Kicks with a torn calf muscle?

[bleeb]

PS> Any ideas on how long it takes to heal?

I'm not a medic of any form, but I'm a runner and paid a bit of attention when real medics talked about this class of injury. From what I understand, for a mild tear, three weeks isn't unusual although you might be slightly on the lucky side. A bad one can take six to eight weeks, and may require a little bit of rehab to make all the muscles around it work in the right sequence and balance again after it heals.

Also FWIW, if you haven't had it professionally looked at, that might not be a bad idea. A running buddy thought he'd torn a muscle until the sports medicine doctor diagnosed it as a stress fracture, subsequently confirmed by x-ray and bone scan.

Good luck.

 

[khacken]

Thanks. I have already seen my primary care doc and have an appt with the ortho.

Three weeks is perfect! It isn't completely torn. The doc thinks I blew out a few fibers, but not the whole thing, since I can move my foot.

 

[karstdvr]

PS> Any ideas on how long it takes to heal?

There are several degrees of muscle strain,anything to a slight pulling of muscle fibers,to actual tearing of muscle tissue,and avulsion. The degree of pulling/tearing can indicate how long the healing process will take,and obviously the worse the injury is, ie pain,swelling,bruising,the longer it takes to heal. Leaving cave diving alone until it is healed is a good idea,but when returning minimize frog kicks due to the power stroke involved with the calf muscles-work on your modified flutter (great kick and always under utilized)

 

[Dive-aholic]

Hmmm, good points. This is why you throw the questions out.

I do like the scooter idea!

But if the scooter malfunctions on you, you still have to swim out. Not a good idea with an injury...

I would make sure the muscle is completely healed before going back in the water. 3 weeks sounds a little too early for complete healing. If you get too active with it too soon, you will only reinjure it with possible long term effects. Either get cleared by your doc before resuming normal activity or wait at least 2 months.

 

[khacken]

Heh, I was just joking about the scooter. Not qualified on that yet...

 

[khacken]

Update.

Went to the ortho today and I was cleared for the trip. Doc wants me to tape up the calf before the dive. Also, I need to do an open water dive first to loosen up the muscle and make sure I won't be in too much pain.

Looks like it was just a minor tear.

 

[Dive-aholic]

Good to hear. And that's the proper way to do it!

 

[khacken]

Thanks for the responses and help!

 

[khacken]

Just a follow up. I had a great orthopedic doctor give me good physical therapy routines and I was able to do my dives fairly well. Had a couple of minor silting incidents, but was able to correct quickly. One other thing to any one else going through this is that I had cramping in some other muscles that were being used to compensate. I had to do a cramp release on one exit, but no big deal. Just went to the ceiling and let my buddy help out.

 

[sskasser]

Fantastic news! Congrats!