How To Treat A Muscle Strain In Calf?

How To Treat A Muscle Strain In Calf
What are the symptoms of a pulled calf muscle? – A pulled calf muscle can cause:

Difficulty tensing your calf muscles or standing on toes. when flexing your ankle or pointing your toes. Problems bending your knee. Snapping or popping sensation in your calf. Sudden pain in the back of your lower leg. Swelling in your calf muscle. Bruising on your calf muscle.

Most people with a pulled calf muscle report not being able to continue with their activity immediately following the injury. Your healthcare provider will perform a physical exam and review your symptoms. It’s important to describe in detail how you got the injury and how your calf felt immediately after the injury.

This information can help your healthcare provider make a diagnosis. You may need imaging exams to determine if there are any partial or complete tears in your calf muscles. These tests can also rule out other conditions that cause lower leg pain, such as or, Research shows that up to 10% of people with symptoms of calf pulls actually have DVT, which can be a life-threatening condition.

Your healthcare provider may perform a/an:

, to check for tears or fluid buildup around the calf muscles., to check for, a tear, or internal bleeding.

Immediate treatment for pulled calf muscles usually includes RICE, which stands for:

Rest: Stop running or physical activity to avoid further damaging the calf. Ice: Apply an ice pack or cold compress for 20 minutes every two hours. Don’t apply ice directly to your skin. Compression: Reduce swelling and fluid buildup by applying a compression bandage or wrap to the injured area. Elevation: Lift your leg into an elevated position, preferably above the level of your heart. Support the entire length of your leg with pillows, blankets or cushions.

You can perform RICE at home, but it’s always good to check in with your healthcare provider about any special instructions. Avoid:

Applying heat to the injured area. Drinking alcohol. Massaging the calf. Walking or performing physical activity.

Once your healthcare provider diagnoses your injury, they may recommend additional treatments such as:

, Soft cast or boot to keep your lower leg from moving.

Contents

How long does it take for a pulled muscle in the calf to heal?

Calf strains: Symptoms and Management How To Treat A Muscle Strain In Calf What is a calf strain and how can it happen? A strain refers to an injured muscle or tendon that has partially or completely torn. A calf injury is most often caused during sports where you need to push off with your foot quickly for a sudden burst of speed.

  • The sudden movement can stretch the muscle beyond its normal limits.
  • This can happen suddenly or over time.
  • Various sports such as rugby, football, tennis, baseball, soccer, dancing and even simple running are impacted by calf muscle strain injuries.
  • Calf strains are common muscle injuries that if not managed appropriately can result in re-injury and prolonged recovery.

The calf muscles: The “calf” refers to the muscles on the posterior aspect of the lower leg. It is composed of three muscles: the gastrocnemius, the soleus and the plantaris. • Gastrocnemius muscle : Main function is plantar flexion of the ankle joint in conjunction with the soleus and the plantaris which provides the propelling force seen when walking.

  • • Soleus muscle : Main function is stabilizing the tibia on the calcaneus limiting forward sway while helping the gastrocnemius with plantar flexion.
  • • Plantaris muscle : Acts with the gastrocnemius and the soleus as both a flexor of the knee and a plantar-flexor of the ankle.
  • These muscles come together to form the achilles tendon and all three muscles insert into the calcaneus.
  • How can a calf strain present?
  • Patients may feel pain depending on which muscle has being strained:
  • Gastrocnemius strain: Can present as a sudden sharp pain or tearing sensation at the back of the lower leg. Patients often report an audible or palpable “pop” in the medial aspect of the posterior calf and tenderness to touch at the point of injury. Swelling and bruising may appear within hours or days of the injury. During examination stretching of the muscle and resisted plantarflexion will reproduce pain.
  • Soleus strain: Tend to be less dramatic in clinical presentation and more subacute when compared to injuries of the gastrocnemius. This injury causes pain when activating the calf muscle. On examination stretching the Achilles tendon, walking on tip-toe or applying pressure at the calf muscle aggravates pain.
  • Plantaris strain: Injury to the plantaris muscle can present with similar clinical features as those of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscle. Depending on the extent of the injury, the individual may be able to continue exercising although they will have some discomfort and/or tightness during or after activity.
  1. Typical symptoms for all strains are stiffness, discoloration and bruising around the strained muscle.
  2. Grading of strains:
  3. Muscle strains are graded from I to III, with grade III being the most severe.
  • Grade I: Partial stretch or tearing of a few muscle fibers. The muscle is mildly tender and painful, but maintains its normal strength. Leg use is not limited, and walking is normal. Average time to return to sports activities is 10 – 12 days.
  • Grade II: Moderate stretch or tearing of muscle fibers. The muscle is tender with pain and loss of strength. Sometimes bruising will occur. Leg use is limited and limping when walking is common. Average time to return to sports activities is 16 – 21 days.
  • Grade III: Severe tear of the muscle fibers. This can include a complete muscle tear. Bruising and swelling develops within hours of injury. Sometimes a “dent” is noticeable beneath the skin where the muscle is torn. Leg use is extremely difficult and putting weight on the leg is very painful. On examination a positive Thomson’s test may reveal an Achilles tendon rupture. Average time to return to sports activities is up to 6 months if the injury requires surgery.

