Calf bruise/strain from softball

[Anita L]

The other night while playing softball, I was on first base after hitting a single, and our best hitter hit a laser at me while on first base, hitting me on my left calf. I guess a better place to get hit than what could have been, I hadn't even taken a step yet he hit me so hard. Everyone asked if I was alright, and I walked it off and completed the softball game. After driving home, I got out of the car, and suddenly it felt like I could barely walk. It's weird, because you don't see much of a bruise from the outside, but deep in my calf my leg is really aching...it really seems to be making my whole body ache..especially both legs. Anyone in sports massage who has experience in medicine, what is the typical recovery time for this type of injury? I have a softball game in about 3 days but I am hesistant to play if you feel it could get worse. Will massage lessen or help this type of calf bruise? It doesn't hurt to touch much, but if you press on it it hurts a lot...and my whole leg is consistently aching...Thanks...

 

[mr_know_it_all]

if it was that hard,'I'd suggest an x-ray - hairline fracture might be a possibility. Healing time for fracture vs bruise are different.
Does your leg feel hot to touch? thrombosis might be another possibility.

Have you been icing it? Did you ice it the night it happened? How long ago was "the other night"? Have you been applying any heat to it?

 

[pollyfashion100]

I agree with melb. You should see your Dr. Too many possibilities for something serious with that kind of impact.

 

[ithb]

if it was that hard,'I'd suggest an x-ray - hairline fracture might be a possibility. Healing time for fracture vs bruise are different.
Does your leg feel hot to touch? thrombosis might be another possibility.

Have you been icing it? Did you ice it the night it happened? How long ago was "the other night"? Have you been applying any heat to it?

I iced it the night it happened and maybe once afterwards..I haven't applied any heat to it. Assuming it is a bruise and not a fracture, how long would this sort of thing take to heal? If it does continue to get worse or not heal, I may take your advice and see a doctor...Right now, I am trying to rest it, but I feel quite achy with a headache..I don't believe me leg feels hot to touch, just sore..

 

[deek]

Right now, I am trying to rest it, but I feel quite achy with a headache....

a simple bruise and even a fracture would not be making you achy with a headache - all the more reason to get to a doctor asap.

how long ago did you it happen?

 

[AutumnWynd777]

Right now, I am trying to rest it, but I feel quite achy with a headache....

a simple bruise and even a fracture would not be making you achy with a headache - all the more reason to get to a doctor asap.

:iagree:

 

[craftongurl]

Assuming it is a bruise and not a fracture, how long would this sort of thing take to heal? If it does continue to get worse or not heal, I may take your advice and see a doctor

A third vote for seeing a doc. "This sort of thing" is too complex to assess without somebody seeing you. If you have finally found a regular massage therapist your doc can tell you whether MT would be appropriate after checking you out.

 

[Socks33]

I concur, with something that hit you that hard... a visit to the Dr seems reasonable. Especially if you are considering playing again in the near future!

A Dr could then advise you on the proper diagnosis (something MTs are not qualified to do)... as well as suggested methods of treatment. (Epsom Salt soaks, ice packs, stretches, massage, rest, compression, nutritional advise, etc.)

 

[justin b]

Assuming it is a bruise and not a fracture, how long would this sort of thing take to heal?

I've had clients who had deep bruise injuries and it took them longer than a week to really heal. I don't think massaging it right now would be a good idea. Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation for injuries (as I'm sure you've heard).

If I were you I would not count on playing in the next game.

 

[miss_j]

Assuming it is a bruise and not a fracture.

I wouldn't assume anything - just to be on the safe side.

 

[Henry]

OK, some good news, bad news. The good news is, simply from resting my calf, it's gotten a lot better in the last 2 days. It was very bad the day after but the swelling and pain have really gone down. The bad news is, I didn't realize it until about Sunday but I am suffering from food poisoning...I think it was something I ate at IHOP! (Pancakes?) To make a long story short, I think some of the fatigue, pain, fever, and other strange symptoms I was having had less to do with my calf injury and more to do with being food poisoned....I'm still not recovered from that but am improving a little over yesterday. So, since food poisoning I think takes about 3 days to run its course, I'm going to sit back and wait a day or so, and then I should hopefully feel a lot better all the way around..if I feel better by Wed night, I think my calf is good enough to play Thursday...

 

[jenni]

So, since food poisoning I think takes about 3 days to run its course

general run of the mill food poisoning usually takes 12-24hrs, not 3 days to run its course. General run of the mill food poisoning does a lot more than give you headaches and an achy feeling.
You don't seem too keen to go see a doctor....

 

[Jabroni711]

I always have the luck of getting food poisoning and I have never had it last more than 24 hours. Three days of constant vomiting and diaherra you think you would be a tad dehydrated and in need of some IV fluids.

 

[Quiet girl<3]

So, since food poisoning I think takes about 3 days to run its course

general run of the mill food poisoning usually takes 12-24hrs, not 3 days to run its course. General run of the mill food poisoning does a lot more than give you headaches and an achy feeling.
You don't seem too keen to go see a doctor....

The reason I didn't call my doctor is because it says to only do so if your symptoms last more than 3 days...As far as excessive waste from my digestive system, that started Monday, and today is Wed. morning and I think it is almost out of my system. Saturday and Sunday I just felt sick to my stomach and bloated, but didn't know I was possibly food poisoned until Mon. morning...

 

[cheyenne]

Alright, I'm taking your advice and going to the doctor. I still feel nautious even though things aren't running through my digestive system quite as fast anymore. I still have very little appetite, and I guess there is too many things that could go wrong to not get things checked out.