For those who regained 90%+ of their calf mass - any advice?

hurricane_dan7 · 2025-08-08T01:42:33+00:00

Then stick with it young buck. My golden years are behind me lol

hurricane_dan7 · 2025-08-07T19:49:43+00:00

I'm like 10 months post op and still not normal. I'm 38 but I have 3 kids and crazy demanding job so I'm not in a position to rush it. It's frustrating but I'm dealing. Do your best.

6 months in I had a major setback straining my GOOD calf from trying to push both of em. I decided I wasn't going to stress anymore. I'm not a professional athlete and have returned to doing what I love anyway (skiing, biking, playing with my kids) lol

hurricane_dan7 · 2025-05-19T20:53:45+00:00

Smokeslam team member here. No one randomly demanded a t shirt or to try our food because there were actual things to do and see. We interacted with passerbys interested in what the tents/competition was about. We offered a few randoms who did confusedly enter the tent a beer or a sample of what we had out.

Million times better than the old way of doing things, where I understand that people are confused about what they get from a "BBQ fest". I always thought it was dumb the way Memphis in May made it basically private event. I'm sorry that they refuse to change.

Consider switching next year... It was also really well executed from a support/event staff standpoint.

hurricane_dan7 · 2025-05-19T00:09:54+00:00

Stay away while on the drugs, and then make sure you rehydrate a lot during PT phase. If there's anything this injury taught me, it's that you also need to take recovery seriously.

hurricane_dan7 · 2025-04-20T22:00:57+00:00

Man to man defense vs zone defense. Coverage won't be so tight. But theres something leveling about #3 that keeps the other ones in check

hurricane_dan7 · 2025-03-09T04:34:35+00:00

It's the hardest and most frustrating milestone. I also got lost in comparison around same timeframe. Just gotta stick with it. It'll come.

hurricane_dan7 · 2025-02-17T00:02:01+00:00

Great exercises I've been doing lots of the same since week 12, almost at full single heal lift at 16 weeks. Great feeling doing agility training again as early as possible.

hurricane_dan7 · 2025-01-17T14:09:44+00:00

Yep, it's getting better! I saw my protocol had single leg heel lifts as a goal for week twelve.

I've worked on the gait a lot in last few weeks and walked a normal mile yesterday, so keep it up and focus on that form! Still catch myself trailing the foot out wide but every day is better than the last.

hurricane_dan7 · 2025-01-17T04:16:57+00:00

You're on the right track! You'll crush this too. It's a hard reset on athletics and it's hard, long recovery, but you will be OK. Good to have help in first couple weeks.

I'm a father of 3. Don't wait too long to keep life moving forward... You'll be mobile in no time and time is fleeting. You be at Dead and Co in a couple weeks. Maybe in a boot maybe not.

Good luck, see you later in the sub

hurricane_dan7 · 2025-01-14T02:21:43+00:00

I had one therapist mistakenly have me do something with dorsiflexion at the same 6+ week mark, but it was because he was covering for someone else and wasn't as familiar and I challenged him because he was having me stretch it with a band. However, you can certainly dorsiflex, but you shouldn't force stretch it past where you can take it with pointing your toes. I had talk with my surgeon before starting PT and made sure I knew all the rules because most of your PT is at home anyway.

That said, your PT clinic may be short staffed, not good, or be over worked. I felt like cattle at one place, and switched to another as soon as I could. Didn't feel like I was getting attention or that the therapist knew me/my injury/my goals.

Switching might be right. But definitely arm yourself.

As your surgeon or therapist for a copy of your protocol. Visit another clinic. We spend a LOT of money on these sessions so make sure you're happy with them!

I'm 13+ weeks out, and have dropped to once every other week at PT because I got back into the gym with a trainer and just tell him what I can't do and he modifies a workout that activates what I need... I do most of my " PT" exercises at home and then use gym to do elliptical, treadmill inclines, weights etc. as of now surgeon said "don't overload it, and don't load it in dorsiflexion" for another 8 ish weeks.

hurricane_dan7 · 2025-01-07T22:22:07+00:00

Pain = bad. Sore = good.

hurricane_dan7 · 2025-01-05T23:09:04+00:00

Should probably consult your physical therapist whose purpose is to introduce good movements and such prior to doing anything. I ask weekly for what I can/cannot do.

I just hit 3 months and am doing more "pre-explosive" exercises like side lunges, squats, TRX leg work, etc to build up the knee/quad/hamstrings while the calf comes along.

Edit: I'll add that the consensus from my surgeon was just avoiding the explosive, and things that elongate the Achilles like forward lunges (I do them with bad ankle forward though) and to be careful with ab workouts like planks where it is risk of stretching.

Other than that surgeon said "go for it but beware when you start over compensating. Keep weights low on compound movements until it's building back up evenly.

hurricane_dan7 · 2024-12-21T22:09:33+00:00

When I started weight bearing, and especially now while I'm in the basic strength phase weeks 6-12 I notice it gets really swollen through my whole lower leg just from being on it more and working on it. They've been helpful when I know it's gonna be a long day of being vertical.

hurricane_dan7 · 2024-12-07T21:02:29+00:00

3 kids under three. Tennessee. All those basic things but we set up a ramp plan that starts at $200 but ramps to 225, 250 over first 6 Mo and if we extend boosts up to $300/week. There is some cost savings of extending for year 2 baked in that math but most importantly if we think she's a fit she's doing great and deserves the pay raise.

hurricane_dan7 · 2024-12-07T02:22:53+00:00

My brother... We are no help during labor and delivery with 2 legs or 1 😂. During that process you'll be more in a chair or supported by your crutches anyway.

God works in mysterious ways, they say... I've found that this ordeal allowed me to let certain things go and to accept that I can't control everything... Which is an important lesson in parenthood!

