back. Non-displaced fracture of the fibula and grade 2 tear of the soleus. The fracture was from contact, the tear was from the fall. I was happy to pass the Thompson test. Took a little while to feel normal again. Residual tightness and mild cramping for a year or two. Barbell squats and deadlifts as soon as I was ready. Low intensity until my confidence came back.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

I was playing at net at a doubles game yesterday evening, casual one. About an hour into the game, I was just trying to move forward and felt my lower calf was hit by the ball from behind.Then I fell to the ground. I don't think I heard any popping sound. Immediately stopped. Been icing it. didn't walk.

This is how an Achilles tear was described by every one I know who suffered one [sample size of 5], although 2 described it like feeling someone had kicked them, not just a ball hitting them.

Of the 5, 4 of them were not doing anything dramatic [one of them was jumping to spike a VB].

Feeling very down and worried...

I hope it was just minor.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

@ByeByePoly

I just use the insoles that come with the shoe. They are usually still in good shape by the time the shoe support is gone. I have experimented with drugstore insoles like Dr Scholls in the past, but don’t like the way they feel or fit my feet.

Have you tried Custom Fit orthotic inserts from DS? They are semi-custom 3/4 insoles that should fit your feet pretty well since they are selected for you using a foot-mapping station (kiosk). Proper length, suitable arch height, etc for your feet. And, because they are 3/4 insoles, they can be used right on top of the existing insoles.
.
2nd choice: Super feet Green. Full length insoles so the OEM insoles may need to be removed. Suitable for high & medium-high arches.

 

[socallefty]

@ByeByePoly

Have you tried Custom Fit orthotic inserts from DS? They are semi-custom 3/4 insoles that should fit your feet pretty well since they are selected for you using a foot-mapping station (kiosk). Proper length, suitable arch height, etc for your feet. And, because they are 3/4 insoles, they can be used right on top of the existing insoles.
.
2nd choice: Super feet Green. Full length insoles so the OEM insoles may need to be removed. Suitable for high & medium-high arches.

Not sure I need custom insoles when I have normal arch feet and the standard insoles that come with the tennis shoes seem to fit me fine.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Not sure I need custom insoles when I have normal arch feet and the standard insoles that come with the tennis shoes seem to fit me fine.

Most x-trainers and tennis shoes I've had offer little or no arch support. The problem with making a shoe with some built-in level of arch support is that it would not be suitable for those who have lower arches. Or those with very high arches.

The best shoes I've owned have very good heel stability / support and outstanding midsole & insole cushioning. But they provide no arch support. Thus they can be tailored to your feet with the amt of arch support suitable for your feet.

According to some experts, arch support is particularly important for those who are very active (in sports, for example). Also important for those who are heavy.

The lack of support might not bother you now but, over time, it can result in issues with the hips, knees, ankles or feet. As you age, active, unsupported feet may tend to pronate more. This can cause your feet to widen and might cause fallen arches.

 

[ByeByePoly]

@ByeByePoly

Have you tried Custom Fit orthotic inserts from DS? They are semi-custom 3/4 insoles that should fit your feet pretty well since they are selected for you using a foot-mapping station (kiosk). Proper length, suitable arch height, etc for your feet. And, because they are 3/4 insoles, they can be used right on top of the existing insoles.
.
2nd choice: Super feet Green. Full length insoles so the OEM insoles may need to be removed. Suitable for high & medium-high arches.

I only tried 3/4 once … custom orthotics from a podiatrist when I had a brief period of plantar fasciitis in my 30s. I couldn’t get used to them … I remember them moving around … so it has been full length ever since. I have never tried super feet. If Sole doesn’t continue to work for me … probably would try Powerstep Pinnacle insoles next … many in other thread liked them better than Super Feet … and cost less.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

I only tried 3/4 once … custom orthotics from a podiatrist when I had a brief period of plantar fasciitis in my 30s. I couldn’t get used to them … I remember them moving around … so it has been full length ever since. I have never tried super feet. If Sole doesn’t continue to work for me … probably would try Powerstep Pinnacle insoles next … many in other thread liked them better than Super Feet … and cost less.

Never had a slippage problem with the DS Custom Fit 3/4 insoles. With the footmapping, they may take width as well length of the feet into account. Fairly snug fit at the heel. Friction between the DS orthotic insoles and the OEM insoles are also sufficient to help keep them in place.

 

[ByeByePoly]

Never had a slippage problem with the DS Custom Fit 3/4 insoles. With the footmapping, they may take width as well length of the feet into account. Fairly snug fit at the heel. Friction between the DS orthotic insoles and the OEM insoles are also sufficient to help keep them in place.

Very good … probably just the one I got from podiatrist … expensive as **** and didn’t even fix my pf. What fixed it was more flexible soled New Balance shoes that didn’t have the indestructible rubber soles that were being sold at that time. Indestructible shoes maybe … foot not so much.

 

[Rosstour]

You must be a slow healer with poor rehab.

You must be a slow reader with poor reading comprehension.

 

[Bambooman]

You must be a slow reader with poor reading comprehension.

That may make you feel better but won't enhance your slow healing.

 

[Rosstour]

That may make you feel better but won't enhance your slow healing.

I didn't tear my Achilles. Moron

 

[Bambooman]

I didn't tear my Achilles. Moron

Yes, that's why you shouldn't be speculating on the fortunes of the op.

Edited because you seem like the sort to go to management.

 

[Rosstour]

Yes, that's why you shouldn't be speculating on the fortunes of the op, idiot.

lol, nice save attempt.

 

[Bambooman]

Stay delicate.