calf strain treatment

Over pronation. In many cases, it is possible to hear the muscle “pop” or tear.5, A severe calf strain or torn calf will also feel very tender to touch. Medial gastrocnemius strain – causes. In a grade 2 strain, recovery can take up to 5-8 weeks, and for grade 3 strains can take up to 3-4 months.Rest: to prevent further damage.In the sub acute (3 days to 3 weeks) and the chronic stage (3 weeks to 2 years) it is important that training should be adapted to avoid jumping or any exercises that put excessive strain on the gastrocnemius or soleus. Apply to your sore calf muscle for 20 minutes to. Why Is My Leg Cramping? Repeat 3 times a day. Calf Strain Treatment The initial treatment for a calf strain is R.I.C.E. 3. Treatment:It is important not to ignore a calf strain, as this could cause further damage and lead to a grade 3 strain. The calf muscle is actually composed of up to 9 separate muscles, any of which can be injured individually or together. Night leg cramps (also called nocturnal leg cramps or “charley horses”) mostly happen in the calf muscles. According to Dr. Anthony Saglimbeni, the first 24-72 hours are critical in initial treatment to ensure a speedy recovery. WebMD. 2. quickly crossing the road), when jumping, hopping or when lunging forwards such as while playing tennis, badminton or squash. According to doctors from Mayo Clinic, usually the cause for night leg cramps cannot be identified and is often unknown. The two muscles most commonly affected by a calf strain are the gastrocnemius and the soleus. Full recovery from a serious calf muscle strain or tear may take many weeks or even months. Make circles with your foot 20 times. Medial gastrocnemius strain treatment & management. Calf muscle strain, and more specifically a medial gastrocnemius strain, is a common cause of acute onset calf pain. These are involuntary contractions or spasms of muscles in your legs usually at night during periods of inactivity that causes the calf muscles to feel tight and painful. Calf strains commonly occur due to a sudden contraction of the calf muscle (often when it is in a position of stretch). When applying the ice pack, it’s important to remember not to place ice directly on the skin. Medscape. If you develop calf pain that won't go away after a few days, then schedule an appointment with your family physician. TRITEMP™ is a commercial product, please fill in the details below to receive a quotation. Insufficient warm up or cool down is a common cause of calf strain. CALF STRAIN. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In fact, calf strains are sometimes referred to as “Tennis Leg.” Most cases of pulled, torn, or strained calves occur in the gastrocnemius which joins the ankle and knee. Activation exercises. Elevation: Gravity will assist lymphatic drainage and aid venous return. Treatment for a pulled calf muscle aims to prevent further injury, aid healing and ensure full recovery to prevent long-term problems. The Muscle, Ligaments and Tendons Journal says that a physical examination 3-5 days after the injury can help to predict how long the calf muscle injury will take to heal.11, Dr. Tero Järvinen from the University of Tampere provides some information on possible timeframes for calf injuries to heal:11. It should not be administered during the acute stage. The torn calf muscle may also show signs of bruising in your lower leg behind the knee. A calf strain is an injury to the muscles in the calf area (the back of the lower leg below the knee). There, you can also find out about the best essential oils for natural relief from muscle pain. principles are the most effective method to help heal a gastrocnemius muscle tear.12. J Can Chiropr Assoc. Calf strains can occur during hi-speed motions like running and jumping, or Read Full Post Unable to contract the muscle, as the muscle has ruptured completely. Wrap the ice pack in a thin towel and hold on the calf area at the back of your leg. At Healthy and Natural World, our mission is to empower people to take control of their own health by providing comprehensive, practical and well researched information. The calf is the group of muscles in your lower leg. Pulling, straining, or tearing your calf muscle can leave you in a lot of pain and make walking difficult. The herb arnica is well known as a treatment for bruising and, in the same way, that it can reduce symptoms of bruising, it can also help to relieve symptoms of a calf strain. 3. It may also be impossible to flex your foot, and pushing off from your foot when walking could be very painful. Usually there is tenderness on the calf muscle; especially on … For more information, please read my article on how to get rid of muscle soreness. When exercising your calf muscles after an injury, it’s important to make sure that you are always pain-free. If your calf muscle is free of pain, you can now begin some gentle stretching to help boost recovery and rehabilitate your lower leg muscles. A sudden sharp pain at the back of . Your calf muscles are located at the back of your lower leg and are needed to move your legs when walking, running, or jumping. Insufficient warm up or cool down is a common cause of calf strain. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), calf strains happen when the muscle is overstretched. We will learn 12 of the best calf exercises and discuss tips to prevent calf strains. For immediate self-care of a sprain, try the R.I.C.E. The muscle feels tight and painful on resisted plantar flexion (pointing the toe). 2. Complete inability to bear weight on the injured limb is the telling sign. The amount of swelling or local bleeding into the muscle (from torn blood vessels) can best be managed early by … A few days after the injury, bruising will appear below where the partial tear has occurred. muscle from the top of the Achilles tendon. … Pain is felt when walking or weight bearing. The muscles can feel tight and ache when stretched. You might even hear your calf muscle “pop” when it tears. You hear the calf muscle pop at the time of injury. Use an ice pack or slush bath of ice and water for 15 to 20 minutes each time and repeat every two to three hours while you're awake for the first few days after the injury. Pain will be significant and will cause weakness in the lower leg muscle and make walking difficult. Injury to a calf muscle can range from a strain or pull that you can treat at home to a more serious tear that may need a doctor's care. 3. A calf strain occurs when the calf muscles are over stretched. Treatment for this condition typically mirrors that of any muscle strain injury, including: The R.I.C.E. A physiotherapist or sportsmassage therapist or sports therapist can advise when exercise should be resumed and what exercise would be appropriate. Pain/discomfort can be felt after the activity, and can last from between 2-5 days. Continue the calf muscle strengthening exercise until the muscles in the back of your leg have fully recovered. Even if you're seeking medical help, ice the area immediately. Repeat 4 times to strengthen your calf muscles. A pulled calf muscle is a common injury, especially when a person does new or intense exercise. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. Calf Strains Here’s What Causes Annoying Calf Cramps Mid-Run. Your calf muscle is actually two muscles, the gastrocnemius muscle and the soleus muscle. Wrap the rice-filled heating pad in a warm moist towel. Strapping provides support. Soleus strain treatment depends on the severity of the injury. This stretches the muscle tissue beyond their limit, resulting in weakness and bleeding in the muscle.7, Dr. William C. Shiel on eMedicineHealth says that sudden acceleration or deceleration often causes muscle injuries to the calves. Calf muscle injuries can happen when straining tight leg muscles by accelerating fast or suddenly changing direction. 2. To help quickly heal a pulled or strained calf muscle, it’s important to treat the injury with ice and compression as soon as possible. There are three different degrees of calf strain: grade 1 is a mild strain, grade 2 moderate to severe pain and a grade 3 strain is a complete rupture. Medscape. If you have a bad injury to your calf muscle, getting prompt diagnosis and starting a planned course of treatment is the best way to recover quickly. PRICE is an acronym for Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Snapping Hip Syndrome symptoms and treatment, Ankle Support, Plantar Fasciitis & Foot Braces. Some medical professionals suspect that this is because calf strains create scar tissue or muscular adhesions, which can predispose the area to being injured again—or prevent healing in the first place. Muscle Strain Treatment Self-Care at Home. Normally, calf strains are not extremely painful. Sprains, strains, and other soft tissue injuries. This helps to reduce swelling and pain in the muscles in the back of your leg in the first 72 hours. Gently lean your chest into the wall by bending your uninjured leg. In a retrospective look at 720 patients with calf strains over 12 years, those who began treatment within the first 48 hours after injury recovered, on average, in nine days – faster than those who delayed treatment 11. Ice. Compress the muscle with an elastic bandage. A physiotherapist or sports massage therapist can recommend strengthening, flexibility and proprioceptive exercises in the sub-acute and the chronic stage of recovery. The severity of these tears depends on the depth and suddenness of the stretch. In some cases, the tear is so severe that it causes a ruptured calf muscle. The intensity of the exercises should be increased gradually and in a controlled way. It is therefore, worth consulting a podiatrist, who can perform gait analysis and advise on appropriate foot wear.Kinesiology taping aids recovery by assisting with lymphatic drainage, and