At the physician’s office: A doctor can diagnose a pulled calf muscle by carrying out a physical examination, during which they will check for swelling, bruising, and redness. They may also ask the person to describe any recent changes to their regular physical activity routine.

Many doctors use Ultrasound imaging to determine the extent of damage and X-rays to asses for fractures or calcifications. They may also use imaging techniques such as MRIs to gather soft tissue detail and assess the severity of the injury. What is the treatment? Treatment depends on the severity of the muscle strain.

The following treatments may provide symptom relief:

  • Ice and heat therapy: People can use a cold compress to reduce inflammation and relieve muscle pain during the first 2 days. After 2 or 3 days, you can try alternating cold with heat. (Do not go to sleep with a heating pad on your skin.)
  • Wraps and bandages: Wrapping the injured calf in an elastic bandage or compression sock can help prevent swelling and inflammation.
  • Elevation of the injured leg: Try to keep it above the level of your heart. This will help reduce swelling.
  • Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers: People can take a pain reliever, such as ibuprofen or naproxen to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
  • Physical Therapy/Exercise: Some patients respond well to certain exercises.The goals of physical therapy are to improve strength, function, and stability.
  • Surgery: Most calf strains will not require surgery and tend to recover well with physical therapy.
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Physical Therapy Exercises: Physical therapists treat people with calf strains by reducing pain, restoring muscle strength, restoring muscle flexibility, and increasing recovery speed. Some exercises that aim to strength these muscles are:

  • Chair stretches: Sitting in a stable chair, bend and straighten the knee of your affected leg.
  • Wall stretches: Face a wall and put your arms out so your hands are firmly against the wall at shoulder level. Straighten your affected leg with your heel pressed firmly into the ground. Then step your other leg forward so it’s at a 90-degree angle. Repeat the process as often as you feel comfortable throughout the day.
  • Floor stretches: Sit on the floor with your affected leg straight. Flex your foot and set your heel firmly into the floor. Gently press your toes towards you for 5 seconds in this position.
  • Standing stretches. Grip the back of a sturdy chair and lift yourself on the balls of your feet for 5 seconds. Patient can repeat this exercise up to twice a day.

What is the recovery and prognosis? Recovery and prognosis will depend on the extent of the injury. In the less severe cases it usually takes up to three days for a pulled calf muscle to start feeling better. In the most severe cases that don’t require surgery a full recovery may take up to six weeks.

In the case that the injury requires surgery the recovery period may extend up to six months to a full year. Most people who have a pulled calf muscle will not need surgery. Promt treatment is important for your overall recovery. While it may be difficult to rest your affected leg for a few days, moving around too soon can make the muscle strain worse.

There’s also a risk for a recurring calf muscle strain within one to two weeks of the initial injury. Allowing yourself enough recovery time is critical to your calf muscle treatment. Once you’ve had a pulled calf muscle, you’re at much greater risk for getting another strain of this type in the future.

