Help Needed With My Painful Gastrocnemius

[wolf63]

A few years back I tore my right calf muscle. I heard a 'bang' and thought that I had been shot. I went to A&E and they gave me crutches. After ultrasound treatment it slowly cleared up.

It has happened again since then but never quite as suddenly or as painful.

My right leg has currently got a painful knot in the calf muscle. I have been doing the stretches that the physio told me to do about five years ago. They were slowly easing it.

Alas young Francis was ill this morning with his asthma. My maternal nature took over and I rushed him to the vet, totally knackering my leg. I was convinced that I would never get home. Young Francis is currently testing his claws out on the woodwork.

Does anyone have any ideas about what to do to ease this very sore knotted muscle? I don't think that I would make it to the doctor as stairs make it so much worse and I live in a second floor flat.

I can't take Ibuprofen as it clashes with my Lithium. I have paracetamol and some co-codomal (spelling?) at the lower strength.

I only work 4 hours per week - on a Monday - so I have until then to get it sorted out.

[Old_Geezer]

I'd not know but would suggest massage might help with the knot ?
Can you stretch the muscle or is that not helpful.

[wolf63]

I think that the idea is to stretch it but going up and down the stairs when going to the vet was really not a pleasant experience.

[sandyRoe]

Would a rub, something like Voltarol, help?

[wolf63]

Sandy - I don't have that stuff but if Tesco sell it I will get it delivered tomorrow.

I don't want to risk going out until I really really have to.

I might massage it and see if that helps. Going to see my GP will be the last option as there is nothing that he can do.

The good news is that Frankie is feeling better and has gone to his cardboard box for a snooze.

[Sqad]

Oh! dear.

It sounds as though it is a few fibres of the muscle head itself that have torn.

We are looking at 10-14days if incapacity.

Raise your leg, on a stool, rest as much as possible and apply a bag of cold peas strapped to your calf. Make sure there is another bag in the fridge.

Good luck.

[wolf63]

Thank you doctor Sqad.

I shall raid the freezer and do nothing resembling housework for the foreseeable future.