what is the best treatment for a strained calf muscle

What is the best treatment for a ruptured calf muscle?

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.

What is the recovery time for a calf injury?

Feb 28, 2022 · Calf strain treatment Immediate first aid is to apply the P.R.I.C.E. principles of protection rest, ice, compression, and elevation as soon as possible. Start now on our full calf strain rehabilitation program. Cold Therapy Use a cold therapy and compression wrap to minimise any bleeding within the muscle.

How do you treat an injured calf muscle?

Jun 22, 2018 · First of all, you should protect the strained calf muscle from further injury. Rest. Avoid any activities that could strain the muscle further and cause pain. Ice. Apply an ice pack to the calf muscle for up to 20 minutes every hour to reduce inflammation and help get rid of the pain. Compression.

How to diagnose and treat calf strains and tears?

Jul 20, 2016 · The best way to recover from a torn calf muscle is by protection, rest, ice, compression, and elevation (PRICE). If treated properly, it can take up to three weeks to heal Grade 1 calf pulls, four to six weeks to heal Grade 2 muscle strains, and three to four months to heal Grade 3 tears. Though this type of injury can heal on its own, it’s important to get a …

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

In total, it usually takes up to three days for a pulled calf muscle to start feeling better. But a full recovery may take up to six weeks, according to Oxford University Hospitals. Severe swelling can make any pain and discomfort last a bit longer. Walking on recovering calf muscles can also increase recovery time.

Should you massage a calf strain?

Getting a massage is also very beneficial right after the initial injury (just not at the site of the tear!) Massage can lengthen the entire posterior chain while increasing circulation around the strain through the whole leg. Rubbing the bottom of your foot over a tennis ball can also ease the pain felt in the calf.Jun 12, 2018

Should you walk on a strained calf?

For the first few days, reduce the amount of walking you do. Gently move your ankle regularly to avoid stiffness. Avoid forceful and strenuous activity such as running and jumping until you can walk without it causing any pain.

Should you stretch a pulled calf muscle?

Stretching a torn calf muscle could do more harm than good 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.Nov 25, 2021

Is Deep heat good for calf strain?

Just massage it onto major muscle groups like hamstrings, calves, thighs, shoulders, biceps etc. to build warmth and prevent injuries. The Deep Heat PRO Recovery Massage Oil is best used post-exercise to warm down, loosen tight muscles and help repair muscle tissue by boosting blood circulation.Nov 29, 2018

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

Symptoms. A calf strain usually starts with sudden pain in the back of the lower leg. A pop, snap or tearing sensation may be felt. Occasionally, with a severe tear, it may feel like you have been shot in the back of the leg.Mar 15, 2018

How do I know if I pulled my calf muscle?

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.Aug 24, 2021

Why is my calf strain not healing?

0:525:44Why is My Calf Strain not Healing? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhy is my calf strain not healing. And by far the most common reason has been because they've justMoreWhy is my calf strain not healing. And by far the most common reason has been because they've just not strengthened it to a high enough level to be able to do their sports.

What does a grade 3 calf strain feel like?

Someone who experiences a grade three calf strain will experience immediate and excruciating pain. They will be unable to continue the activity, and may not be able to move their calf muscle at all.Feb 3, 2016

Do compression socks help calf strains?

Although compression socks cannot cure your calf strain, they can significantly help reduce and alleviate pain and help further prevent calf injuries. Copper-infused compression socks can reduce calf pain and swelling, prevent damage, and treat the issues that are causing calf pain.Feb 19, 2021

Can you walk with a grade 3 calf strain?

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. Immediate swelling and bruising will be present within 24 hours.Apr 13, 2019

Calf Muscle Strain vs. Pulled Calf Muscle vs. Calf Muscle Tear

What is the difference between a strained, pulled, and torn calf muscle? All of these injuries to your calves can cause varying degrees of pain and...

Grades of Calf Muscle Injury

All types of calf muscle injuries are graded according to their severity. These are classed as mild, moderate, or severe injuries to the calves. Ac...

What Does Pulled, Strained, Or Torn Calf Muscle Feel like?

Straining, pulling, or tearing a calf muscle can feel like something has hit the back of your leg with force. According to the journal Radiology Ca...

Causes of Strained, Pulled, Or Torn Calf Muscle

Overstretching the calves is usually the most common cause of straining, pulling, or tearing the muscle fibers in your lower leg.Doctors from the N...

Calf Muscle Cramps During The Night

Night leg cramps (also called nocturnal leg cramps or “charley horses”) mostly happen in the calf muscles. These are involuntary contractions or sp...

How Long Do Calf Muscle Injuries Take to heal?

