My calf???

[mowgli]

just about 7 weeks post surgery. Still in a a non weight bearing cast,
still need to keep up the leg after a while or I feel extreme
tightness in the cast. My question, today I noticed that I basically
have no calf muscle/definition at all. When I looked at the GOP of my
cast I noticed that there was only loose skin hanging down! Has
anyone else experienced this?

[Brian Gregan]

Yes - I does not take much lack of use for muscles to atrophy

Best wishes
Brian Gregan
0418 489 814
02 99493306

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[Meg Gwaltney]

My physical therapist told me there are 3 muscles that go down the length of your calf. Two are connected to your ankle and one to other parts of your foot. The two connected to your ankle will atrophy because you no longer have movement in your ankle. The other muscle will come back. That's why it's important to do PT exercises when you're recovering (leg lifts, bicycle your legs in the air, etc) to keep as much of your muscle tone as you can.

Meg

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[Royj...@aol.com]

Since the only time I got to see my calf was in between cast changes.....I was in a plaster cast for 8 weeks, I did notice the calf. And then when I finally was put into a shoot boot, it was even more apparent. After I was allowed to walk and in regular shoes, I started working on the calf. I have an exercise room with real equipment, so I did a lot of calf raises which helped.  The leg that had the ankle fusion vs. the other leg, I looked like I had polio it was so thin.

 

Hugs,

~Royjean~

[Royj...@aol.com]

Meg, while I laid practically on my back for 8 weeks, I was told to do 3-12 sets of leg raises in bed every day. I think that helped me enormously. 

 

Hugs,

~Royjean~

[mowgli]

Thank you all for your replies. Prior to this surgery I was very
active, I ignored the anklepain and instability as much as possible.
Although my running life had ended I did spinning and biking on a
regular basis, I would swim 4-5 times a week, liftweights, etc. Now
for the last 7 weeks I have done nothing but lay around, watch the
tube, use my computer, etc. For a while I was paranoid about blood
clots and now that I noticed how I lossed my muscle mass my fear has
become will I ever get back to myself physically.
Thanks for listening

On Mar 20, 9:21 am, Royjea...@aol.com wrote:
> Since the only time I got to see my calf was in between cast changes.....I  
> was in a plaster cast for 8 weeks, I did notice the calf. And then when I  
> finally was put into a shoot boot, it was even more apparent. After I was  
> allowed to walk and in regular shoes, I started working on the calf. I have
> an  exercise room with real equipment, so I did a lot of calf raises which  
> helped.  The leg that had the ankle fusion vs. the other leg, I looked like  
> I had polio it was so thin.
>
> Hugs,
> ~Royjean~
>
> In a message dated 3/19/2011 5:17:54 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
>

[Royj...@aol.com]

Hi there, hey, I'm a bad person to ask. The rest of the group that knows me will tell you that. Although my ankle fusion was a success, I can no longer do what I use to do. But I should be happy I can even walk, right? I had the surgery in October '07 and to this day I still have issues such as numbness and pinging. I find it very hard to walk long distances. Prior to the surgery I did everything. I had to wear a brace to keep my ankle stable but I could walk, jog, bike, you name it. Now not much of anything. My husband thinks I should be happy I can walk and my ankle is not rolled over anymore but to think back 3 years and know what I use to do, well, it's really frustrated me.   But if I do too much walking, like working out in the yard, the next day my ankle is stiff and hurts and sometimes swells. I have to rest it all day long.

 

That was the reason I was told to do the leg raises in bed. So blood clots could not form plus too, it helped keep the calf muscle moving. Hey, I will say today I have my calf muscle back. Looking at both legs, they look the same.

 

Take care.

 

Hugs,

~Royjean~

[Kay O Sherrard]

The tightness in your calf might be from swelling when you lower the leg.  You are right about keeping it up.  Painful tightness could also be cramping, which I had a lot of trouble with.  Make sure you are getting enough potassium.  Best way - a banana a day. 

You will most definitely lose muscle tone, which will be especially bad in the fused leg.  You will regain most of it when you are back on your feet.  Physical therapy may help.  But with the fused leg, there may always be a little but of muscle loss because it is hard to tighten your calf muscle.  I suspect that younger people will tone up better than older folks (like me.)  Hang in there.  - Kay

[Royj...@aol.com]

Hi Kay, the thing is too, I don't know about you, but no more tippy toes!!!  ha ha I cannot do that, that's why my calf machine is so good for the calf.

 

Hugs,

~Royjean~

[Barb C]

Mowgli, I had this too, but don't worry. Once you are out of the cast
and SLOWLY start using your ankle more and more, it will come back.
My fused calf is a little smaller than my other one - but it is not
that noticeable.

Keep that foot up for now! You are almost there!!!

Barb

Fused Nov 4 2010,
walking 3-4 miles EVERY day!
plus, cycling, skiing and LOvING it!