the repair of damaged tissues. Rest. "Famous" Physical Therapists Bob Schrupp and Brad Heineck present the absolute best self-treatment one can do for a calf tear, strain, or pain. If you have suffered a grade 2 or grade 3 calf muscle tear, you should also consult with your doctor to get the extent of the injury assessed properly. Required fields are marked *. Place in the microwave and heat on full power for 1-2 minutes. Move your foot up and down 20 times. Overstretching the calves is usually the most common cause of straining, pulling, or tearing the muscle fibers in your lower leg. There are effective calf strain exercises to treat the pain, swelling, and mobility issues often seen with trauma or injury to the calf muscles. What Can Help? A severe tear in the calf muscle may even prevent you from walking at all.1, All types of calf muscle injuries are graded according to their severity. It commonly occur in men aged between 30 and 50. Muscle strain. DrugsCom. Medial gastrocnemius strain. You should feel the calf muscle on your extended leg stretch. Know its causes, symptoms, treatment, recovery. In severe cases surgery might be performed.A physiotherapist might prescribe ultrasound treatment, sound waves; which speeds up the repair process, by breaking down tissues and stretching them. Grade 1 calf muscle injury. A sudden change of direction, explosive movement or increase in speed can result in the calf muscles becoming torn or strained. Muscle strain. They are responsible for extending the foot (plantar flexion) and bending the leg at the knee joint. Treatment of calf strains for runners. However, the length of time a torn calf takes to heal also depends on the effectiveness of the treatment immediately after injuring the calves. The soleus is a much smaller calf muscle and is located under the gastrocnemius. Rest the injured muscle (take a temporary break from sports activities). We use cookies to improve your experience on our website. Resistance bands are good for gentle stretching. In addition, you can take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin and other brand names) or aspirin, to ease pain and relieve swelling. The symptoms of mild (grade 1) calf strains include a twinge of pain in the back of the lower leg, with tightness and discomfort for 2 to 5 days afterward. How to tell if it's a strain or something else. approach — rest, ice, compression, elevation: 1. Wearing inappropriate footwear. (rest, ice, compression, elevation) , used in the first three to five days after the injury: est : It's important to rest your injured muscle, which means avoiding any activities that cause pain, as well as … After initial concerns it was an Achilles injury, the Warriors confirmed the diagnosis was a calf strain. You will also learn about the best treatment methods for calf muscle injuries and how long they take to heal. Calf Strain Treatment. Night leg cramps. Here we explain the symptoms, causes, treatment and exercises for recovering from a torn calf muscle. How to use PRICE method to treat calf muscle tear: To help speed up recovery time, you should start using the PRICE method as soon as possible after a calf muscle tear injury. They say that generally nocturnal leg cramps are related to muscle fatigue and nerve problems, and that the risk increases with age, when a woman is pregnant or with several health conditions such as kidney failure and diabetes.16 Doctors from WebMD mention several triggers that can cause night calf muscle cramps, such as over exercising the calf muscles, poor blood circulation in the legs, dehydration, magnesium or potassium deficiency, not stretching enough, and side effects of some medications.17. These are designed to keep the muscles firing and toned. This will cause sudden pain in the back of the leg when the calf muscle tears completely. The most severe kind of calf muscle injury is grade 3. Conversely, a calf tear is when the tendon behind the calf muscle tears. Pain on resisted plantar flexion (pointed toe) or when standing on pointed toes. Radiol Case Rep. 2017 Mar; 12(1): 120–123. Doctors from the National Health Service recommend the following calf exercises to help improve flexibility in your calves.7, Exercise 2 for recovering calf muscle tear. Other symptoms of a muscle tear in the calf could also feel like sharp pain behind the knee as you walk or put pressure on the leg. Depending on the extent of strain in the calf muscles, you may have to apply the ice pack daily for the first few days to help control pain, swelling, and inflammation. Avoid activities that cause pain, swelling or discomfort. Medscape. Rest. Dr. Carol DerSarkissian on WebMD says that the gastrocnemius is a diamond shape muscle that forms the bulge at the back of your leg. Calf strains rarely require surgery, but is carried out in extreme cases. Effective Treatments for Pulled, Strained or Torn Calf Muscle was last modified: June 22nd, 2018 by Jenny Hills, Nutritionist and Medical Writer, Your email address will not be published. Pulled calf muscle treatment may include: Rest: It is really important to rest for a few days after a pulled calf muscle to prevent further injury. 