Get well soon Len.
I’m sure I read somewhere that copious amounts of Turkey, roast potatoes and Baileys helps speed up a calf strain. Lucky really given the time of year.

(PS Some of the things I read are entirely invented and are not medically substantiated in any way… :-))

Sports Injuries > Lower leg and ankle > Calf strain

Calf Strain

What is a Calf Strain?
The calf muscles consist of the Gastrocnemius which is the big muscle at the back of the lower leg and the Soleus muscle which is a smaller muscle lower down in the leg and under the Gastrocnemius.

Gastrocnemius is the larger of the two muscles which attaches above the knee joint and inserts into the heel bone via the achilles tendon. The Soleus attaches below the knee joint and then also to the heel via the achilles. Either of these two muscles can be strained (torn).

Both muscles act to plantarflex the ankle (point the foot away from the body). As gastrocnemius attaches above the knee it also helps with bending the knee. In this position, with the knee bent, soleus becomes the main plantarflexor. If the Soleus muscle is damaged you might get pain lower in the leg and also pain when you contract the muscle against resistance with the knee bent.

All muscle strains are graded from 1-3, with grade 1 being a minor tear, with up to 10% of fibres involved. A grade 2 tear involves up to 90% of the muscle fibres and a grade 3 is over 90% of fibres torn, or a full rupture. This usually occurs at the muscular tendinous junction or the achilles tendon itself.

Symptoms of calf strain include:

Grade 1:

A twinge of pain in the back of the lower leg.
May be able to play on.
Tightness and aching in the 2-5 days after.

Grade 2:

Sharp pain in the back of the lower leg.
Pain when walking.
There may be swelling in the calf.
Mild to moderate bruising.
Pain on resisted plantarflexion.
Tightness and aching for a week or more.

Grade 3:

Severe immediate pain.
A sudden pain at the back of the leg, often at the muscular tendinous junction (see image below).
Inability to contract the muscle.
Considerable bruising and swelling.
In the case of a full rupture, often the muscle can be seen to be bunched up towards the top of the calf.
A calf strain may be more likely in athletes who have tight calf muscles.

I’m keen to get the pairings established as they stand but of course, there are others who want to play. Shame they aren’t women!!!!!!

I’ll no doubt take you up on the offer, Nig, so thank you. There’s only 2 matches before Christmas, but I will look to put some other men in in the new year
Chris G