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calf strain, calf strain running, dashinista, how to treat calf strain, injury, physiotherapy, ultrasound
This week I was out of action with a calf injury. I spent a few days sulking and feeling depressed but also resting and treating the injury with regular icing and ultrasound. After consulting my GP and physiotherapist the diagnosis is that I have strained my plantaris muscle, thankfully not torn it and that because I treated it so early I’ve probably helped speed along the healing process.
According to the physio, they usually advise patients that calf strain takes 4-6 weeks to heal but after the treatment he thinks I could be back running in 2 weeks. Great news! Until then, I’ve got instructions to continue with my training plan but substitute the running for another aerobic activity. I’ll be checking out a few spinning classes over the next couple of weeks, and hopefully be back running in time for the South Downs Relay.
I don’t presume to disagree with your doctors, but when I pulled my plantaris, my doc had me back in three days – my next scheduled run (with cycling from the day I saw him – no days off).. Because you’re a fore-foot runner your situation may be different, but four to six weeks for a pulled muscle (especially a small one like the plantaris) seems ridiculously long. Either way, here’s to wishing for a speedy recovery. Good luck.
4-6 weeks seems a long time to me, but the physiotherapist did say that although that is a guideline time for recovery he does not think it will take that length of time for me to recover.
I walked about 4 miles on Saturday, flat shoes and flat terrain, and the calf was aching in the last half mile so I think running is still at least a week away. But more ultrasound, physio and cycling next week and who knows?
Hey, glad it’s something that is easily fixed. I’ve always got some sort of calf strain. Yet again weak glutes rear their ugly head!
Easily fixed but oh-so-frustrating! I’m rubbish at being patient but I’m being extra cautious given the amount of time it took me to recover when I had runner’s knee a few years ago.
I am convinced that the treadmill is to blame, the first time I run on one in over a year (not counting running shop consults) and I end up with calf strain.
Next time I will just run outside in the monsoon even if it means I end up drowning!
OMG, I ALWAYS get injured on the treadmill. I think it’s because I don’t run properly. I did 5k on there in January and suddenly had this hip/knee injury. grrr
Treadmills = rubbish!
yep, although i am debating whether to get one in my office so I can be like those high-powered directors in the movies who dictate things from their treadmill!
Sorry to hear about your injury, but glad you are on the road to recovery. You’re a blogging machine, btw. I can’t keep up!! Love it.
Haha, I go through phases. I have to strike while the iron is hot, otherwise I forget what I wanted to write about!
Injury is slowly healing, I did a 5km on Sunday which was all I could cope with as calf was unreasonably tight. Physio straight after, then ice in the evening and physio today – hopefully it will be ok for another 5km tomorrow. Being unable to run when I want to drives me MAD!
I hope the calf is feeling better now. You could try rolling the calf with a frozen water bottle. See my post, fitfor365.wordpress.com/2012/06/03/home-physiotherapy-2/