2013 Oct-Dec; 3(4): 337–345. Hold the back of a chair and gently rise up on your toes. A few days after the injury, bruising will appear below where the rupture has occurred. An introduction to calf strain. These 3 muscles are referred to as ‘the triceps surae’, and they attach to the Achilles tendon. In most cases, people can treat a pulled calf muscle at … To prevent bad calf muscle strains and tears, it is very important to warm up before taking part in strenuous activity. To do the following exercises, you should sit on a chair. You can feel your calf stretching if you outstretch your leg and point your toes to the floor. J Am Acad Orthop Surg.1999 Jul-Aug;7(4):262-9. It can also help alleviate pain. Physiotherapist Dr. Alex Petruska from the Boston Sports Medicine & Research Institute says that calf strains are common sports injuries in people aged between 30 and 45 year old.4, Dr. Anthony Saglimbeni on Medscape also says that not warming up properly can cause mild to severe calf injuries. With traditional treatment, this injury can leave you sidelined anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the severity. Your email address will not be published. According to the journal Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine, injuries to the calves are very common among sports people. Ice bands are an effective way of applying ice therapy. The soleus sits deep to the gastrocnemius, with the plantaris muscle and part of its tendon located between these two muscles. Calf strain. According to the Boston Sports Medicine & Research Institute, the grades of calf strains are as follows:4. Even if you're seeking medical help, ice the area immediately. In particular the hip and gluteal muscles, important for later in the Calf strain rehabilitation program. These calf muscles are called the gastrocnemius and soleus. The calf muscle is found at the back of the lower leg and is comprised of three muscles: the plantaris, the gastrocnemius and the soleus. The Achilles tendon attaches to the heel bone (the calcaneus). This can result in a partial or complete tear of the calves and cause muscle weakness, swelling, and inflammation.3. Severe (grade 3) strains are marked by immediate excruciating pain, usually at the V in the calf muscles, along with an inability to contract the muscles. approach — rest, ice, compression, elevation: 1. Where a hematoma is present, its removal as quickly as possible is essential, otherwise complications may occur such as myositis ossificans. There are 2 muscles that make up the calves in the back of your lower leg. He will receive an MRI on Thursday morning to discover the severity of the strain. A second or third-degree calf injury will also cause swelling which causes a bulge in the back of the lower leg.6. Mild sprains can be treated at home, while more serious strains require medical attention. Home remedies for muscle strain. A lump of muscle tissue can be felt where the tear has occurred. Compression. INJURY . Ride on stationary bicycle for 10 minutes with no resistance. Topic Overview. As the pulled calf muscle heals, a warm heating pad, exercises, and stretching can all help to speed up the healing process. This kind of bad calf muscle injury usually results in swelling, bruising, and a lot of pain. You should only start using heat to treat the muscle strain in your calf once the swelling has stopped. The function of your calf muscles is to provide mobility to your legs and enable you to freely walk, run, or jump. You should also have an adequate warm-up routine before exercising or running to help avoid injury to your calves.14. Straining, pulling, or tearing a calf muscle can feel like something has hit the back of your leg with force. This is because cold and unstretched muscles are more prone to snapping or tearing. The most effective home treatments for pulled, strained, or torn calf muscles are plenty of rest and avoiding straining the muscle more. AAOS. In a Grade 3 degree strain: (a complete rupture). In cases of grade 2 and grade 3 calf muscle tears, recovery time is decreased by keeping weight off the injured leg as much as possible. In a complete rupture the doctor might prescribe a cast to provide stability. According to doctors from the Boston Sports Medicine & Research Institute, you should not stretch the calf muscles in the first three weeks of recovery. You should increase the length of time you hold your position by 5 seconds every week. Treating a Calf Strain Immediately After Injury Rest your leg by keeping off your feet as often as you … Compression: to reduce swelling and restrict movement. A doctor or physiotherapist might recommend an MRI scan to assess the extent of rupture. Causes: A calf strain occurs when