Subject: RE: injury Hey again Silent, The usual medical advice says 2 weeks for a mild strain (grade I), 6 to 8 weeks for moderate strain (grade II). A complete rupture (grade III) usually requires surgery and takes several months, if ever, to return to normal activity. Age makes a difference too. Being an old codger, I have taken longer to see improvement than the stock medical advice. If you can still run on it and there is no bruise showing, you are probably in the grade I category. I would advise RICE, ( rest, ice, compression, and elevation). Start mobility (i.e. walking for exercise) and stretching when the pain goes away. When you are pain free and feeling normal again, cut the running to about half the distance you were running previously and reduce the intensity (you run pretty fast). Build back up slowly. You should avoid hills and speed work until you are sure the symptoms are completely gone. You should be able to recover completely from a mild strain with no after effects. Just don't turn it into a chronic injury with irrational exuberance. TW |