Undertaking training prior to competition to ensure readiness to play. 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. There may be bruising or swelling that develops over the following 24 hours. This will ensure decreased bleeding and swelling in the injured area. Gastrocnemius vs. soleus strain: how to differentiate and deal with calf muscle injuries. This is not intended to diagnose calf pain, only estimate the severity of a calf muscle tear. Muscle spasms 5. Learning the proper technique for exercise and sporting activities. Keeping calf muscles strong so they can absorb the energy of sudden physical stress. The aim is to reduce the bleeding and damage in the muscle. A sudden change of direction, explosive movement or increase in speed can result in the calf muscles becoming torn or strained. Then you’ll experience pain, swelling or bruising in the calf muscle, and you’ll have difficulty walking properly or standing on your toes. Then you’ll experience pain, swelling or bruising in the calf muscle, and you’ll have difficulty walking properly or standing on your toes. If the tear is not complete, your doctor will send you home with instructions for self-care using the RICE treatment protocol. The severity of the symptoms and the course of treatment depend on the extensiveness of the tear. A calf muscle with a grade III strain will be quite painful, swollen and discolored. With a more severe strain, you will feel a sudden sharp pain at the back of the lower leg at the time of injury. Only a few muscle fibers are overstretched or torn. 2009;2(2):74-7. doi:10.1007/s12178-009-9045-8. Swelling 6. Grade 2 calf muscle injury. This is the most severe calf strain with a complete tearing or rupture of muscle fibres in the lower leg. Symptoms of a torn calf muscle include pain, swelling, bruising and weakness or loss of function. When this occurs and the injury involves the deeper calf muscle, it is known as a calf strain of the soleus muscle. RICE protocol should be followed for 48–72 hours. Difficulty in contracting the muscle or standing on tiptoe. A torn calf muscle is experienced through swelling or bruising if the tear is severe. Problems walking or putting weight on the injured leg. Bruising. Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine. Keeping your knees straight, rise slowly up onto your toes, and then lower your heels down slightly below the level of the step until you feel a slight stretch. Your doctor may also recommend that you use over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to help reduce pain and swelling. Your calf muscle is referred to as a single muscle, but it is actually two separate muscles: the gastrocnemius and the soleus. Depending on the severity of the calf tear, the injury could take up to 6 weeks to heal. Bruising. Gradually increasing the intensity and duration of training. The area around the injury may be tender, and rising up onto the toes or stretching out the calf may be painful. Calf muscle tears usually occur during acceleration or changes in direction (e.g. These three muscles are the gastrocnemius, the soleus, and the plantaris. Redness or bruising 3. Calf problems - Muscle, bone and joint injuries | NHS inform A calf muscle with a grade III strain will be quite painful, swollen and discolored. Gradually including weights or additional resistance over time. 2. Arterial claudication Other symptoms include: Pain. This may be accompanied by a popping sound or sensation at the time of injury. More muscle fibers are affected and the pain and swelling are more severe. Calf strain may be minor or very severe. tennis, squash). This will decrease stress on all muscles, including calf muscles. Your recovery will depend on your individual injury. The immediate treatment of any soft tissue injury consists of the RICER protocol – rest, ice, compression, elevation and referral to a sports medicine professional. A mild strain may feel more like an ache during or after exercise. A sudden pain at the back of the leg, particularly at the muscular tendinous junction. A partial tear of the calf muscle results in a moderate, or grade 2 calf muscle injury. The symptoms of a pulled calf muscle vary depending on … We have two physiotherapy clinics in Sydney CBD. We have physiotherapists who are experts in specific areas of the body so if you are searching for a physiotherapist, see an expert, not a generalist. Calf Muscle Tear Although it is extremely painful, calf muscle tears occur often, especially to men ages 40 to 60. Home » Blog » Muscle tears » Calf Muscle Tears. If you feel a sudden pain in your calf, sometimes likened to if someone has hit it with a bat, you may have torn your calf muscle. A grade I strain is mild. A grade III strain is the most serious, resulting in a complete tear. Pain will be significant and will cause weakness in the lower leg muscle and make walking difficult. In addition to pain, symptoms that may accompany a bruised muscle include: Most of the injuries that occur to the calf are actually injuries to the gastrocnemius, the largest of the three. Calf muscle strains are graded from 1 to 3, with grade 3 being the most severe. A sign of a torn calf muscle is similar to that of an Achilles tendon rupture. The soreness of the calf muscle lasts for 2 or 3 weeks. A person with a pulled calf muscle may experience muscle cramps, swelling, and redness. What Are the Treatments for Calf Muscle Pain? You may see a gap or dent where the muscle is torn.As this type of severe calf muscle tear results in complete loss of function, performing any activity will be challenging if not impossible. There may be some bruising as well as muscle weakness. Treatment for a gastrocnemius muscle tear. Pain and swelling or bruising in the calf muscle. Other symptoms include: Pain. Common symptoms of a calf muscle injury A calf strain injury may cause immediate pain and the sensation of being struck or kicked on the back of the calf. The symptoms don't really explain how a torn calf muscle feels. Leg Muscle Tear or Injury can also be called as Leg Muscle Strain. Swelling. Depending on the severity of the damage to the muscle, symptoms of a torn calf can vary. Symptoms of a gastrocnemius muscle tear. There might be a stabbing or tearing sensation felt at the time of injury, and there may be pain, tightness or discomfort when weight bearing. 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