What is the best thing to do for a calf injury if you can't afford to see a doc?

United States
September 27, 2008 9:52pm CST
Yesterday, I wound up stepping off a curb wrong after walking more than I normally do and not having enough fluids to drink... As soon as I stepped off the curb and even before my right foot hit the ground, I heard or felt a pop and experienced intense pain. I wound up sitting on the street corner grabbing the leg in agony. Now the calf of my leg is swollen... I cannot walk without having my injured leg way ahead of my other own. I can bear weight but it is the up movement of the foot that hurts like the dickens and sometimes if I try to move too fast there are spasms which really hurt. I think that it is a calf strain. Now the question is what should I do about it and how long can I expect to be limping... I have tried ice, raising the leg up (but not all the time) and have tried a Coach elastic bandage. I do end up walking on it a bit as I live alone and have to take care of myself... I walk sometimes holding on to things and sometimes just waving my arms back and forth for forward movement... Wondering if anyone else has had this problem or knows what works for it? I am wondering what is best to do?
1 person likes this
4 responses
AltheGreat2430
@AltheGreat2430 (2716)
• Philippines
28 Sep 08
What you need to do is see a doctor.. You can put an ice pack on it ease out the pain. You will experience that for a month and a half I think, depending on how you rest that calf of yours. If pain relievers help to ease the pain take some. Still the best thing to do is to see a doctor.. Take care.. Happy posting..
2 people like this
whiteheron
@whiteheron (4222)
• United States
30 Sep 08
Thanks for posting... I appreciate it.. I can't see the doctor now but will do so when I can.
chameleonsdream
@chameleonsdream (1230)
• United States
28 Sep 08
Ouch!! I haven't had that happen to me, but it sounds an awful lot like this: http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/back/backlowerleg/calfstrain.htm in a nutshell - RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation), ibuprofen for pain relief and to reduce inflammation, therapeutic massage to encourage blood flow to the area (which will speed healing). The one thing you can't do yourself at home is ultrasound therapy - I had a course of that when my trapezius muscle froze up years after an injury that tore it and it was -amazingly- effective. They also recommend using heel lifts in your shoes to reduce the amount of contracting your calf muscle has to do while walking. It sounds like this is one of those things that will take a while to heal - I wish you luck!
1 person likes this
whiteheron
@whiteheron (4222)
• United States
30 Sep 08
Thanks for the website... It is ouchy... I was stuck at home all weekend and was pretty depressed... no cane, no Ibropropin and no good ice wrap to cushion the heel... Limp, spasm, ouch... Today, first thing after some cars left their on the street parking places and I was sure that if I left my parking space I would not have to park downstairs in the carports and have to face the stairs, I got the Ibroprofen, a cane to take pressure off my other foot which also has an ouchie and a cooling wrap that actually can cushion the heel as well as the ankle and calf. I am limping but in a lot less pain. I am glad that you got the help you needed for the trapezius muscle. I appreciate you and your kindness for looking up that website, etc. You are great!
chameleonsdream
@chameleonsdream (1230)
• United States
30 Sep 08
You're most welcome. I research on the net for a living, so it was easy enough to find - I already knew exactly where to look ;). I'm glad to hear it's not as bad today. If it doesn't seem better by the end of the week, I really would bite the bullet and see a doctor about it.
Lakota12
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
28 Sep 08
Owch! no i havent done this one yet but putting ice on it should work to get imflamation down. About 15 mins. at a time. I also wouold say to massage it to try and get that spasm out. Hope this helps
1 person likes this
Lakota12
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
30 Sep 08
Welcome back and your welcome any time I can help I will do my best!
whiteheron
@whiteheron (4222)
• United States
30 Sep 08
Yes it did, massage and ice are great... Thanks for the suggestion. :) I appreciate it my friend. I am glad to be back in mylot... Long time no see. Thanks for posting my friend.
thebeaddoodler
@thebeaddoodler (4262)
• Lubbock, Texas
28 Sep 08
I understand about not being able to afford to see a doctor, but if you heard or felt a pop, I think you need to see a Dr. It could be something much more serious than just a sprain or strain. If that's all it is, it will take at least 6 weeks to heal. Sometimes a broken bone will heal faster than a damaged muscle or tendon. I would suggest you take ibuprophen rather than something like tylenol for a pain reliever as this will help prevent inflammation.
1 person likes this
whiteheron
@whiteheron (4222)
• United States
30 Sep 08
Thanks for the Ibruprophen recommendation as I did not know that it would act differently than tylenol. The area seems a little better... I am glad that I got a cane today, the Ibruprophen and a cooling wrap that does a little compression too... I could not leave my apartment earlier as I did not want to lose the parking place in front of my apartment. The Ibruprophen seems to help a lot. And the pain is going down too.