When will I get strength in calf back?

Hi Jonathan.

I am 13 weeks post injury.I was in cast 7weeks,boot 6. Although I have been walking about in house without boot for past 4 weeks.Twinges all around foot,even toes are affected.Its as if everything is at a halt for past few weeks,pain isn't severe but uncomfortable.I think it's an injury that takes a long while to get back to near normal.I was told you never get back to 100%.In saying this I don't mean to sound so negative,as everyone is different.One thing I know is that a lot of patience is needed for recovery of this injury.So take it easy and take care. I wish you well. M.

Thanks Mark. Yeah it's not unbearable pain, just a full ache really. Just hard knowing what is normal and what isn't. Care I'm getting from hospital isn't great. Haven't seen same doctor at any point and each one has a slightly different set of advice. How was your ability to walk once out of the boot? Could you get about as normal?

 Was the same at hospital.I did a lot of research on line,on you tube etc.

It was as if I was telling telling them what to do.Unbelievable!. So do some research.I think it's because mainly everyone has different strengths and fears while recovering.

I was officially out of boot last Thursday,i went and got a good pair of trainers,it felt good and had slight limp,but what you will probably find when your on your feet for a little while the leg and foot turns to a red/ purple colour,that's because the calf muscle has still to get full strength to pump the blood,this will take time and I am working on exercises right now for this.I hope to get back to work in three weeks,I'm a joiner and fit heavy doors up and downstairs a lot,so I'm a bit apprehensive.You will get discomfort for months. Sorry. A bloody awful injury.

I am a teacher so haven't taken anytime off. I've managed, with the help of others, to get to work and then basically taught from a chair. But I am hoping I'll be able to drive etc sooner rather than later and then commute will be easier, and I can start to use my feet a bit more too. Do you drive and if so have you been able to?

Desperate to get driving again!

You will get to know your own strength.I would imagine round about 10-12 weeks think about driving and even that maybe too early.

is It your right or left leg?its my left so that's the clutch foot.

I suppose it makes a difference with an automatic.

It's my left leg the clutch foot.

Do you think that makes it better or worse?

Well it's better if you drive an automatic.As you don't use the left foot.

Pressing down on the clutch needs more power than what the right foot is used for.

Just remember that you'll need to be able to do an emergency stop. That could be a lot of force, suddenly applied to your tendon. I'll share a little secret with you. You COULD cable tie an old work boot to your clutch peddle and put your foot into the boot. That way you don't need any kind of force from your tendon, all you need to do is push your leg downwards. Not sure how legal that is mind you.. I have been told it works well...

Most of my journey is motorway driving so don't actually need clutch much at all to be honest. But I get what you mean. May need to try it out with a little bit of local driving first.

Although I do like the boot idea, very ingenious 👍

I know this was my thinking.

What type of things did physio have you doing to begin with? Just wondered if there was any feasible activities I could be doing now that aren't going to set me back and may actually speed process at the other end slightly.

With you only 6 weeks,I would still keep my leg up and rest as much as possible.I just went with my own feelings and progressively did movements while resting up.Its not one of those injuries that the more aggressive the exercises the faster it heals.Just progress with patience,if you get too frustrated it can lead to a re-rupture and you will be back at square one.You will get there mate.

In how your progressing by now .i am now at the stage you were

Then ,after non surgical route for full rupture and also near full

Rupture mid calf .in a boot 5 wedges last one to come out in

5 days and appt at hosptal in 7 days .im still only partial w/b ,any

Pain im getting atm is in my heal burning and stinging which i

Believe is tendonitas ?but getting extreme swelling foot and

below knee through the Course of the day and wonder if this is

normal ? Im 70 and realise Now that im up against it .im afraid

To go full w/b untill ive seen The hospital because of the

Swelling .best wishes .

Hey Jonathan,

I am 8 days post op, still in soft cast with a Backslab.

On 30th May i will see doc and get my OPED boot for 4 weeks.

After that physio, and then rehab.

I'm lucky enough to have a gym very close.

They have two pools. A 25 meter and a warm water aerobics pool.

I plan on spending an hour a day in the water aerobics pool.

Simple walking and kicking, in a low impact medium.

There is nothing like being in water for knee and ankle recovery.

Will prob do that 6 days a week for a month.

Take a look at Zlatan Ibrahimovich, and Gareth Bale.

Both in the pool for knee and ankle.

I also have a Philips infrared lamp,

which is very good for muscle strains.

It dialates the blood vessels and thus increases circulation.

I think the trick is not to overdo it, especially stretching.

Slowly slowly and listen to your body.

Good luck with things