  • Warming up for at least five minutes before exercise
  • Stretching your legs before exercising
  • Cooling down for five minutes after you work out
  • Stretching your muscles again for five minutes after you’ve cooled down

Author A hand fracture occurs when you break one (or several) of the 27 bones in your fingers, thumbs, or wrists. Early treatment can ensure proper treatment and healing. If you suspect a fracture, contact the team at the Orthopedic Center for Sports Medicine.

Calcific tendonitis of the shoulder is a common cause of aching pain that is made worse by shoulder activity. The pain often occurs at night and may persist for several months despite the lack of any specific injury or trauma. Having a cough every once in a while is typically no more than a minor inconvenience.

If your cough lasts for weeks without relief, you might have a chronic cough. Lifestyle medicine physician, Andrea Espinoza, MD, FCCP, at OCSM can help. If you suffer an injury while playing sports or participating in physical activity, sports medicine rehabilitation can speed up the healing process and lower your risk of future complications.

  1. While there are a number of causes for fingers getting stuck and not moving appropriately, one of the most common causes we see as orthopedic hand surgeons is a condition known as trigger finger (i.e.
  2. Inflammation of the flexor tendons).
  3. While there are a number of causes of thumb pain, one of the most common causes we see as orthopedic hand surgeons is thumb basal joint arthritis.

Thumb basal joint arthritis is when the cartilage becomes worn out at the base of the thumb, causing pain. : Calf strains: Symptoms and Management

How do you know if you pulled a muscle in your calf?

What does a torn calf muscle feel like? – Symptoms of a torn calf muscle can include:

No calf strength, including being unable to balance or bear weight on the injured leg. Snapping or popping sensation in your calf. Sudden pain in the back of your lower leg, like someone kicked your calf. Swelling and in your calf muscle. Visible indentation beneath the skin where the muscle is torn.

In very rare cases, torn calf muscle complications can include: Your healthcare provider will perform a physical exam and review your symptoms. They may palpate (press) on your calf muscles to check for areas of tenderness or swelling. Sometimes torn calf muscles look like other injuries in your lower leg, such as or a burst,

Ultrasound with Doppler : This type of uses sound waves to create pictures of soft tissue inside your body. It also tracks the way blood flows through your body. This scan allows your provider to check for muscle tears, as well as internal bleeding and blood clots. MRI: An shows detailed images of the soft tissues in your body. This test can help your provider see the difference between muscle injuries and problems with your tendons and ligaments.

After confirming you have a torn calf muscle, your healthcare provider may recommend a home treatment known as RICE:

Rest: Once you feel calf pain, stop doing physical activity and rest your leg. Don’t push through pain, which can make the problem worse. You might be required to use crutches or wear a boot for several days. Ice: Put an ice pack or cold compress on your calf muscles for 20 minutes every two hours. Don’t apply ice directly to your skin. Compression: Apply a compression wrap or sleeve to your calf. Compression helps reduce blood flow to the painful area and minimize swelling. Elevation: Lift your leg into an elevated position, preferably above the level of your heart. Support the entire length of your leg with pillows, blankets or cushions.

Until you receive clearance from your healthcare provider, do not:

Apply heat to the injured area. Massage your calf. Walk, exercise or perform physical activity.

You may also need to keep your injury immobilized and protected by wearing a soft or boot. Some people need or an assistive device to move around as their injury heals. After several weeks of RICE, your provider may recommend physical therapy. Therapy can help you regain strength and flexibility in your calf muscle.

Is walking good for calf strain?

After 3 days – As soon as you are able to put weight through the injured leg, start to get up and about more. Short walks are good for the healing muscle, but avoid long distances and standing for long periods. You may find it more comfortable in shoes with a thicker or higher heel to start with, as this will lessen the stretch on the calf.

Should I massage a strained calf?

Acute muscle strains – Massage should not be applied to recent muscle strains. During the first 24 to 72 hours following a calf strain applying massage will make your injury worse, increase bleeding and prevent healing. How long the acute stage lasts will depend on how bad your injury is,

Should I see a doctor for a strained calf?