the calf muscles are over stretched. The pain of a calf strain is often described as a sudden sharp or tearing sensation. By Cathy Fieseler A calf strain is an injury to the muscles in the calf area (the back of the lower leg below the knee). BostonSportsMedicine. The symptoms of night leg cramps may last from a few seconds up to a few minutes. the leg when running, sprinting or lunging is how the injury presents and occurs. This is how to make your own heating pad at home: In some cases of strained calf muscle injuries, alternating between hot and cold treatments can help the damaged muscle recover quicker. The calf should be rested in an elevated position with ice applied (but not directly to the skin) for twenty minutes every two hours, if practical. Elevate the injured leg. Stand facing a wall and put your hands on that wall at shoulder level. You only have a grade 1 calf muscle injury but the pulled calf muscle symptoms don’t improve within 48 hours of using PRICE methods. Recommended conservative management includes RICE, injection of local anesthetic and cortisone in and around the area and graded and active recovery treatment. eMedicineHealth. A partial tear of the calf muscle results in a moderate, or grade 2 calf muscle injury. Therefore, if you suffer a calf injury, doctors from Harvard Medical say that you should visit your doctor promptly in the following circumstances:15, Article Sources But don't avoid all physical activity. Repeat this exercise several times a day and continue until your calf has healed properly. 4. However, bad calf strains can happen even in trained athletes if there is a lot of force on the lower leg muscle.9. In this article, you will find out what can cause you to strain, pull, or tear your calf muscle. It may take weeks or months for a severe calf muscle injury to completely heal. A grade 1 injury to your calf is usually referred to as a “pulled calf.” This is a fairly minor injury with only light stretching and tearing of the calf muscle fibers. A grade 1 calf muscle injury will take between one and 3 weeks to heal. Now that you understand what calf strains are all about, let’s look at what you can do in ways of treatment. Doctors from the National Health Service (NHS) say that calf strains are commonly caused by putting too much force on the calf muscles. Pulling or tearing a calf muscle can cause a sudden sharp pain in the back of your leg. This exercise to speed up recovery of a torn calf muscle can be performed when you can stand on your toes with no pain. Muscle strain. Schedule an appointment with your doctor. Achilles tendonitis. Picture of the calf muscle. Effective Treatments for Pulled, Strained or Torn Calf Muscle, Jenny Hills, Nutritionist and Medical Writer. For immediate self-care of a muscle strain, try the R.I.C.E. Depending on the severity of the calf tear, the injury could take up to 6 weeks to heal. such as in a complete rupture. In my article about nighttime leg cramps you can find how to deal with calf muscle cramps when they happen and how to prevent muscle cramps at night. Calf strains occur when the calf muscle is stretched beyond its normal limits and tears as a result. The earlier the treatment, the better the outcome. During this time, you should use ice and compression to reduce swelling and bleeding in the calf tear. The calf muscles might also feel sore after the cramp goes away. Massage can help aid recovery, and improve joint mobility and range of movement. Mayo Clinic. By browsing this website, you agree to our use of cookies. Climbing or running up hills. Muscles Ligaments Tendons J. Ask the Doctor: Calf Pain When Running Fast. Tie a knot in the sock, making sure that there is still some flexibility in the sock. The best way to recover from a torn calf muscle is by protection, rest, ice, compression, and elevation (PRICE). Bruising and swelling can appear later. For injury prevention, it is essential that a warm up and cool down forms part of an exercise programme (10-20 minutes, depending on the duration of the programme). After two or three weeks of applying ice and heat treatments, you can start to use exercises for calf muscle strain. method: This stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Ice. This can help strained calf muscle injuries heal faster.10. If there is any underlying medical condition, such as a heart condition, it is important to seek medical advice before receiving massage. Repeat 3 times a day. All of these injuries to your calves can cause varying degrees of pain and damage to your lower leg muscles. Just after a calf muscle injury, the best treatment is to ice the back of your leg to prevent further swelling. Calf strain advice. 2013 Dec; 57(4): 327–333. Upper calf strains and lower calf strains may also happen if you quickly stop and pivot or turn direction.8, There are also a number of factors that can increase your risk of suffering from a mild to severe calf strain. Pain is felt immediately, and can feel like a burning or stabbing sensation. Here are some simple calf injury exercises to increase your range of motion (ROM). You have difficulty walking or putting any weight on your leg. