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. ...
- Heat pads. Make sure the setting is on low and that you don’t fall asleep with a heating pad on your leg. ...
- Leg wraps. ...
- Prop your leg up above heart level. ...
- Rest for at least a full day. ...
- Take over-the-counter pain medications. ...
What can I do to fix a torn calf muscle?
Strengthen Your Calf
- Stand with the balls of your feet on a step, with your heels hanging over the edge.
- Slowly rise up on your toes as high as possible.
- Hold for two seconds; then slowly lower back down.
- Repeat 10 times, working up to three sets in a row.
How long does a torn calf muscle take to heal?
Torn Calf Muscle Recovery. 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.
What is the healing time for a pulled calf muscle?
- You hear the calf muscle pop at the time of injury.
- The calf area of your injured leg becomes discolored, starts to swell, and you have severe leg pain.
- You have difficulty walking or putting any weight on your leg.
- 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.
How to heal, protect, and strengthen a strained calf muscle?
- Fill a clean cotton sock with rice and leave about 3 inches clear at the top.
- Tie a knot in the sock, making sure that there is still some flexibility in the sock.
- Place in the microwave and heat on full power for 1-2 minutes.
- Wrap the rice-filled heating pad in a warm moist towel.
How long does it take to heal a torn calf muscle?
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.
What is the fastest way to heal a torn calf muscle?
Management and TreatmentRest: 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. ... Compression: Reduce swelling and fluid buildup by applying a compression bandage or wrap to the injured area.More items...•
Does a torn calf muscle require surgery?
Torn calf muscles are an injury of middle-aged athletes, people 35 to 55, especially weekend warriors. Fortunately, the treatment is physical therapy, not surgery. After resting until pain subsides, strengthening exercises and some stretching of the calf will generally restore the muscle to full function.
Can you walk with a torn calf muscle?
Moderately severe calf injuries need to be treated with a little more caution. In the early stages there will be noticeable swelling and discomfort. You will be able to walk unaided but with some difficulty and pain. Any movements that place even a small stress or load on the calf are likely to be painful.
How do you tell if calf muscle is torn or pulled?
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 bruising in your calf muscle.More items...•
What is the difference between a calf strain and a tear?
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. Afterwards, the calf may swell and it will be difficult to rise up onto the toes.
What is a Grade 2 calf tear?
Grade 2: A moderate strain where more muscle fibers are torn but there is not a complete rupture. This usually takes 4-8 weeks for recovery and the individual can feel significant pain and loss of normal function of the calf muscle due to pain.
How is a torn muscle diagnosed?
Symptoms of Torn Muscles Expect pain and soreness, as well as spasms and swelling in the affected area. Depending on the severity of the strain, you may find it difficult to move the area, if at all. You may note swelling as well as bruising and discoloration accompanied by a “knotted up” feeling or stiffness.
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...
Overview
Your calf muscles (the gastrocnemius and soleus) are in your lower leg, behind your shin bone. They extend from behind your knee down to your heel. These muscles can tear if you perform sudden movements that severely overstretch them. Calf muscle tears can be partial or complete (rupture).
Symptoms and Causes
A ruptured calf muscle can happen if you suddenly overstretch your calf. Quick pivots, jumps or abrupt stops during sports can cause this injury. It’s also possible to develop tears over time if you overwork your calf muscles. People who return to exercise too quickly after a previous calf injury can also develop tears.
Diagnosis and Tests
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.
Management and Treatment
After confirming you have a torn calf muscle, your healthcare provider may recommend a home treatment known as RICE:
Prevention
Allowing your calf muscles to rest and recover between games, practices or workouts.
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
What to do if your calf is hurting?
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. If you think you or your child have a calf muscle injury, visit your nearest FastMed Urgent Care to have a medical professional evaluate its severity.
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.
What are the three grades of calf muscle strain?
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 long does it take for a calf pull to heal?
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 medical evaluation from a trained professional first before beginning treatment.
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.
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 ...
How to stop calf muscle pain?
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. Gently apply an elastic bandage around your calf muscle to help prevent swelling in the calf muscle tear.
How to heal a pulled calf muscle?
As the pulled calf muscle heals, a warm heating pad, exercises, and stretching can all help to speed up the healing process. Advertisement.
What are the muscles in the back of the leg called?
These calf muscles are called the gastrocnemius and soleus. Dr. Carol DerSarkissian on WebMD says that the gastrocnemius is a diamond shape muscle that forms the bulge at the back of your 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.
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.
Why do my calves pull?
Doctors from the National Health Service (NHS) say that calf strains are commonly caused by putting too much force on the calf muscles.
Where do pulled calves occur?
Most cases of pulled, torn, or strained calves occur in the gastrocnemius which joins the ankle and knee. A severe calf muscle tear is likened to cracking a whip and can leave a person in great pain having to limp when walking. 2.