– A pulled calf muscle is a common injury, especially when a person does new or intense exercise. In most cases, people can treat a pulled calf muscle at home with rest, cold and hot packs, compression, and elevation. A person may find over-the-counter pain medications helpful as well.

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Can a calf tear heal on its own?

Katie Baines – Senior Physiotherapist – Yes, a torn calf muscle can heal on its own. Healing time will depend on the severity of the injury and the correct rehabilitation process. However, seeing a physiotherapist can help in managing this injury successfully and avoiding prolonged pain and dysfunction.

What is the difference between a calf strain and a tear?

Sudden calf pain during sport is often due to a calf tear or pulled calf muscle. A calf tear is also known as a calf strain or tennis leg, which is common in active people, especially athletes. However, the cause of calf pain could be due to something else, including Achilles tendon tear, blood clot, blood vessel swelling (also called an aneurysm), or Baker’s cyst.

Will heating pad help calf strain?

Frequently Asked Questions: When Do You Ice And When Do You Heat? – Determining when to use ice or heat therapy can be complicated. To assist, we’ve answered below some of the most frequently asked questions about when to ice and when to heat acute injuries and chronic conditions.

Should I use ice or heat for back pain? Heat therapy is particularly helpful with chronic conditions, especially muscle stiffness and soreness. Localized stiffness may benefit from heating packs while regional stiffness and denser tissues may respond better to a warm bath. If the lower back pain is the result of a recent injury, such as a muscle strain, it’s best to follow the R.I.C.E.

method for the first few days then, after about 72 hours, transition to heat therapy. Should I use ice or heat for pulled muscles? A pulled muscle should first be treated using the R.I.C.E. method. During the first 72 hours, heat should be avoided to prevent increased swelling and inflammation.

  • After about 72 hours, heat can be incorporated into treatment to increase blood flow and aid the overall healing process.
  • Should I use ice or heat for swelling? After an acute injury, ice should be used to minimize swelling for the first two to three days.
  • After this period, heat can be used to increase blood flow and assist the natural healing process.

Applying heat too early may cause additional swelling by increasing blood flow to the injury. Should I treat a sprained ankle with ice or heat? A sprained ankle will require both ice and heat at different points in the recovery. Initially, treatment will focus on rest, ice, compression, and elevation.

  • After about 48 to 72 hours – or once the swelling has satisfactorily decreased – heat can then be used to increase blood flow to the injury and aid your recovery.
  • Should I use heat or ice for muscle spasms? Heat therapy increases blood flow and this improved circulation may help with muscular spasms throughout the body.

Massage and stretching may also alleviate pain and discomfort associated with a spasmodic muscle. Should I use ice or heat for neck pain? Many patients ask whether or not to use heat or ice for stiff neck muscles. Neck pain associated with chronic pain, general muscle soreness, or stiffness should be treated with heat therapy.

However, a new injury usually calls for the RICE method to be used for the first two to three days, and then individuals may transition to heat therapy. Should I use ice or heat for shoulder pain? For new or acute injuries, the RICE technique is recommended for the first 24-72 hours. Once swelling has subsided, heat therapy can be used to help increase blood flow to the area and aid recovery.

Heat therapy can also be used to help with the stiffness, aching, and general pain associated with a chronic condition, as needed. Should I use ice or heat for knee pain? The type of knee injury will help determine the proper ice or heat regimen moving forward.

  1. For new acute injuries, the RICE method should be used immediately following an injury, and then heat can be applied after two to three days to increase blood flow.
  2. For chronic injuries, pain, stiffness, and soreness without swelling, heat may be more appropriate.
  3. Heat therapy may help with arthritis, knee pain, and stiff joints by using heat packs, pads, and submerging the affected area in warm water.

In some cases, gel packs may be more effective than traditional heat packs, due to their ability to form around the joint and penetrate tissues.

Should I ice or heat a calf strain?

Acute injuries – First of all, do not use heat on acute injuries because that extra heat can increase inflammation and delay proper healing. When dealing with injuries, it’s best to predominantly choose ice if the injury is acute (less than 6 weeks old).

