GSS

Yeah GSS. How exciting.... Save it's not Great Singapore Sale for me, but Gastrocnemius-Soleus Strain!!!!!!!!!

Blinks. Gastroc.... WHAT?
Refer to picture on left *point point*

AAaaahhh.....
Yeah THAT's GSS for me. Right calf's been a bitch for close to 1 week already... and yet no improvements. Every morning there's a cramp that's going on in my calf and I don't know what it is... (to the tune of "Every Morning" by Sugar Ray).

BOOHOOs.

Just now sought my good friend who's in occupational physio, and he said I've most likely strained it.

"Don't stretch it, just let it heal"
Des stretched it for me last night and this morning I stretched it again..
"Don't exercise"
I just did 3km last evening...
"and just ice it..."
Ok i've put tingling tiger balm on it.. so not too bad. Phew.

BUT STILL!!!!!
I've violated Rules 1 & 2!

Panick sets in and I googled in a rabbitsy-frenzy. 'Calf muscle strain' summoned many websites dedicated to sports injuries. Devoured all the various info from different slides and presenting my conclusion report >>

Muscle & Strains
The calf muscle group consists of the gastrocnemius, soleus and plantaris muscles, situated at the back of the lower leg. Their main function is to pull up on the heel bone.
Depending on severity, strains are classified as 1st, 2nd or 3rd degree strain:

- 1st degree strain is damage to a few muscle fibres,
- 2nd degree strain is damage to a more extensive number of muscle fibres,
- 3rd degree strain is a complete rupture of the muscle itself.


Signs & Symptoms
Grade 1:
Signs may not be present till the activity's over
Sensation of cramp/tightness (yes, me)
Slight pain when muscles are stretched/contracted (no.... i was practically -howling- in pain when des stretched my leg last night)

Grade 2:
Immediate pain which's more severe than Grade 1's (yes....)
Confirmed by pain on stretch and contraction of muscle (yes!!)
Usually sore to touch (felt sore when mum applied tiger balm for me)
Mild swelling (yes), noticeable loss of strength (yes I can't use my right leg at all)
Sometimes bruising (called ecchymosis) after a few days

Grade 3:
Immediate burning or stabbing pain
Unable to walk without pain (yes, that was me in the mornings)
Muscle's completely torn
May be a large lump of muscle tissue above a depression where tear is
After a few days a large bruise will appear below injury site (bleeding within tissues)

Treatment
Grade 1: Rest from sporting activity for 3 weeks
Grade 2: 4 to 6 weeks
Grade 3: Muscle has to be repaired surgically and rehabilitation will take 3 months

************** End of Report ******************

This is just great........ o_o"... Even the cute animals in Over the Hedge couldn't lift me over the hedge. AAAAAHHHhhHHHHHHaaaahhhahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh