Pulled or torn calf...?? any help

[naefanne]

too icy to train outdoors but started training for my 5K on a treadmill.Was doing speed work gradually increasing every min .5 mph untill I was at 10mph at a 3% incling and what felt like a KINK in my calf and had to stop!!!hurts to walk downstairs and claf is very tender,hard to get the doc over the holidays so what do you think I might have done & any treatment/precautions should I do from experienced runners.
Thanks & Happy Hilodays

[Weeble29]

you probably just pulled your calf muscle. If torn your calf shape could distort a little...large bump where the tear occured would be present, also some swelling and bruise. ICE, ICE, and more ICE!!! Stretch it before bed and when you wake up. Do not over-stretch though, just stretch enough to losen the muscle. It should start feeling better in a week, rest as much as you can during that time and you should heal nicely. If torn you will obviously need to see a doctor with physical therapy help as well. If you are going to be on your feet or have to walk anywhere Patrap is right about the compression. Get yourself an ace wrap or any athletic wrap and keep it fairly tight on the calf without cutting off any circulation and this will help enormously when walking.

[wildstang]

theyve said it all pretty much above but i'll add if you have an electrical e-stem device or a friend has one utilize it. i have one from a previous spinal surgery that my insurance company purchased for me at the docs request of the same quality a physical therapist office has. man it makes a world of diff for me on little sprains and quirks i might get.

[homeydogg]

Originally Posted by naefanne

too icy to train outdoors but started training for my 5K on a treadmill.Was doing speed work gradually increasing every min .5 mph untill I was at 10mph at a 3% incling and what felt like a KINK in my calf and had to stop!!!hurts to walk downstairs and claf is very tender,hard to get the doc over the holidays so what do you think I might have done & any treatment/precautions should I do from experienced runners.
Thanks & Happy Hilodays

I'm not offering any advice, just relating an experience:

Two weeks ago, 5 miles into my 7 mile run I stopped to stretch. The day before I had fatigued my calves by running on a trail that had a steady uphill grade for 4 miles. Usually any soreness dissipates after a mile but that day it didn't.

As I started to stretch, I heard/felt a "pop" in my calf followed by some serious pain. Luckily I found a good Samaritan who gave me a lift back to my car.

I had resigned myself to a torn muscle. The next day walking was very difficult. Every day the pain subsided a little, but I still felt discomfort and weakness.

A week after the injury I walked a few miles.
Every subsequent day I gingerly jogged increasing distances.
Today I was able to run 6 miles @ 9:30min/mile (I normally run about 8:00 miles).

I still have a bit of weakness and plan to slowly pick up the pace, but I should be back to normal in a couple weeks.

The Samaritan saved me from seriously injuring myself and I might have overestimated the injury's severity.