  1. The chill constricts blood vessels which numbs pain, relieves inflammation and limits bruising.
  2. If you’re sensitive to cold then ice may initially seem uncomfortable or even painful to apply.
  3. Heat can feel warm, cozy and be tempting to toss on an injury,” says primary care sports medicine physician Anne Rex, DO,

“But don’t be fooled! Ice wins to shut down swelling, inflammation and pain early on where heat may actually make an injury worse.” If you’re dealing with lingering injuries (older than 6 weeks) then it’s okay to use heat. The increased blood flow relaxes tight muscles and relieves aching joints.

Is Deep heat good for calf strain?

Calf Injury A Calf injury or strain is a tear of the muscle fibres of the muscles at the back of the lower leg and can range from mild to very severe. Calf injuries usually occur as a result of sudden pushing off movements, sudden changing of direction or from excessive over-stretching of the calf muscles during jumping.

  • Recommended rehab exercise: Treatment includes, rest, ice and compression during the acute stage followed by a full rehabilitation program consisting of stretching and strengthening exercises.
  • Deep Heat can be used to warm away pain and discomfort.
  • Estimated time of recovery: The calf muscle is often tender to touch at the point of injury and swelling and bruising may appear within hours or days.

Depending on the severity of the calf injury, the player may be able to continue playing although with some discomfort or tightness. Deep Heat is a great way to reduce pain and warm up the calf. A few weeks for a strain but a longer recovery period for a tear.

Should I stretch a pulled calf muscle?

Calf needs to heal first – Stretching this injured area will only cause more damage to the tissues and increase your recovery time. Your calf muscle needs time to heal before any extra force is applied to it. Never stretch when there is still pain or inflammation in your calf.

  • Once the pain and inflammation subside, rather than stretching, a safer option would be to start with gentle range of movement activities of your foot, ankle and knee.
  • For example, foot circles, moving your toes up and down, and bending and straightening your knee as pain allows.
  • These activities will get the movement going in your foot, ankle, and knee.

A crucial element for your recovery. In addition, it will help stimulate your circulation naturally in your calf without causing any significant strain or stress to the tissues.

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What is a Grade 1 calf strain?

How is a calf strain diagnosed? – It is important to rule out other differential diagnoses such as deep vein thrombosis, tendon ruptures, radiculopathy from the lumbars and chronic compartment syndrome. A calf strain generally ;

starts with a sudden onset. moderate to severe pain. pain located in the back of the lower leg. occasionally a popping sensation immediately preceding the pain. difficulty to walk or putting pressure through foot. marked tenderness around the site of pain. may have visible swelling and bruising

Diagnosis will often be made via palpation, noting any muscle damage, swelling and tenderness. ROM and strength testing can help differentiate the grade of the injury – Grade 1 calf strain (1-3 weeks). With a grade 1 strain, there will be tightness in the back of the lower limb and may cause a minor limp.

Awareness of calf discomfort and an inability to run or push off with any power or speed. Will commonly be mild pain and inflammation, may get some minor bruising. Pointing your toe or lifting your heel from the ground are likely to induce pain. – Grade 2 calf strain (4-8 weeks). With a grade 2 strain the limp will be much more noticeable and pain with walking will be present, with feeling of twinges or cramping feelings with activity.

Inflammation will be increased and bruising may pool around the ankle – Grade 3 calf strain (6 – 12 weeks). A grade 3 calf strain is a severe injury involving a complete tear to half or all of the calf muscle. Crutches or even a moon boot may be required to enable walking due to severe pain and weakness.

Can you make a calf strain worse?

Frequently Asked Questions –

  • What are the different grades of calf strains? Calf strains are described as grade I, grade II, and grade III. A grade I calf strain is the mildest calf strain. A grade III strain is severe.
  • How long does it take for a calf strain to heal? The time it will take for a calf strain to heal depends on the severity of the injury.
    • Grade I calf strains take a week to 10 days to heal.
    • Grade II calf strains take about four to six weeks to heal.
    • Grade III calf strains take around three months to heal.
  • Can I run with a calf strain? No. Running on an injured leg can worsen the injury. A calf strain needs rest to heal. Avoid running or engaging in other strenuous movements until you no longer feel pain. Your healthcare provider will let you know when you can start to run again after a calf strain.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Robinson DM, McInnis KC. Hamstring and calf injuries, In: Principles of Orthopedic Practice for Primary Care Providers, Springer, Cham; 2021.
  2. Hsu D, Chang KV. Gastrocnemius strain, StatPearls.

