Strain/tear on calf muscle while riding

[Samuelgowland]

Need some help and advice from anyone who has had a similar experience or can just help me understand. Today when I was riding going at quite a quick and constant pace for strava, averaging just over 31kmh comfortabley then about 6/7km into the ride I approached a starva segment which was on a hill, I always try and go for this one and so did. When pushing was going quite fast and strong but then suddenly I felt the back of my leg, around my calves just kinda tear was really painfully stoped complete movement and almost fell off the bike trying to come to a halt and get off, was feeling quite bad and didn't get any better when I tried to walk out of the road and on to some grass, at first it was very bad but I maages to get to a bench on the other side of the road where I started just trying to move it and then massage, moving it didn't seem to help but massaging it did after about 20mins of doing this I managed to get back up and walk around with only a bit of discomfort but there was still pain, though I decided it would be best to head home. It's now about 4 hours after ridding and it is still painful and when under slight pressure gets worse. What should I do to help this and what is there I need to know. Many Thanks Sam

Note I am a consistent rider and go out about 3/4 times a week and do many other sports. Have never really had any problems like this before except for general aches and pains from over doing it.

 

[fossyant]

It's Cramp..

Simple. It's very difficult to sprain muscles on a bike as it's non-impact, but if not hydrated, cramp is a killer. It's massively painful.

Drink more before , during and after.

 

[Samuelgowland]

It's Cramp..

Simple. It's very difficult to sprain muscles on a bike as it's non-impact, but if not hydrated, cramp is a killer. It's massively painful.

Drink more before , during and after.

Hi ah thanks, my worry is I thought it could be some strain or tear as the bike I was riding is not suited to my size I'm around 5,3ft and the bike is I think a 53cm cube agree gtc race, I'm borrowing it from a club member.

 

[fossyant]

Nope cramp feels like your muscles will rip to bits.

It's cramp, so check hydration and what you've been eating/drinking.

 

[ColinJ]

It's Cramp..

Simple. It's very difficult to sprain muscles on a bike as it's non-impact, but if not hydrated, cramp is a killer. It's massively painful.

Drink more before , during and after.

Agreed. I have had some painful cramps like the one described by Samuel.

If you ever do manage to tear something, a bit of massage is not going to improve matters in a matter of minutes. I jogged into a pothole once and damaged soft tissue in my ankle and it hurt for nearly 2 years!

 

[fossyant]

Cramp is very painful. A tear is not in the same league.

It's also more common in newer cyclists until you/your body get's used to riding lots.

 

[nickyboy]

Funnily enough I'm getting over a calf muscle tear. But this was done in a Lads v Dads cricket match so I doubt I was dehydrated. In fact I remember having a couple of pints before we started.

 

[TheJDog]

It really doesn't sound like cramp. Who does that much sport and doesn't know what cramp feels like?

 

[vickster]

If cramp, the calf muscle would have gone all rigid, recovered and then been achy/twingy after. I get calf cramp in the night and know about it, then and the next day!

 

[Globalti]

Yes but cramp actually causes small tears to the muscle fibres so take it easy until the stiffness and soreness have subsided, which can take a week or longer.

A cure for cramp that REALLY works is to stick your head under the duvet and inhale your own breath. Miraculous. My cycling buddy is a physician and he reckons that inhaling your own CO2 could be increasing the acidity of the blood, which counteracts the increased alkalinity that causes cramp.

 

[vickster]

Possibly won't work so well if the cramp comes on while cycling, swimming etc and there's not a duvet handy!

 

[Globalti]

A paper bag works just as well or pull your sweater over your mouth.

 

[vickster]

pull your sweater over your mouth.

That might expose my tummy!

 

[Samuelgowland]

Update: it's been around 24 hours since it started and the pain/stiffness of the muscle has not gone away and has become worse and making moving more painful. As I walk normally it feels kinda like it's over stretching causing pain. From what I have read so far it sounds like a bad case of cramp, but how long can this last for and should it get worse before it gets better or ? It's odd as from past experience of cramp I have only known it to last for a few moments and then being fine. Thanks for all the help and advice so far everyone.

 

[Globalti]

It is always possible you tore the muscle by over-exerting it. Actually reading your description of the sudden tearing sensation it sounds more likely than cramp, which you'd have recognised. Were your legs thoroughly warmed up? Cold muscles tear more easily and cyclists are notorious for having inflexible calves.

The best thing to do would be to shell out £25 for a quick private session with a local physiotherapist, you'll find plenty in Yellow Pages. Get a diagnosis and some treatment and advice on rehabilitation. I expect they'll tell you to stop cycling and give it plenty of rest as you don't want it to become chronic. I have a chronic injury in a trapezoid muscle and it hasn't improved in over a year so I'm just having to live with it. I believe the treatment for a torn muscle is warmth and stimulation so as to bring in blood to the area.