How to treat calf pain?
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.
What is pulled calf muscle?
What is a pulled calf muscle? A pulled calf muscle, or a calf muscle strain, occurs when the muscles in your calf — the soleus and gastrocnemius — get overstretched. The calf muscles are in your lower leg behind your shin bone and extend from the base of your thigh down to your heel. They help you flex and bend your foot, ankle and knee.
How to prevent calf muscle pull?
You can reduce your risk of a pulled calf muscle by: Keeping your calf muscles strong and conditioned. Stretching routinely. Not pushing through pain. Resting and recovering between workouts. Using proper technique when playing sports. Warming up and stretching your calf muscles before physical activity.
What does it mean when your calf is pulled?
A note from Cleveland Clinic. A pulled calf muscle happens when you overstretch the muscles in the back of your lower leg. It’s a common injury with athletes that do a lot of stop-and-go movements, but it can also affect older, active individuals. Most calf strains heal with rest, ice, compression and elevation.
What age group is most likely to pull calf muscles?
Other risk factors for pulled calf muscles include: Age: People over 40 may be more likely to get strains during physical activity. Sex: Some studies suggest that men are more likely to get calf muscle injuries.
Why do I have calf strains?
Calf muscle strains usually occur when someone suddenly moves or overstretches their calf after standing still. Quick pivots, jumps or abrupt stops can cause strains. This injury is especially common when your toes get forced upward (toward your body) and your ankle pulls your calf muscles down too quickly.
How many lower limb injuries are caused by calf strains?
One study estimated that calf strains make up about 1.3% of all lower limb injuries in runners. Another study of soccer players identified gastrocnemius strains as making up 12% of all muscle injuries.
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 prevent calf muscle strains?
You can help prevent muscle strains and pulled calf muscles by: warming up for at least five minutes before exercise, including deep stretches. 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.
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.
What does it mean when your calf is pulled?
A pulled calf muscle happens when your internal muscles are overstretched from exercise. This is a common injury, especially among athletes and runners. Pulled calf muscles may be chronic from long-term injury or acute from brief overpulling.
How to tell if you pulled your calf?
Symptoms of a pulled calf muscle can depend on the severity of the injury. A mild strain can leave you with pain and feelings of pulling within the lower half of your leg. You can still walk with a mild strain, but it may be uncomfortable. Other signs of a pulled calf muscle include: mild swelling. redness.
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.
How to tell if calf muscle is pulled?
A pulled calf muscle is diagnosed with a symptom check. Your doctor will also look for signs such as swelling and bruising. They may even have you do mild stretches while they look at your calf muscle to see if it’s pulled.
What muscles are torn in the calf?
Gather more information regarding the symptoms and treatment of this condition. There are 2 major muscles in the lower part of the leg or calf. They are the soleus and gastrocnemius.
How to tell if calf muscle is torn?
➜ The first sign of a torn calf muscle is a sudden outbreak of pain. The pain is felt at the back of the lower section of the leg. Depending on the location of the tear, one can experience knee or heel pain as well.
What is calf tear?
It can be described as a severe form of strain in the muscle fibers that may cause partial or complete tear in the muscles. Due to a tear in the calf muscle, one experiences sharp muscle cramps in the calf area, which makes normal activities like walking very painful.
How long does it take for calf muscles to heal?
The pain due to torn calf muscles usually subsides after 2 days. Then, you should start resuming short-distance, easy walks in order to make the injured muscle flexible. You should stay away from sports activities for at least a month. During this period, perform some stretching and muscle strengthening exercises.
Why does my muscle swell?
This happens because as soon as the muscles get torn, the blood starts rushing to the injury site. This causes the muscle to swell. ➜ Bruising may also occur. This happens when the blood gets trapped under the skin, which results in a blue or purple color bruise on the area.
What muscles are in the lower leg?
There are 2 major muscles in the lower part of the leg or calf. They are the soleus and gastrocnemius. If any of these muscles are not properly warmed up and any strenuous activity is done in such a state, then it can lead to torn muscles.
Why does my leg feel so stiff?
Moving the leg may become difficult, as an injury to the muscles tends to stiffen them. ➜ Simple movements like pointing the toes or walking become an extremely painful experience. In serious injuries, one can feel a popping sensation and a snapping sound as well.
What is a calf tear?
Calf muscle tears, when they're minor, are called calf strains. When they're bigger, calf sprains. But both mean the tearing of part of the calf muscle. It's the result of muscles and tendons losing elasticity as we age, and it's the most common cause of calf pain in athletes.
Where is the pain in the back of the calf?
The pain is right in the middle of the back of the calf. It's hard to point your toes after it happens. Just about any athlete, except cyclists, can have a tear. Torn calf muscles are an injury of middle-aged athletes, people 35 to 55, especially weekend warriors.
