Common Causes
Depending on the severity of your injury, it may be several weeks before you can return to full activities. Recovery after surgery can take up to six months. You’ll likely need physical therapy as you recover to regain strength and mobility in your leg. Once you’ve had a pulled calf muscle, you have a higher risk for future strains in that area.
Related Conditions
Depending on the severity of the injury, recovery may take between a few days and six weeks. First Aid The following action should be taken as quickly as possible, certainly within 48 hours. • Rest (immobilisation). Stop playing tennis and do not lean on the foot.
What is the healing time for a pulled calf muscle?
Put your affected leg about a step behind your other leg. Keeping your back leg straight and your back heel on the floor, bend your front knee and gently bring your hip and chest toward the wall until you feel a stretch in the calf of your back leg. Hold the stretch for at least 15 to 30 seconds. Repeat 2 to 4 times.
What is the recovery time for a calf strain?
Physiotherapy - Guidelines for the Rehabilitation Program Healing of a calf muscle usually takes about 6-8 weeks however everyone recovers from injury at different rates. The rate of healing of your muscle will depend on how severe your injury is as well as any other medical problems you may already have.
What are the best exercises for muscle strain?
Apr 11, 2022 · Experts classify calf strains at three levels: Grade 1 involves “microscopic damage,” according to injury analyst Jeff Stotts, and shows fibers in …
How to heal calf injuries?
May 09, 2019 · — A Grade 1 strain, considered a "pulled muscle" with minimal tearing, is the mildest and takes 7-10 days to recover from. — A Grade 2 strain, an incomplete muscle tear, requires 3-6 weeks of...
How long should I stay off a calf strain?
In the less severe cases it usually takes up to three days for a pulled calf muscle to start feeling better. In the most severe cases that don't require surgery a full recovery may take up to six weeks. In the case that the injury requires surgery the recovery period may extend up to six months to a full year.
When can I start stretching after calf strain?
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. Once the pain and inflammation subside, rather than stretching, a safer option would be to start with gentle range of movement activities of your foot, ankle and knee.Nov 25, 2021
How do you rehab a strained calf?
Put your affected leg about a step behind your other leg. Keeping your back leg straight and your back heel on the floor, bend your front knee and gently bring your hip and chest toward the wall until you feel a stretch in the calf of your back leg. Hold the stretch for at least 15 to 30 seconds. Repeat 2 to 4 times.
Do I need physical therapy for calf strain?
If Surgery Is Necessary. Surgery is rarely necessary in the case of calf strain, but if a calf muscle fully tears and requires surgical repair, your physical therapist will help you minimize pain, restore motion and strength, and return to normal activities in the safest and speediest manner possible after surgery.
Is walking good for calf strain?
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.
Can I cycle with a calf strain?
Symptoms you have damaged your calf muscles If you injure your calf muscle it is important to stop cycling and not to put any weight on your leg. As soon as you can, rest and cool the area with an ice pack or cold water.Mar 9, 2018
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
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
Can you lift weights with a calf strain?
Calf Strain Treatment Rest: It's important to rest your injured muscle, which means avoiding any activities that cause pain, as well as any impact activity or excessive stretching—like running, jumping, or weightlifting. It's also important to not return to sports until you are pain-free.Oct 20, 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.
Can you walk with a Grade 2 calf strain?
Grade II calf strain: Moderate discomfort with walking. Limited ability to perform activities such as running and jumping. May have swelling and bruising.Dec 29, 2021
Clinical significance
Mild to severe pain in hind part of the leg below the knee.
Calf muscle pain is not always related to an underlying condition. It may be caused by:
- Muscle cramp due to sudden movement and contraction
- Strain due to overuse or fatigue
- Bruise caused due to injury, fall or blow
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
- An acute calf strain can be quite painful, depending on the severity of the injury. Calf strains are usually graded as follows: Typically, individuals who sustain a calf strain notice a sudden, sharp pain in the back of the leg. The most common muscle to injure when a calf strain occurs is the medial gastrocnemius. This muscle is on the inner side of the back of the leg. The injury usually …
Prognosis
- A calf muscle strain is usually a clear diagnosis, but there are other causes of calf pain that should be considered. Other causes of calf pain include a baker's cyst, leg cramps, and blood clots.