How I Need My Gastrocnemius!

Posted on December 1, 2009
Filed Under Personal |

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1

Okay, I know what you will say. And I probably shouldn’t even tell you. But, it’s all part of the “family” sense I have with the whole lot of you.

So, Thanksgiving morning, I joined the traditional “Turkey Day Bowl” with a bunch of friends and their sons. This is where we (the fathers) pretend that we have been exercising our football muscles and joints and tendons and are therefore in perfect shape to go out and engage in rigorous football action.

It’s a guy thing.

So, after feeling really good about myself because I had executed some very laudable plays, I turned it up a notch at one point, certain that this next move would make the evening news.

It didn’t.

Or at least it wasn’t the kind of highlight video that you want to watch.

I thought someone had kicked me in the calf…or maybe hit me with a baseball bat. But what in the world would someone be doing with a baseball bat out on the football field?

Unfortunately, the “hit” was also accompanied by a loud “pop”. That isn’t a good sign…or sound.

Then I went down…and looked around. No one was there. When I tried to get up, there was a very distinct feeling in my calf. The English word is “PAIN!”

So, here’s the bottom line. The big muscle in the upper part of the calf is called the “gastrocnemius”. It actually has two major portions, medial & lateral. Running up between them is the plantaris tendon.

I tore them.

They hurt.

I hurt.

Now, before you start thinking nasty thoughts about why I was even out there playing football in the first place, you should know that this happens to even great professional athletes, like Albert Pujois. So, it has nothing to do with age or ineptness or whatever else you are thinking. I am actually in pretty good shape…or at least I was. :(

So, I spent Thanksgiving with my leg up, icing it and trying to keep the swelling down. That wasn’t easy, because by the evening, my right calf was about twice the size of my left. This was embarrassing because we had friends and students over for turkey dinner. I was somewhere just below worthless.

It has now been 5 days and I’m still worthless. I certainly can’t walk on it. And, in fact, I think it hurts more today than ever. (Am I a wimp, or what?) My leg is discolored–something close to an unmentionable yellow. My ankle is black & blue. And I can’t do much at all.

But more than that, it is amazing to me when I realize how just one muscle and tendon can end up disrupting your whole life.

How true, though. Little things can become major barriers and obstacles that can hinder us.

Is there a relationship in your life that needs to be mended?

Is there bitterness needing to be resolved?

Is there a task that has been hanging around your neck that you just keep putting off?

Or a phone call? Or a letter? Or a visit?

Sometimes those nagging obstacles aren’t that hard to deal with. We just need to act.

I wish mine were easy to resolve. I know some of yours aren’t either. But doing nothing will only insure that it will never go away or, may possibly even get worse. That’s especially true of bitterness.

So, the best thing to do is just do it.

Excuse me…my gastrocnemius is calling!

Comments

20 Responses to “How I Need My Gastrocnemius!”

  1. Doc B on December 1st, 2009 1:35 pm

    You did go to the doctor, right? (you didn’t mention that); because this injury results in a permanent dysambulatory condition if not repaired (assuming a grade III tear or tendon rupture).

    Short of that, you may need to be casted or splinted to allow the muscle to heal. In either case, you need to see the doctor, and preferably an orthopaedist or sports medicine specialist.

  2. Pete on December 1st, 2009 4:37 pm

    oh boy Dr. Tackett that is a doozie, you have graciously shared your heart with so many and it is my desire that i might share with you some knowledge and understanding that i have come to learn with regards to healing and hydration and the importance of water!

    Alkaline Ionized water! extremely beneficial in assisting in recovery from injuries and overall health of the body! Water is so so so very important to the whole of the body, but what kind of water??? hopefully not and most often acidic and bottled tap water. Rather Alakaline Ionized Water!!! very important!

    Scientist have made tremendous breakthroughs in understanding the properties of water when the water is ionized to become more PH balanced, highly anti oxidizing as well as structured to hydrate the body at the cellular level! Fascinating and even more fascinating when you begin to drink this water and experience the incredible benefits of oxygen levels to the blood and brain!!! six times more hydrating than any other fluid. it is great!!

    Topically… Arnica Gel is excellent to help with with pain bruising and muscle aches and stiffness. You can find these in the homeopathic medicine isle of your local natural foods store. Arnica is a staple around our house where bruises seem to be common for the active child in us!!

    Of course nothing is more important than the living water of our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus as we know!!!

    In your speedy recovery and excellent health in him! We need you up and mobile for Cross Examine!!!!

    in his grip with a passion for his love!

    Pete

  3. Kelley on December 1st, 2009 5:45 pm

    Del, that looks unbelievably painful. You might be walking with a limp for quite awhile, just tell everyone you were wrestling with God;) I’d believe you, ha! Might want to ask for a walker for christmas…

  4. Beth on December 1st, 2009 9:12 pm

    Wow, that looks unbelievably painful! I agree, you need to see a doctor if you haven’t already.

    Hope you’re feeling better soon!

  5. Reece on December 2nd, 2009 12:58 am

    Sorry you were injured Dr. Tackett,
    but then…from a military stance, “Pain helps you know you’re alive.” …or something along those words. In any case, now would be a great time for a doctor or healing evangilist to stop by your house, lol.

  6. Fred on December 2nd, 2009 11:34 am

    Join the club but spare us the photo. You’ve joined the large club of mostly weekend (&weeknight) athletes getting a few weeks off from their sports endeavors courtesy of their plantaris. It was a apt description…I thought someone shot me in the calf. The good news is you don’t need it & it heals in 4-6 weeks. Looks like you get to delegate your Christmas shopping or shop online.(although most men would hop around on one foot and when asked would say “I’m fine”) All the best to you & your family. You are a blessing to many!