By Jonathan Cluett, MD Jonathan Cluett, MD, is board-certified in orthopedic surgery. He served as assistant team physician to Chivas USA (Major League Soccer) and the United States men’s and women’s national soccer teams. Thanks for your feedback!

How long does a calf sprain last?

Grade One – Grade one is the least serious of the three levels of calf strains. People who experience a grade one strain will feel some pain and sensitivity, and the muscle will probably feel a bit tight, but that’s about as bad as it gets, although they may not properly experience these symptoms until the following day.

  1. A calf strain is defined as a grade one if fewer than 25% of the muscle fibres have been affected, so most people will be able to continue their activity after a few minutes.
  2. Grade one calf strains will usually heal completely within 2-4 weeks, but there are a few things you can do to help speed up the process.

Start by applying ice-packs to the muscle for 15 minutes, 4 or 5 times a day. Resting and keeping the leg elevated are important at this stage of recovery. If you have a, that can also help reduce pain and speed up recovery time for all grades. After about 3 days, when you begin to feel more comfortable moving the muscle, you should do some very light stretches several times a day, gradually increasing the effort you are putting in to stretching.

What is the difference between a calf strain and a tear?

Skip to content Sudden calf pain during sport is often due to a calf tear or pulled calf muscle. A calf tear is also known as a calf strain or tennis leg, which is common in active people, especially athletes. However, the cause of calf pain could be due to something else, including Achilles tendon tear, blood clot, blood vessel swelling (also called an aneurysm), or Baker’s cyst.

Can a torn calf muscle heal itself?

Katie Baines – Senior Physiotherapist – Yes, a torn calf muscle can heal on its own. Healing time will depend on the severity of the injury and the correct rehabilitation process. However, seeing a physiotherapist can help in managing this injury successfully and avoiding prolonged pain and dysfunction.

What does a Grade 2 calf strain feel like?

Assessment –

  • Subjective assessment and thorough history should be taken at the initial assessment point
  • Objective assessment:
    • Observation of the foot and ankle in standing and supine
    • Ankle AROM
    • Ankle PROM
    • Palpation of the calf and replication of symptoms
    • Resisted strength testing of the foot and ankle complex
    • Thompson test : to rule out Achilles tendon rupture
    • Knee AROM and resisted testing
  • Imaging:
    • Ultrasound (US) is considered to be the gold standard. It can also be used to evaluate the degree and extent of the muscular lesion and to exclude other pathologies such as ruptured Baker’s cyst and deep vein thrombosis.

A calf muscle tear is a most common in sports which require quick acceleration and changes in direction such as running, volleyball and tennis, Muscle strains are graded I to III. The more severe the strain, the longer the recovery time. Typical symptoms are stiffness, discoloration and bruising around the strained muscle.

Grade I: A first degree or mild injury is the most common and the most minor. A sharp pain is felt at the time of injury or pain with activity. There is little to no loss of strength and range-of-motion with muscle fibre disruption of less than 10%. A return to sport would be expected within 1 to 3 weeks.

Grade II: A second degree or moderate injury is a partial muscle tear halting activity. There is a clear loss of strength and range of motion. with marked pain, swelling and often bruising. Muscle fibre disruption between 10 and 50%.3 to 6 weeks is a usual recovery period for a return to full activity.

  • Grade III: A third degree or severe injury results in a complete rupture of the muscle and is often concomitant with a hematoma.
  • Pain, swelling, tenderness and bruising are usually present.
  • Recovery is highly individualised and can take months before you are fully recovered for a full return to activity.

Rupture: is usually associated with the presence of fluid collection between the soleus muscle and the medial head of the gastrocnemius. This can occur with or without haemorrhage. The measurement of fluid collection informs about the extent of the lesion.