Knowing how long it takes a calf muscle injury to heal depends on the extent of gastrocnemius tearing in the leg. However, the length of time a tor...

How to Treat Pulled Or Strained Calf Muscle

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.

Exercises For Calf Muscle Strain

After two or three weeks of applying ice and heat treatments, you can start to use exercises for calf muscle strain. If you have suffered a grade 2...

How to Prevent Calf Muscle Injuries

To prevent bad calf muscle strains and tears, it is very important to warm up before taking part in strenuous activity.According to the Journal of...

When to See A Doctor For Calf Muscle Injury

Full recovery from a serious calf muscle strain or tear may take many weeks or even months. During this time, you should continue building strength...

How to treat a torn calf?

A professional therapist may use Ultrasound to treat your torn calf. It transmits high-frequency sound waves into the tissue. This encourages blood flow, which facilitates healing of damaged muscle fibres. Ultrasound is particularly useful in the early stages of the injury.

What is a calf strain?

A Calf strain is simply a tear of one of the muscles which make up the calf muscle group at the back of the lower leg. The calf muscle group consists of the Gastrocnemius and Soleus muscles. The gastrocnemius is the big muscle at the back of the lower leg. The soleus is the smaller of the two and is located lower down and lies underneath ...

How to tell if calf muscle is hurting?

Symptoms of a calf strain vary significantly depending on how bad your injury is. A mild strain may feel more like an ache during or after exercise. With a more severe strain, you will feel a sudden sharp pain at the back of the lower leg at the time of injury. Calf muscle strains are graded from 1 to 3, with grade 3 being the most severe.

Why do my calf muscles get tight?

Tight calf muscles – over time your muscles may tighten up and parts of the muscle may go into spasm, either from congenital reasons (genetics), or poor footwear. Wearing high heels. If you regularly wear high-heeled shoes this increases the risk of a number of injuries including calf strains.

How to treat a swollen muscle?

Use a cold therapy and compression wrap to minimise any bleeding within the muscle. Cold therapy can be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every hour initially, reducing frequency as symptoms allow. Do not apply ice directly to the skin as it can cause ice burns. A simple reuseable gel pack with an elastic wrap is ideal.

Where is the soleus located?

The soleus is the smaller of the two and is located lower down and lies underneath the gastrocnemius. Both muscles contract to produce ‘plantar flexion’ at the ankle joint. This is the same movement as standing up onto your tip-toes.

Who designed the Calf Strain Rehabilitation Program?

Our Calf strain rehabilitation program has been designed by England & British Lions Rugby Sports Physiotherapist Phil Pask. It is based on what an elite athlete would do and adapted for people of all ages and abilities.

How to treat calf pain?

Wrap the ice pack in a thin towel and hold on the calf area at the back of your 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.

How to stretch calf muscle?

Exercise 1 for strained calf muscle. Stand facing a wall and put your hands on that wall at shoulder level. Extend your injured leg back with your heel on the floor as comfortable as possible and step forward with your uninjured leg. Gently lean your chest into the wall by bending your uninjured leg.

Why does my calf hurt?

Calf muscle injuries can happen when straining tight leg muscles by accelerating fast or suddenly changing direction. Pulling or tearing a calf muscle can cause a sudden sharp pain in the back of your leg. Depending on the extent of injury to your calf muscle, you might have mild to intense pain.

What happens if you tear your calf?

You might even hear your calf muscle “pop” when it tears. This kind of bad calf muscle injury usually results in swelling, bruising, and a lot of pain.

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

A grade 1 calf muscle injury will take between one and 3 weeks to heal. Grade 2 calf muscle injury. A partial tear of the calf muscle results in a moderate, or grade 2 calf muscle injury. Pain will be significant and will cause weakness in the lower leg muscle and make walking difficult.

Where is the calf muscle located?

Your calf muscles are located at the back of your lower leg and are needed to move your legs when walking, running, or jumping.

What is the soleus muscle?

The soleus is a much smaller calf muscle and is located under the gastrocnemius. Both of the muscles in the calves taper at the bottom and join to your Achilles tendon. 1. The function of your calf muscles is to provide mobility to your legs and enable you to freely walk, run, or jump.

How to treat a torn calf muscle?

In addition, you can also treat your calf injury by: Taking an anti-inflammatory drug, such as ibuprofen or naproxen. Wearing a brace or use crutches. Doing rehabilitating exercises, such as calf stretches and heel lifts.

How to treat a calf injury?

For most cases, make sure you’re following the PRICE treatment. In addition, you can also treat your calf injury by: 1 Taking an anti-inflammatory drug, such as ibuprofen or naproxen 2 Wearing a brace or use crutches 3 Doing rehabilitating exercises, such as calf stretches and heel lifts

Why does my calf tear?

Calf Muscle Tear Explained. Muscle tears or strains are caused by undue pressure that usually occurs during physical activity. This damage results in a partial or full tear of the muscle fibers and attached tendons.

What are the grades of calf strains?

There are three grades of a calf muscle strain: Grade 1 Pull: Damage to a few muscle fibers. Grade 2 Strain: Damage to a larger number of muscle fibers. Grade 3 Tear: Complete tear in the muscle.

How to tell if you pulled a muscle?

Symptoms won’t be recognized until the individual stops the activity that caused the pull. Grade 2 symptoms include immediate pain (especially when stretched or contracted). Bruises may also appear where the muscle was strained, causing the area to be sore to the touch. Grade 3 symptoms include an immediate burning sensation and stabbing pain ...

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What are the symptoms of a torn calf muscle?

Notable symptoms for a strained or torn calf muscle are stiffness, swelling, pain, and bruising. However, depending on the severity of the injury, it can result in more specific symptoms based on grade: Grade 1 symptoms include a cramping sensation, tightness, and slight pain when the calf muscles stretch and contract.

How to treat a pulled calf muscle?

In the meantime, you can use the following home treatments: Ice or cold compresses. Wrap these in a soft cloth and place on your calf for 10 minutes.

How to heal a calf muscle?

A mild calf muscle strain may resolve within in a few days. In the meantime, you can use the following home treatments: 1 Ice or cold compresses. Wrap these in a soft cloth and place on your calf for 10 minutes. You can repeat the process every hour or two for the first three days of your injury if you still have swelling. 2 Heat pads. Make sure the setting is on low and that you don’t fall asleep with a heating pad on your leg. Try not to use a heating pad right away as the heat may cause your calf to swell more. 3 Leg wraps. These can also help reduce swelling and increase mobility. 4 Prop your leg up above heart level. This will decrease swelling. 5 Rest for at least a full day. Only return to exercise and your normal activities after your calf is completely free from pain and swelling. 6 Take over-the-counter pain medications. Unless otherwise instructed by your doctor, you can take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain relief. Ibuprofen is also a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that reduces swelling.

What is pulled calf?

Pulled calf muscle. A pulled calf muscle refers to strains within the two muscles in the lower back of your leg that make up your calf. They’re called the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. When a strain occurs, muscle fibers are torn to some degree. A pulled calf muscle happens when your internal muscles are overstretched from exercise.

What to do if your calf is swollen?

Only return to exercise and your normal activities after your calf is completely free from pain and swelling. Take over-the-counter pain medications. Unless otherwise instructed by your doctor, you can take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain relief.

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

In total, it usually takes up to three days for a pulled calf muscle to start feeling better. But a full recovery may take up to six weeks, according to Oxford University Hospitals. Severe swelling can make any pain and discomfort last a bit longer. Walking on recovering calf muscles can also increase recovery time.

How to strengthen calf muscles?

Ask your doctor about the following exercises you can try at home during your calf muscle recovery: Chair stretches. Sitting in a stable chair, bend and straighten the knee of your affected leg for 10 repetitions at a time. Wall stretches.

How to stretch your toes?

Flex your foot and set your heel firmly into the floor. Gently press your toes towards you for 5 seconds in this position, repeating the stretch up to 10 times. Standing stretches. Grip the back of a sturdy chair and lift yourself on the balls of your feet for 5 seconds.

How to relieve pain from calf muscle injury?

Wear a heel pad in your shoe for a few days to raise your heel and shorten the injured calf muscle, which will relieve some of the tension / pain. But don't forget about it; if left in place too long can cause a flexion contracture (shortening) of the achilles tendon and permanent stiffness of the ankle.

How to treat a torn calf muscle?

Once you know that, you'll know how to treat the injury successfully. For minor calf strains, the best approach is rest, ice, compression, and elevation.

How to tell between gastrocnemius and soleus strain?

With a more serious strain, it's important to distinguish which muscle is involved to the greater extent: the deeper soleus or the more superficial "heads" of the gastrocnemius. MRI or diagnostic ultrasound may be needed to best diagnose the location and degree of the injury. Grade II strains involve more extensive damage, up to 90% of the muscle fibers may be torn. These injuries present with more pain (described as sharp in nature), significant loss of muscle strength and range of motion. Swelling is more severe and bruising quickly develops because of the internal bleeding from the torn muscle fibers.

Why does my calf hurt?

