Anyone who knows me, knows I'm accident prone. I have been my entire life. Broken more bones than I care to remember and received more stitches than a rag doll. I've also been misdiagnosed many times. In 2008 I was told I had MS, yet completely missed the West Nile I actually was suffering from. Some years later, on the same day, I was told I'd be on dialysis by the end of the year, and I would lose the site in my right eye before the end of the year. In my youth, I spent an entire summer running around with a fractured leg and ankle. So when I do injure myself, I rarely seek medical attention because, well, unless the pain is unbearable, a blind chimpanzee has a better chance at a correct diagnosis. What is this about? Last April while sailing with Chris, the outboard motormount slammed down on my right thumb. It turned all purpley and swoll up. By the time we returned it was stiff, but workable so I ignored it. Then, while remounting the outboard for CLR, I misstepped and injured my left calf. My wife insisted I go to urgent care. They said the calf is only strained and will improve in a couple days. While there they noticed the odd shape and color of my thumb. X-rays confirmed a break, a dislocation, and a bone chip. This afternoon a "hand specialist" says no to all and the injuries are old. It's been 10 days since injurying my calf with no improvement. I'm beginning to think there has been another misdiagnosis.
I guess that is why they call it the "practice" of medicine. As a kid is was in the hospital set up for surgery, and it was canceled at the last minute when an individual with more experience stopped it. Turns out I had Osgood-Schlatter disease which is simply caused by different rates of growth between bone, tendons and muscles in adolescents. As soon as they all reach equilibrium it is cured.
Is your calf pain low, Mid, or high? If low in particular, it could be a tendon tear. Muscles that tear are usually resolved in a couple of weeks, but tendons take much longer like six months or so. The reason is that tendons primarily consist of collagen and do not have much blood circulation that aids in healing. A long time runner, I've just gotten over a case of Achilles Tendonitis after seven months. But it will eventually heal. There are exercises that can speed it up but it will still take time.
The calf pain is high. My leg is wrapped with an Ace bandage and that helps, but removal brings immediate pain. So does moving it from an elevated position. Without elevation, it swells 1 to 1 1/2" larger than the other calf. At all times it is very hard and even washing it causes pain. I wonder if there us something else I could be doing to speed up the recovery. I was told 6-8 weeks.
Carl, I'm sorry to hear about the medical journey you've travelled throughout your life having had some bumps along the way — I could share similar stories. Hope your leg and thumb improve soon!
Quote from: crazycarl on June 20, 2025, 08:06:04 AMThe calf pain is high. My leg is wrapped with an Ace bandage and that helps, but removal brings immediate pain. So does moving it from an elevated position. Without elevation, it swells 1 to 1 1/2" larger than the other calf. At all times it is very hard and even washing it causes pain. I wonder if there us something else I could be doing to speed up the recovery. I was told 6-8 weeks.
So sorry you are still suffering. If not already, please go get a second opinion at a different facility. Did they do x-ray or any other advanced imaging (MRI or CT scan)? With swelling as you described, you could have something much more serious going on with your leg.
Quote from: KObek on June 25, 2025, 12:22:42 PMSo sorry you are still suffering. If not already, please go get a second opinion at a different facility. Did they do x-ray or any other advanced imaging (MRI or CT scan)? With swelling as you described, you could have something much more serious going on with your leg.
Your thoughts are in line with my wife's. We're currently visiting the kids and been on the go every day. By days end my foot is so swollen it's difficult to remove my shoe. The pain hasn't subsided either. She may have already scheduled an appointment on our return.
you were greatly missed at the CLR. we hope you get well soon. hope to see you next year
Our daughter the nurse didnt like the swelling and discoloring. She also noticed a large bruise behind the knee that wasnt there a few days ago. A trip to the ER and another ultrasound showed a torn calf muscle. So, after a week of swimming and visiting friends and family, Dr instructions are to stay off the leg and seek physical therapy immediately. She said I need to stop every 2 hours on the drive home and, using crutches, move about to prevent blood clots. So after 12 hours on the road, we stopped for the night and are only 1/3 of the way home. As Joanie removed the shoe from my swollen foot she let out a little gasp. The bottom is purple and black. Dr said the swelling is blood from the tear and would collect in the foot.
I guess I'm not sailing to Lookout Lighthouse next week. Nor will I be joining Joanie at the Rod Stewart concert. But there is good news. Joinie has insisted I hire someone to mow the lawn until I'm fully healed.
Absolutely! no long uninterrupted sits in cars, planes or couches until this is resolved. You don't want to risk DVT with something that is not that serious, will eventually heal just not as quick as you might want. Rest it but move about regularly.
I've had friends that ended up with DVT with clots that moved and then it is much more serious, requiring hospitalization. Do what the Dr. and Therapist tell you to do. I knnow, not the normal CC protocol but still.....