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Do calf supports help
I recently pulled my calf muscle (severe pain but kept going for about one minute) and stopped for two weeks. I've been back running for about two weeks and it's gone again, this time I stopped instantly. There was no popping or feeling of being shot in the leg just severe pain coming on in about two to three seconds. So two questions really, how long should this type of thing take to heal completely and do calf muscle supports help in either recovery or indeed as a permanent running aid. I'm 61 and only started running in March after a 20 year absence. Pretty fed up at the moment. Thanks for any advice.
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Calf problems will be my specialist subject on Mastermind one day.
Two weeks might be sufficient to heal the calf provided you have been doing a lot of very good streches on the calf.
I generally need 2 physio sessions to get over a calf injury properly. Yes I can leave it for a couple of weeks but in my experience it goes again quite quickly so I prefer to get the physio done and feel more relaxed about running
You would benefit from a regular Sports Massage. Scar tissue will have built up at the site now which would also benefit from being broken down, then a good therapist will advise on strengthening and stretching routine.
I would ice it 10 mins out of every hour that you can and rest from running until 100% otherwise it'll just take longer to recover fully.
Jane
Oh and yes the calf supports for me are brilliant - get the guards rather than the socks as they will last you longer. I recently got NX2U I think they're called full length compression tights quite expensive but brilliant.
Jane
I have very tight calves naturally so spend my life on the Physio's couch! I can highly recommend a visit to the physio for a sports massage to breakdown any muscle knots and scar tissue you may have. My physio lady does this for me once a month, its brutal at the time i wont lie and say it doesnt hurt
!
I will however say that taking the required number of rest days a week, the stretching excercises my physio has given me and my monthly visits to the physio keep me running. Oh and im only 34! No hope for me at all when i get to 61 by then my legs will just be a mass of knots
Good luck, let us know how you get on.
K x
Hi, sorry to jump into this thread. Recently suffered from a calf tear (8 days ago). Very painful sensation - been limping ever since.
RF - sorry to hear of the injury re-occurring, hope it heals soon. I'm no expert but wouldn't think 2 weeks is enough time to fully recover from a strain / tear, even a mild one.
I'm still wearing a tubi-grip bandage, but have just ordered a pair of compression socks to wear when I do finally re-start some gentle running. Will let you know if they work!
I wondered if anyone else who has had calf strain can identify with the following: Am able to walk on tip-toe on the injured leg but not pull it straight or weight bear at all on the leg when it is straight. Am a bit concerned because all the research I have done online suggests the exact opposite - i.e raising up on tip-toe should be painful, but normal placing of the foot shouldn't be after 1 week. Anyone else had this?
JB - some good advice about the massage (plan to book a session for next week) is there any benefit to continuing with ICE over a week after the injury occured? I'm using a bit of ibuprofen gel but cant really feel any difference.
Cheers
Ice is normally best in the first 72 hours but if you look at the professionals they have ice baths after most hard training sessions so has to be some benefit. I think personally listen to your body if it's acute type pain then ice is good if its muscular ache then heat is good. If you injure yourself again, start the process but you need to try and identify what's causing the issue's in the first place - it could be something as simple as tight glutes that's causing you to outwardly rotate pulling on the calves. A good sports therapist will identify any issues.
Jane
Excellent advise guys and girls thanks, I recently injured my calf whilst towards the end of a 10k run, and thought it was cramp at first so just tried to run it off. Then rested for a week and ran a 10k run again and it went after about 2k, I have done all the icing, tube bandage, Ibuprofen etc so will give it a good rest, but am really hoping this is not going to be a regular thing as I love running (I have been running for about a year and am 59). I am going to buy a support and use this when I get back to running again just in case. I may also try a physio session or two.