Hi

50 year old bloke, does keep fit (circuits), hockey, biking and surfing.

Gave up footie a couple of years ago as hamstrings went a couple of times, apparently – hockey and biking shorten them. As background I’m a very unsupple/unflexible person – can’t touch toes etc. I do warm up before keep fit, hockey, surfing (*but probably should warm up a bit longer)

Now it’s my calf muscles, they go – feels like middle of muscle, lower part, only during hockey so far – but it’s a few times in the last year. Local doctor useless, luckily o another attempt got a locum who recommended a neoprene suupportprene support, which I’ve used on my right leg – that has worked so far. Now my bleeding left has gone.

so
– is it ok to wear a support on both legs during hockey
– is there anything I can do to improve the situation – exercises/stretches etc.

Thanks

It may be your Soleus muscle. Is the pain at the centre just below the bilk of the calf muscle where it inserts?

I have had similar injuries and my advice would be to see a physio. When injuries occur in this area scar tissue develops over the injured area. As the injury subsides and training resumes the same injury occurs over and over.
Its important that the scar tissue is removed through frictional massage (there is also a technique called ART which you can google but is the same thing I think)
It means a couple of painful sessions but is worth it.

Post excercise stretching, gentle massage and thorough warm ups will help as will Sorbothane heel inserts to raise your heel a few mm.

Good luck

The best stretch for this btw is leaning against a wall with your heel on the floor and your knee bent. I would suggest several times a day and 3 x 30 seconds each time.

Or see a sports massage specialist, as they deal with this sort of stuff day in, day out.

Ian.
As per my recommendation really. However in the spirit of STW I was looking to offer some practical advice to start with.