By Lindon Beh, Physiotherapist
what should you do for a calf muscle strain?
A calf strain is an injury characterised by tearing of one or more of the calf muscles and typically causes pain in the back of the lower leg. Pulled calf muscles can be very painful, and limit your ability to walk, run and play sport.
Calf Muscle Anatomy
The calf comprises of 2 major muscles one of which originates from above the knee joint (gastrocnemius) the other from below the knee joint (soleus). Both insert into the heel bone via the Achilles tendon. The muscle’s main roles are plantar flexion (pointing your toes) and to assist in bending the knee.
Calf strains range from grade 1 to grade 3, majority are grade 1-2
- Grade 1 (mild) – a small number of torn calf muscle fibres, resulting in some pain, but allowing full function
- Grade 2 (moderate) – a significant number of torn calf muscle fibres, with moderate loss of function
- Grade 3 (severe)– all muscle fibres are ruptured resulting in major loss of function
Risk of Calf Muscle Tears or Calf Muscle Strains.
Calf strains commonly occur due to a sudden contraction of the calf muscle. This frequently occurs when a patient attempts to accelerate from a stationary position, when jumping or when lunging forward. Calf strains are also commonly seen in running sports such as football and athletics. Occasionally they occur due to gradual wear and tear associated with overuse. This may be due to activities such as repetitive jumping, distance running or walking excessively (especially up hills or on uneven surfaces). The most common place for this to occur is at the musculo-tendinous junction (MTJ) of the Gastrocnemius; roughly halfway between the knee and the heel.
What do you feel when you strain your calf muscle?
A sudden sharp pain or pulling sensation in the calf muscle can be felt at the time of injury. In minor strains, pain may be minimal allowing for continued activity. In more severe cases, patients may experience severe pain, muscle spasm, weakness, and the inability to continue activity. A severe calf strain may result in the inability to walk without a limp or weight bear correctly on the affected leg. Swelling, tenderness and bruising may also be present. In cases of a grade 3 tear a visible deformity in the muscle may be evident.
How to prevent torn calf muscle strains?
* Keeping calf muscles strong so they can absorb the energy of sudden physical stress
* Dynamic stretching of calf muscles before physical activity, i.e. calf rises.
* Practicing proper technique for exercise and sporting activities
* Undertaking fitness programs to develop strength, balance, coordination and flexibility
* Gradually increasing the intensity and duration of training
* Allowing adequate recovery time between workouts and or training sessions.
* Wearing correctly fitted footwear.
* Always checking the sporting environment for hazards.
* Drinking plenty of water before, during and after physical activity
How to best manage a torn calf muscle strain?
The immediate treatment of any soft tissue injury is the RICE protocol – rest, ice, compression and elevation. RICE should be followed for the initial 48–72 hours post injury. The aim is to reduce the bleeding and damage to the muscle tissue. The leg should be rested in an elevated position with an ice pack applied for 20 minutes every two hours (never apply ice directly to the skin to avoid ice burn). A correctly sized compression bandage can also be applied to help limit bleeding and swelling in the injured area.
The No HARM protocol should also be applied which includes no heat, alcohol, running or activity, and no massage. This will help ensure decreased bleeding and swelling in the injured area.
How can physiotherapy treatment help a calf muscle strain?
As pain decreases, gentle exercise and stretching can usually begin in addition to treatment recommended by a medical professional. Rehabilitation should be conducted under the supervision of a professional due to the risk of injury recurrence.
If you have strained your calf muscle, you need to see a physiotherapist in order to get the best outcome, and limit you chance of recurrence. To make an appointment with our excellent sports physios, please call your nearest clinic, or book online. We look forward to helping you soon!
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