Torn calf muscle...

[djNEiGht]

Every find yourself having to write with your off hand? Or try playing tennis with your off hand? That's what I feel like with my legs. It's been nearly a week since I tore my right calf muscle. I was just starting my 3rd singles set and was chasing a drop shot. It felt like someone punched me in the back of the leg. I hobbled to a stop and thought it was a cramp but my leg wasn't locked. I tried to put weight on my leg and it was too painful to do so. Luckily my hitting partner was kind enough to give me a ride home and my wife came out to meet me curbside with my old crutches.

After many years favoring my multiple surgically treated left leg, it's my right leg that is suffering. I hope to get off crutches soon and start stretching and my own rehab. It appears to be a mild stage 2 tear. No bruising or abnormal bumps.

Any one suffer from this? How was your rehab?

 

[Devil_dog]

Grade 2 tears in both calves - thankfully not at the same time. Both took about 4-5 weeks before I could even walk on the court again. Did lots of resting, icing and elevation. After a couple weeks, performed several stretches and strengthening routines as prescribed by my doc. Always scares the crap out me when I feel a twinge of pain in my calf.

Good luck on your recovery.

 

[djNEiGht]

Devil_dog - Hope you continue to stay healthy. Did you get an MRI? Was there some bruising?

I've been able to walk around the house with out crutches after my body wakes up. I'll take the crutches with me when I leave though and will prob do so for another week.

Thank you for your well wishes.

 

[Champs990411]

Yeah. Kept doing the same one. No fun.

Some good past threads on this if you search.

 

[Devil_dog]

Devil_dog - Hope you continue to stay healthy. Did you get an MRI? Was there some bruising?

I've been able to walk around the house with out crutches after my body wakes up. I'll take the crutches with me when I leave though and will prob do so for another week.

Thank you for your well wishes.

Yeah, I've been injury free (knocking on wood) for the past couple of years - well not hurt enough to keep me off the courts - but I'm snake bitten.

No MRI just went to the doc and he confirmed the injury. Had a little bruising on one calf but not the other.

Be patient with this injury. Don't rush it. I made that mistake and that set me back four more weeks.

Good luck buddy.

 

[Sir Shankalot]

Every find yourself having to write with your off hand? Or try playing tennis with your off hand? That's what I feel like with my legs. It's been nearly a week since I tore my right calf muscle. I was just starting my 3rd singles set and was chasing a drop shot. It felt like someone punched me in the back of the leg. I hobbled to a stop and thought it was a cramp but my leg wasn't locked. I tried to put weight on my leg and it was too painful to do so. Luckily my hitting partner was kind enough to give me a ride home and my wife came out to meet me curbside with my old crutches.

After many years favoring my multiple surgically treated left leg, it's my right leg that is suffering. I hope to get off crutches soon and start stretching and my own rehab. It appears to be a mild stage 2 tear. No bruising or abnormal bumps.

Any one suffer from this? How was your rehab?

Hi,

Sorry to hear about your injury. I had exactly the same two years back: a grade 2 tear on my right calf. Happened when I was playing mini tennis as a warm up. I had to be carried off the court.

My own rehab experience: instead of going to the doc I bypassed and went straight to the physio. Two weeks with a walking stick, combined with frequent massage, calf stretches, ice, and heat, and then after 2 weeks the physio added calf raise and balance board exercises.

After 3 weeks I could walk without hobbling, and after 5 I could run but only very gently. Took me 7 weeks before I could get back on court.

Caveat: I was 47 at the time, if you are much younger I guess your recovery could be faster.

If it cheers you up, since this injury happened it has never recurred for me, so this should be something you can make a genuine recovery from. Since this happened to me I have become much more diligent in doing lower body dynamic stretching before I walk on court and have not had any problems since.

Best of luck with your recovery. Be sensible, stick to the rehab programme, don't go back on court too soon, and you will get better.

 

[Chas Tennis]

There are some long and informative threads in this forum on calf injuries. Many commented on how difficult it was to heal and how long the injury can linger.

For example,
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=387259&highlight=calf+injury+tennis+leg

Google: Common Tennis Injuries

There are half a dozen papers and discussions that discuss the common tennis injuries including calf injuries. The name 'tennis leg' is often used for calf muscle injuries and can be searched.

Google search: pictures tennis leg
https://www.google.com/search?q=pic...ZDomEygHCtYHwCQ&ved=0CCcQsAQ&biw=1099&bih=670

Your calves are used heavily in everyday activity in every step, so it's hard to take it easy. I would not get involved in any possible stressful activity that may re-tear healing tissue.

See a well-qualified Dr for a firm diagnosis and follow the treatment and advice for your activities to avoid stress that may interfere with healing. Don't test is too soon after the pain lessens and re-injure the torn muscle.

 

[Torres]

Every find yourself having to write with your off hand? Or try playing tennis with your off hand? That's what I feel like with my legs. It's been nearly a week since I tore my right calf muscle. I was just starting my 3rd singles set and was chasing a drop shot. It felt like someone punched me in the back of the leg. I hobbled to a stop and thought it was a cramp but my leg wasn't locked. I tried to put weight on my leg and it was too painful to do so. Luckily my hitting partner was kind enough to give me a ride home and my wife came out to meet me curbside with my old crutches.

Any one suffer from this? How was your rehab?

Sounds indicative of a Grade 2 tear ie a medium tear. 6-8 weeks would be my estimate I'm afraid as it takes about that sort of time for mature scar tissue to form. Even with a minor Grade 1, you'd be looking at a minimum of 3-4 weeks. It's also not an injury that you that you want to try and rush back prematurely as you really need to let the muscle heal before you start putting uncontrolled forces through.

I think did mine a couple of years ago - good thread here: http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=387259

Would be worth seeing a physio if you haven't already done so to get an idea of the rehab exercises which I'm happy to try and describe if you want.