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat 4 times to help your calf fully recover quickly. A calf strain is a tear to one or more of the muscles at the back of the lower leg. It may also be necessary to walk with crutches or have an ankle brace fitted to prevent accidentally straining the calf muscle again and hindering healing time. A calf muscle strain occurs when the muscle fibers in the calf tear either partially or … Copyright Vivomed Ltd. All rights Reserved. According to the journal Radiology Case Reports, people who strain or tear a calf muscle have the sensation of something snapping in their mid-calf. Case Rep. 2017 Mar ; 12 ( 1 ): 327–333 an injury completely. Gluteal muscles, any of which can be caused by overuse,,... A result of these muscles being torn or pulled when exercising your calf muscles are called gastrocnemius! Extended leg stretch how the injury, bruising, and website in browser! Or discomfort and pushing off suddenly during a sprint or jump read my on... Pop at the top injury presents and occurs of pain home, while more serious strains medical. Local anesthetic and cortisone in and around the area immediately in this article, you should replace ice. Injury usually results in mild pain should heal in 7 to 10 days muscle pop at the time of.. Jun ; 2 ( 2 ): 120–123 doctor or physiotherapist might recommend an MRI on Thursday to! That you are always pain-free they attach to the calves and cause muscle weakness, swelling discomfort... Heat therapy can be injured individually or together standing on pointed toes between these two,... Cause a sudden, sharp pain in the muscles in your calf muscle is a lot of force the! Graded and active recovery treatment of time you hold your position by 5 every. Sub-Acute and the soleus muscle best treatment methods for calf muscle name,,..., any of which can be taken to aid pain relief Boston sports Medicine & Research,. Pull, or tearing sensation more information, please read my article how... You follow the RICE rule: 1 most commonly affected by a of. Pain of a calf tear is when the tendon behind the knee joint ( pointed toe ) specifically medial... The treatment, Ankle Support, plantar Fasciitis & foot Braces go away after a calf is. Are critical in initial treatment for a severe calf muscle on your toes with no.... The plantaris muscle and is often described as a result of internal bleeding and and. Underlying medical condition, it is in a moderate, or tearing a calf tear is when the behind! Serious calf muscle is stretched, small micro tears occur in men aged between 30 and 50 a! To provide stability otherwise complications may occur such as while playing tennis, badminton or.... Chair and gently rise up on your extended leg stretch snapping hip Syndrome symptoms and treatment, recovery it! Muscle ( often when it is important to warm up or cool down is a tear to or! Plantaris muscle and is often unknown triceps surae ’, and elevation several times a day and continue until... Exercises in the sock, making sure that you are always pain-free or months for pulled! Are designed to keep the muscles at the back of the lower leg behind the knee joint physiotherapist or therapist. Annoying calf cramps Mid-Run Achilles tendon.1 while more serious strains require medical attention pointed toe ) the difference between strained! Pain in the calf muscle can cause you to strain, or torn muscle. Is R.I.C.E tendon attaches to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons ( AAOS ), when jumping calf strain treatment or... And put your hands on that wall at shoulder level speed can result in the calf is the sign! Below to receive a quotation increase your range of motion ( ROM ) ):262-9 will receive MRI. An acronym for Protection, rest, ice, compression, elevation: 1 a knot in sub-acute! A lump of muscle tissue can be performed when you can also find out can..., is a common muscle injury to your Achilles tendon.1 like something has hit the back of your muscle... Wall and put your hands on that wall at shoulder level sports activities ) just after a few days the... Get overstretched tendonitis is caused by a sudden contraction of the leg at the bottom and join to legs. Is in a grade 1 ) that results in mild pain should calf strain treatment... Let ’ s important to seek medical advice before receiving massage of can! Increase in speed can result in a complete rupture ) charley horses ). In strenuous activity and can feel your calf stretching if you develop calf.! ( also called nocturnal leg cramps may last from a serious calf muscle is composed... Be visible signs of inflammation and it may also show signs of bruising in calf... Grade 2 calf muscle is stretched, small micro tears occur in the muscle... Toe ) Canadian Chiropractic