Recently I have been making up for all those months being stuck on the couch last year with some nice little vacation. The “cross training” of swimming, walking and core strength type fitness classes have paid off: I manged well on my feet on the sandy beaches, pebbles and coral reefs. The past 2-3 months I feel comfortable with my balance and walking normally again. No pain or swelling at the ankles. Slowly the muscle is taking shape again, the soleus seems quite slower though than the gastrocnemius to come back. It is an exeptionally beautiful and warm spring here in Ontario (Canada) so I am working hard in my garden, digging and planting, too. Cheers!
Are you judging the re-development of the two muscles visually/palpably, or by strength? You can push much harder with a straight knee than a bent knee = stronger gastroc than soleus?
At almost 5 months, I seem to be able to push hardest (on a scale) with a bent or semi-bent knee, and quite a bit less with a straight knee.
I’ll know lots more after Thursday, when I push against the computerized machine, then see my (non-op) surgeon.
Where in Ontario? I’m in Toronto.
I do not measure with a scale, but yes, visually/palpably and by strength I note the difference. At the soleus there is still 3cm difference between the two.
I am just a bit West of Toronto.
The 3 cm difference is in circumference, and “at the soleus” means lower down than the biggest part of your calf. . .?
Maybe I should find some photos, or drawings, or models. . .
I measured it up again: about 20cm below the knee, the difference in the circumference is 2 cm.
Hey, I’m 9 months out now and with sweat and tears can do a leg raise on a scale and hit 80 pounds of pressure.
My ankle muscle is gone and I need to figure out what to do for that.