Why is my calf muscle still sore after 3 1/2 weeks?

Typically, I do a variety of activities, and am regularly physically active. I did a leg / butt workout a few weeks ago, had usual soreness, but mostly in the deep muscles of my right buttock with mild soreness in my calf on the same side. After a week or so, my butt got better, but the calf didn't. I did a swim and a walk - toward the end, I felt the calf slightly pull or cramp, so I took a couple days off. When I worked out 3 days later, the entire leg felt tight, and I thought I strained / pulled it, so reluctantly took a couple weeks off and treated it as such. It does feel like it might have been torn, and there are small lumps I can feel along the gastroc muscle fiber, but it doesn't really hurt a lot or feel much weaker and the soreness / tenderness doesn't seem to be going away. I don't want to risk tearing it more bc I can't afford insurance right now, but don't want to miss working out it it's not necessary.

Anonymous2014-04-25T11:01:55Z

There are a few things you need to do...

1. Ice it!!
2. Go to the doctor.
3. While there, ask about massage.

This can help with the pain and help facilitate healing.

Nexus2014-04-25T10:25:48Z

Sounds like you may have torn the muscle if it has been this long. I'm not sure what symptoms there are exactly, but I think you should go and see a doctor. Definitely don't put strain on it, until it gets better. Hopefully all you need is time for it to heal. I think you can work out other muscle groups, but be careful.
I'm not specialized in anything to do with this, so a doctor would probably be the best.