Association, the best calf exercises and discuss tips to further... Medical Writer sure that you understand what calf strains happen when straining tight leg muscles by Fast. Will cause a sudden sharp pain in the back of your lower leg, as the muscle strain, doctor. Also find out what can cause a sudden sharp pain in the first 24-72 are. You 're seeking medical help, ice, compression, and a lot of pain any weight on your leg!, injuries to your calves can cause varying degrees of pain and make walking difficult acute stage ensure. Facing a wall and put your hands on that wall at shoulder level muscles firing toned. Also called nocturnal leg cramps or “ charley horses calf strain treatment ) mostly happen in back... To four times daily helps to reduce swelling and bleeding in the calf injury... The recovering calf muscle.4 join to your calves.14 of local anesthetic and cortisone in and around the area.. Aid pain relief and around the area immediately the telling sign crossing the road ), when jumping, or!, making sure that you are always pain-free muscle results in a grade 1 recovery... A gastrocnemius muscle and make walking difficult the calves is usually leg tenderness in the lower leg.6 initial for... Excruciating pain whenever you stand on your toes to the lower leg your family physician of! And relieve pain the details below to receive a quotation therapy can be applied an with! Applying a thin towel and hold on the depth and suddenness of the lower leg it. Of over use physiotherapist might recommend an MRI on Thursday morning to discover the severity helps. Icing the muscle more to four times daily helps to reduce swelling and in! Or increase in speed calf strain treatment result in the back of the lower leg the. It take before you can feel tight and painful on resisted plantar )... Feel sore after the injury stretched, small micro tears occur in men aged between 30 50..., most often associated with sports.It occurs when the tendon behind the calf muscle continue building strength flexibility... General term that can refer to any degree of damage to the gastrocnemius soleus. Tears completely make up the calves taper at the back of the strain minutes to due to a sudden sharp. Fully recovered to use exercises for recovering from a serious calf muscle injury will learn. Syndrome symptoms and treatment, the grades of calf strain rehabilitation program out what can cause to! Area at the top for night leg cramps may last from between 2-5 days ice and heat,! Next time I comment unable to contract the muscle more eMedicineHealth says that is! At home, while more serious calf strain treatment require medical attention about the best essential oils for natural from... The pain of a calf strain occurs as a heart condition, it ’ s important to warm or! A quotation actually composed of up to 6 weeks to heal tritemp™ is a common cause of acute calf. In swelling, stiffness and relieve pain minor calf injury exercises to increase your of. Your calves.14 or lunging is how the injury, especially when a person does or. Has stopped advice before receiving massage and soleus person does new or exercise. Cause a dull pain in the back of the lower leg below the knee bicycle 10. As while playing tennis, badminton or squash simple calf injury ( grade 1 ):.... Run, or tearing sensation of being hit on the injured limb is the sign... Bruising in your lower leg gastrocnemius strain, try the R.I.C.E according to the journal Current Reviews Musculoskeletal... Even hear your calf muscles are more prone to snapping or tearing exercise should be,... A sports or exercise activity when pushing off suddenly during a sports or exercise activity pushing... Horses ” ) mostly happen in the muscles in the sub-acute stage ( 3days – 3 weeks ) therapy! Feel sore after the injury, the grades of calf strain can leave person... An injury, bruising will appear below where the tear has occurred even months on., calf strains are as follows:4 rest the injured muscle ( often when it tears be impossible to flex foot! Often described as a result of these injuries to your lower leg that forms the at... Heel bone ( the calcaneus ) strain can leave you in a way! Badminton or squash to help heal a gastrocnemius muscle and make walking difficult do in ways of.! Cause varying degrees of pain and damage to the calves are 2 muscles that make up the calves and muscle. Can resume physical activity after a calf muscle “ pop ” when it very... Be visible signs of inflammation and it may take many weeks or even months area ( back... The intensity of the exercises should be increased gradually and in a partial complete...: a calf strain is caused by a sudden, abrupt movement as... A sprain, try the R.I.C.E unless the injury, bruising, and pushing off from your foot when could... Sudden pain in the recovering calf muscle.4 and avoiding straining the muscle strain in your lower leg muscle the...

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