  7. yolanda on December 2nd, 2009 2:59 pm

    So sorry for pain. My chiropractor told me the same thing that Reece said about ” with the pain you know that you are alive” so true. I pray for a quick recovery Dr. Tackett. Thank you for teaching and sharing about Gastroncnemius. You know it really touched me deeply, what you shared about barriers and obstacles, the things that can hinder us in our life.
    Now is a good time to be humble and think of others. Make that phone call,(you say you’re going to call back and never do) or that visit(lets do lunch or get together soon) and never do.
    (I will write) and never do. these little things mean so much to some people and yet, so hard to get around to do…

  8. John on December 2nd, 2009 3:42 pm

    WOW! Nice picture. THe memories are flooding back to me now & I can still “feel” the initial flood of pain. Great night of basketball that was. Thx for sharing.

  9. JeNee on December 2nd, 2009 3:51 pm

    Oooh, not a great muscle to tear! Praying for a speedy recovery and less pain! I played powderpuff football in College and shattered my distal joint in my middle finger…required reconstructive surgery but I still say Go FOOTBALL! :) Have a sweet day in the LORD!

  10. Bill N. on December 2nd, 2009 5:10 pm

    Dr Tackett,

    I am wondering how can this be. I saw a nimble man sprint off the stage at Franklin TN to get to a photograph. All kidding aside Ginger and I will pray for rapid healing. You have certainly been an inspiration to us. We will be holding our first small group in our home in Murfreesboro, Tn beginning January 10.

    With deepest respect,
    Bill N.

  11. Debbi on December 2nd, 2009 6:27 pm

    It difinently looks bad, but sorry to say my Mother-in-law has you beat! She missed the bottom step of stairs and broke her wrist in several placaes, also some ribs, both of her feet and left knee are sprained….Praying for both of you for a speedy recovery!

  12. Juanita on December 2nd, 2009 8:34 pm

    I remember it like it was yesterday, just as you described it. I was stepping down from a step, extending my leg reach and bam! I, too, thought that someone hit me in the calf. Couldn’t figure out why (or who) anyone would do that.
    The worse part for me was the recovery. It wasn’t like I was sick and sleep the day aways to recover. I felt fine, for the most part. Just couldn’t get around much, and was bored, bored, bored.

  13. Angela on December 2nd, 2009 10:16 pm

    Sorry to hear the painful news. Just a side note that if you eat a bunch of pineapple it will help the bruising heal a lot faster. If it is fresh pineapple it works even better but canned will do. Will keep you in my prayers. Just so you know it really works I had some really bad bruising a number of years ago and it keep the bruising under control and healed a lot faster than most bruises. God Bless and keep up the good work!!

  14. Nancy on December 3rd, 2009 8:25 am

    I am so sorry! My husband did the same thing back in April, but he expressed it as being shot. And it was not nearly as glorious as a game of Thanksgiving football with the kids. He was just bringing the dogs in and slipped. He’s still walking with a limp!

    Thanks for taking it a step deeper and relating it to heart issues. That’s turning the ordinary into the holy.

    Appreciate all you do so much.

  15. Bill on December 3rd, 2009 12:57 pm

    More Turkey day injuries.. Our Assistant Pastor, after doing a couple of stretches, ran out for a pass. It was high, but he stretched for it.. was undercut by the “defender” and landed on his shoulder, breaking the clavical. OUCH!

    Yeah.. he’s about 40. And I think he’s decided to hang up the cleats…

    Turkey day will, from now on, be a bit more about carving up the turkey - not carving up the gridiron..

  16. Nancy on December 4th, 2009 10:48 am

    On Sunday I fell down. Just fell down - tripped over nothing! Injured my foot/ankle. Is God telling us to slow down? To take time to ponder, pray and rest?

  17. carol on December 4th, 2009 11:01 am

    I certainly hope you are doing much better. And what a good reminder to us all.

  18. Joseph on December 5th, 2009 5:59 pm

    I can sympathize with you. I tore (partially)my Achiiles tendon playing basketball. I felt like someone hit me in the a similar way and when turned around nobody was there. Thank you for the reminder of things we need to mend in our lives.

  19. Laura on December 7th, 2009 8:11 am

    My mom, who is a competitive 66 year old distance runner, just tore her plantaris tendon about 1.5 months ago and her leg looked just as pretty as yours did:-) She is almost back to normal. I had never even heard of this muscle before her experience and now it seems like I am hearing about it everywhere! Enjoy this time of rest that God is giving you. Praying for complete healing.

  20. Rosemarie on December 8th, 2009 3:01 pm

    So sorry to hear of your mishap on Thanksgiving. My prayers are with you for a speedy recovery. Hope you are feeling better these days. Did you thank God?

    As Christmastime is upon us; your mention of those little things that can become major barriers and obstacles hits close to home. Instead of all the materialism that is becoming more and more prevalent in the surrounding of the holidays today, that we stop and slow down and focus on the real meaning of the season and begin to give the gifts that matter most; reaching out to those broken relationships and resolving that bitterness, by making that phone call to meet for coffee, sending that letter to say I’m sorry, or making that long needed visit to give a hug and say can we start over. God has given us the gift of peace. May we give it freely and in doing so find J O Y.

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