CALF STRAIN - The Facts

A calf strain is an injury to the muscles of the back of the leg. The calf muscles are the muscles from the back of the knee to the ankle, becoming the achilles tendon in the lower part of the leg. The calf muscle is made of three major muscles, the two gastrocnemius muscles and the soleus muscle.

What Happens to the Muscle When You Experience a Calf Strain?

A calf strain is an injury to the gastrocnemius muscle. This is when the muscle is stretched too far. Less severe strains pull the muscle beyond its normal excursion. Severe strains tear the muscle fibers and can even cause a complete tear of the muscle. Mostly calf strains are minor tears of some muscle fibers, but the bulk of the muscle tissue remains intact.

What Are the Symptoms of a Calf Strain?

A calf strain can be quite painful, depending on the severity of the injury. Calf strains are usually graded as follows:

• Grade I Calf Strain: Mild discomfort, often minimal disability. Usually minimal or no limits to activity.
• Grade II Calf Strain: Moderate discomfort with walking, and limited ability to perform activities, such as running and jumping; may have swelling and bruising associated.
• Grade III Calf Strain: Severe injury that can cause inability to walk. Often patients complain of muscle spasm, swelling and significant bruising.

People who have 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, occuring just above the midpoint of the leg (between the knee and ankle). This area of the calf becomes tender and swollen when a muscle strain occurs.

Severe calf strains, even in patients with Grade III calf strain injuries, can usually undergo successful nonsurgical treatment. In some very rare situations of complete muscle rupture, surgery may be necessary to reattach the torn ends of the muscle. 

What can be done about Calf Strain?

Treatment of a calf strain is usually guided by the severity of the injury. Resting a pulled calf muscle is the key to successful treatment, and don’t continue with activities that aggravate the injury. 

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The following are the common treatments used for calf strains:

• Rest It is important to rest following the injury to allow the injured muscle to properly heal. Pain should be your guide to your level of activity; ie avoid activities that cause symptoms.
• Gentle calf stretching is helpful, but it should not be painful. Stretching excessively can be harmful and slow up healing.
• Ice the Injury in the acute phase (first 48 hours after injury) and then after activities. Ice will help calm the inflammatory response and stimulate blood flow to the area.
• Non steroidal anti-inflammatory medication
• (such as Ibuprofen, Aleve or Motrin) can help relieve symptoms of pain and also calm the inflammation.
• Manual therapy such as osteopathy or physiotherapy can be helpful in guiding treatment that may speed your recovery. The use of ultrasound, massage and specific exercises including progressive strengthening exercises once the pain has gone, may be particularly helpful.

How Long Will a Calf Strain Take to Heal?

The length of time needed for healing a calf strain depends on the severity of the injury.

A grade I calf strain will heal in approximately 7 to 10 days,
A grade II injury within about 4 to 6 weeks,
A grade III calf strain within about 3 months.

Also see Achilles Tendonitis.

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