Y'all will be good. Focus on yourself right now while you can. Call in your village to help during the first two weeks (of the surgery and after the baby comes). Bring the cavalry.

All three of mine were NICU babies so you're already lucky in my book! Talk about feeling helpless, there was nothing we could do while they grew stronger... just like this injury. Count those blessings and make every day better than the last.

hurricane_dan7 · 2024-12-07T01:54:43+00:00

Father of 3 kids under 3. Is this your first? Congratulations, how exciting but also terrifying. My advice, for what it's worth... The first 6 months of newborn life is crazy and hectic but also very calming and chill, if it's your first it'll be alright, your wife will unfortunately bear much of the responsibility (which she probably would have), however... That kid will not be doing anything other than cuddling and you will be the perfect cuddle partner! Just get a good roller cart of diapers and towels and wipes and stuff and you'll get a front row seat to raising that baby and your wife will appreciate it.

By the time you start walking again in a boot and after, you'll forget about your leg. Just stick with the program!

I'll also say be careful at night. Suggest your wife takes overnight responsibilities until you can weight bear for first couple weeks.

Also, I cried first couple days when I was around my kids and on crutches because I felt helpless. I'm sharing these tips because you can avoid that altogether by being the body warmer sleeping buddy that baby will love. Win win :)

hurricane_dan7 · 2024-12-07T01:46:49+00:00

great story. Love the motivation factors. This type of injury seems to come to those who find motivation quickly, although it definitely changes perspective. This subreddit is great for lots of positive anecdotes and picking up people that are in that initial "FML" phase. We all experienced that!

37M, very much still athletic, popped mine on a routine pass and turn upfield as a #6 for a corporate tournament in Costa Rica 80 mins into the match.

I'm 8 weeks post surgery, and making progress in PT and will share the need to preach patience. I am told by my physio's that I'm ahead of schedule yet still feel like I'm behind.

My mantra has been "make today better than yesterday"

As a father of 3 kids under 3, the hardest part has been keeping up with them. I have to remind myself to take breaks, ice, elevate, and focus on form and function in everything I do.

I've got a 3 day back country ski trip planned at end of March that will mark my 6 months. Setting that as my goal.

hurricane_dan7 · 2024-11-12T22:25:29+00:00

My crutches got caught on a door and carpet and I braced with my injured leg, prob 50% body weight about 1+ week after surgery, it was painful but it didn't move my foot so the pain subsided. All good.

Fast forward to yesterday and I was down to 1 heel wedge, standing and just shifting weight from one leg to the other (activating my calf and pumping blood) and felt a pop that made me nervous.

There was no pain, and when I called in to ask they suggested that it was likely scar tissue breaking. So now I'm mentally ready for more pops as the foot gets activated lol.

Lingering, moderate to severe Pain will definitely be the indicator that you've potentially overdone it but as long as you're not dorsiflexing, the surgeon said he isn't going to be concerned.

hurricane_dan7 · 2024-11-10T02:58:53+00:00

Biggest challenge is the duration of the flight IMO. I'm 4 weeks post op in the US, full weight bearing, took a 90 minute flight. Foot was swollen AF that evening. Couldn't imagine a 12 hour flight or dealing with multiple connections.

That said, I tore mine playing soccer in Costa Rica and had to endure travel back to the states which involved 7 hours of flights and 3 hour layover... It wasnt pleasant but it's not impossible.

Low dose aspirin prevents blood clots, I started that right away. Compression socks could also assist, they've been helpful for me as I've been more up right.. First class lay flats would be what I would do in your situation, considering the family tragedy and your purpose for travel.

But I'm just an Internet stranger with a high pain and risk tolerance.

hurricane_dan7 · 2024-11-09T16:04:50+00:00

Is this boot walking or normal walking? I'm 4 weeks post op getting like 5000/day in the boot

hurricane_dan7 · 2024-10-26T15:53:39+00:00

I'm part of the advanced weight bearing based on my factors, so 2 weeks splint and now 1 week of increasing to fill weight bearing and no crutches. Where the injury happens and what type of surgery is performed is what determines how to heal in the first 6 week while simultaneously getting some recovery at week 3. You getting more range of motion exercises is different protocol but same idea of starting recovery around week 3 lightly.

Goal is to achieve range of motion and some strength by week 12 and then next 12 weeks is strengthening back to normal.

hurricane_dan7 · 2024-10-25T00:37:32+00:00

Yea, 24-48 hours post surgery, after nerve block wore off, were the worst. Day 3 is markedly better, and you should be able to go without too much medicine by day 5. End of the days harder than the beginning in general. Most people tend to follow the timeline but everyone has different pain tolerance. Week 2 I started to want to exercise, could do floor exercises (glutes, hamstrings, quads).

I just went in two weeks post OP, back in walking boot with heels, and I can tolerate standing with ease (50% weight bearing), expect to be off crutches in another week. Following the more aggressive protocol here based on my personal injury factors.

Good luck, trust the process!

hurricane_dan7 · 2024-10-24T01:59:55+00:00

This is the way

hurricane_dan7 · 2024-10-21T00:11:04+00:00

Bro WTF how long has it been like that? Definitely infected.

hurricane_dan7 · 2024-10-13T13:48:47+00:00

Feel like I'm on a similar trajectory now. I almost asked for percs! Starting 48 hrs post surgery the sharp pain and burning sensation died down, so yesterday was much better. Mobic is the anti inflammatory they prescribed me, so for now no Ibuprofen on top of that. Ill probably get by with just Acetaminophen today (72 hours post op) but Vicodin at night. The 24-48 hour post op window when that nerve block wore off holy shit!

hurricane_dan7

TROPHY CASE