Furthermore, some serious medical conditions can cause calf pain or refer pain to that region, such as a bone fracture, bone cancer, bone infection (osteomyelitis), venous insufficiency, sciatica from a lumbar disc herniation or complications related to diabetes. [2]

What doctor can help with calf pain?

As such, medical specialists such as an orthopedist (bone and joint specialist), neurologist (nerve specialist) or physiatrist (muscle and bone specialist) may be needed to rule out the most serious causes of your calf pain.

How long does it take for a calf strain to heal?

Most calf strains are minor injuries and self-heal within a week -- the degree of pain, disability and bruising are good indicators of seriousness. Grade I muscle strains involve micro-tears of up to 10% of the muscle fibers.

Which muscle is the lower leg?

The two muscles that work in conjunction to form the lower leg (or calf) are the deeper soleus muscle and the more superficial (closer to the skin) gastrocnemius muscle.

How to treat a calf sprain?

People can use a cold compress to reduce inflammation and relieve muscle pain during the first 2 days, when they should apply a cold compress to the calf for 20 minutes up to eight times a day.

How to heal a calf muscle?

Resting the injured leg and keeping it elevated can help speed up the recovery process. People should wait until their calf muscle heals completely before resuming their regular physical activities. Using a muscle before it heals can result in the initial injury taking longer to heal.

What does it mean when your calf is pulled?

Pulled calf muscle: Symptoms and what to do. A pulled or strained calf muscle affects the muscles and tendons in the back of the lower leg. A strain refers to an injured muscle or tendon. Tendons are the cords of tissue that connect muscles to bones.

What is a pulled calf muscle?

A pulled or strained calf muscle affects the muscles and tendons in the back of the lower leg. A strain refers to an injured muscle or tendon. Tendons are the cords of tissue that connect muscles to bones. A strain occurs when the fibers of the muscle or tendon partially or completely tear.

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

Depending on the severity of the injury, a pulled calf muscle can take several weeks or months to heal. A doctor may recommend surgery to treat a severely strained or torn calf muscle.

What happens if you pull your calf?

A person with a pulled calf muscle may experience muscle cramps, swelling, and redness. The symptoms of a pulled calf muscle vary depending on the severity of the injury. Mild muscle strain can cause pain that feels similar to post-workout soreness. A severe strain can cause intense, even debilitating, pain that can make walking difficult ...

How to stretch a leg that hurts?

Stand in front of a wall and place both hands firmly against the wall at shoulder level. Step the unaffected leg toward the wall while keeping the injured leg straight. Bend the front knee so that the hips and chest move toward the wall. Gently deepen the bend to produce a light stretch in the back leg.

What to check for in a physical exam?

Diagnosis. During the physical exam, your doctor will check for swelling and points of tenderness. The location and intensity of your pain can help determine the extent and nature of the damage.

How to stop swelling in a swollen ear?

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. Compression. To help stop swelling, compress the area with an elastic bandage until the swelling stops.

How to write a medical list?

You may want to write a list that includes: 1 Detailed descriptions of your symptoms 2 Information about medical problems you've had 3 Information about the medical problems of your parents or siblings 4 All the medications and dietary supplements you take 5 Questions you want to ask the doctor

How to heal muscle strain?

Most muscle strain injuries will heal with simple treatment steps, but performing the right steps, at the right time, can be critical to ensuring the fastest possible recovery. As with many injuries, there is a balance between doing too much, or too little, early after the injury.

What are the symptoms of muscle strain?

The usual symptoms of this type of injury include pain, spasm of the muscle, swelling, bruising, and limited mobility. Often an athlete will feel a sudden grabbing or tearing sensation in the muscle, and then be unable to continue their activities. Muscle strain injuries are graded by severity: 1 .

What is pulled muscle?

Jason DelCollo, DO, is board-certified in family medicine and on the faculty of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. A muscle strain, also called a pulled muscle, occurs when a muscle is stretched too far, and microscopic tears occur within the muscle fibers.

How does temperature affect muscle stiffness?

Laboratory studies have shown that temperature can influence the stiffness of a muscle. 4  By keeping the body and muscles warm, the muscle is less likely to sustain a strain type of injury.

What happens after a muscle injury?

After injuring the muscle, it is important to regain strength before returning to athletic activities. Both the injury itself and the rest period following the injury can reduce the strength of the muscle. Stronger muscles are less likely to sustain a re-injury.

What is a grade 1 injury?

Grade I: Mild discomfort, often no disability, usually does not limit activity . Grade II: Moderate discomfort, can limit the ability to perform high-level activities. May have moderate swelling and bruising associated. Grade III: Severe injury that can cause significant pain. Often patients complain of muscle spasm, swelling, ...