What is the recovery time for a torn calf?
The recovery times for calf tears are as follows:
- Grade I: Anywhere from 1 to 2 weeks following proper physical therapy and treatment.
- Grade II: Typically, 3 to 6 weeks for full recovery. Physical therapy, strengthening, and treatment need to be heavily utilized.
- Grade III: Even without surgical intervention, recovery time for a complete tear of the calf muscle can be 3 to 4 months.
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.
Why do I keep tearing my calf muscle?
Why do I keep pulling my calf muscle? The most common reasons for a recurrent calf muscle tear are calf weakness, improper training schedule (too much load without enough recovery periods), previous calf muscle tear and a lack of proper rehabilitation/going back to high intensity exercise too soon.
How do you treat a torn calf?
Most calf muscle strains can be treated at home:
- Rest your injured leg. ...
- Put ice or a cold pack on the sore muscle for 10 to 20 minutes at a time to stop swelling. ...
- After 2 or 3 days, you can try alternating cold with heat. ...
- Wrap your lower leg with an elastic bandage (such as an Ace wrap) to help decrease swelling. ...
How long does a torn calf muscle take to heal?
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.
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 rehab a torn 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 can a doctor do for a torn calf muscle?
A doctor may recommend surgery to treat a severely strained or torn calf muscle. Muscle injuries can damage nearby blood vessels, which may cause localized bleeding under the skin. Blood cells that collect in muscle tissue can form a hematoma or a blood clot.
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.
How can you tell if your calf muscle is torn?
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 fastest way to heal a 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...•
Should you stretch a torn calf?
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.
Do calf tears 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.
Why is my calf strain not healing?
1:185:44Why is My Calf Strain not Healing? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipReally it means that a part of your calf muscle has torn. So some of the fibers have torn and nowMoreReally it means that a part of your calf muscle has torn. So some of the fibers have torn and now the muscle as a whole is not as strong as it could be. So in order for you to get back to your sport.
What does a grade 3 calf strain feel like?
Grade 3 degree strain Symptoms – a complete rupture Pain is felt immediately, and can feel like a burning or stabbing sensation. The muscle is tender to touch. Inflammation occurs. A lump of muscle tissue can be felt where the tear has occurred.
Can you XRAY a calf tear?
A calf strain can be diagnosed in a full medical exam with your physician. He or she will take a full medical history as well as determine how the injury occurred. Although advanced imaging is not necessary to diagnose a calf strain, your doctor may order an x-ray or MRI to rule out other calf or lower leg injuries.
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...
What is a torn calf muscle?
A torn calf muscle is an injury that causes a partial or complete tear in the muscles behind your shin bone. A calf muscle tear usually causes sudden, intense calf pain and may prevent you from walking or bearing weight on your leg. Calf muscle tears usually heal with conservative treatments, but sometimes require surgery.
Why do calf muscles tear?
Your calf muscles are at especially high risk for tears because of their location between two joints — the ankle and the knee. These muscles also have very tight muscle fibers, making them prone to overstretching injuries.
What muscles do you use to rest between games?
Allowing your calf muscles to rest and recover between games, practices or workouts.
How long do you have to stay in the hospital after a calf tear?
You may need to stay in the hospital for a few days after your procedure.
Where are the calf muscles located?
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).
How to stop calf pain?
Rest: Once you feel calf pain, stop doing physical activity and rest your leg. Don’t push through pain, which can make the problem worse. You might be required to use crutches or wear a boot for several days.
How to reduce swelling in calf?
Compression: Apply a compression wrap or sleeve to your calf. Compression helps reduce blood flow to the painful area and minimize swelling.
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 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.
What is the Calf Muscle?
There are 2 muscles that make up the calves in the back of your lower leg. These calf muscles are called the gastrocnemius and soleus.
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 Case Reports, people who strain or tear a calf muscle have the sensation of something snapping in their mid-calf. In many cases, it is possible to hear the muscle “pop” or tear. 5
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 is the difference between a strained, pulled, and torn calf muscle?
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 damage to your lower leg muscles.
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.
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 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 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.
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 ...
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 heal a torn calf muscle?
The Best Way to Heal a Torn Calf Muscle. Your calf, or gastrocnemius muscle, can easily become strained during exercise or sports that quickly change direction, such as basketball or tennis. Muscle strains can be minor, stretching muscle fibers until mildly tender, or strains can involve complete muscle tears, resulting in stronger pain ...
How to heal a calf injury?
After at least one week off your feet, consider the following secret recovery tip for runners with calf injuries from publisher and editorial director of "Running Times," John L. Parker. Use a track or treadmill with a flat, controlled surface to walk one mile. Jog carefully for a few hundred yards, then walk again. Continue alternating through your workout, but stop if your calf grows numb or sore. Parker advises a day of rest before walking or jogging again, then gradually increase the jogging portion until you are back to your regular routine.
How to tell if calf muscle is torn?
Symptoms for a torn calf muscle depend on its severity-based grade. Grade I, where only some fibers are stretched or torn, produces mild tenderness and some pain, but the muscle's strength remains intact. Grade II is slightly more severe, pain and tenderness are modestly increased with additional swelling, reduced strength and possible bruising. Grade III is the most severe, with muscles torn all the way through and a complete loss of muscle function. A dent or gap under the skin may be seen where muscle has ripped and may only be repaired by surgery.
What is the most severe grade of calf muscle torn?
Symptoms for a torn calf muscle depend on its severity-based grade. Grade III is the most severe, with muscles torn all the way through and a complete loss of muscle function.
What is the best way to reduce leg pain?
Light compression with an elastic bandage may be helpful, along with elevation of the calf muscle, in which your leg is slightly higher than your heart.
How to get rid of a swollen thigh?
After pain has subsided, it may be safe to begin stretching exercises along with massage therapy. Parker advises a day of rest before walking or jogging again, then gradually increase the jogging portion until you are back to your regular routine.
What to do if you have a grade 3 tear?
Light compression with an elastic bandage may be helpful, along with elevation of the calf muscle, in which your leg is slightly higher than your heart. A Grade III diagnosis may require X-rays, MRI or Doppler testing. If your doctor diagnoses your tear as Grade I or II, your immediate treatment begins with RICE: rest, ice, ...
How to prevent calf muscle injury?
How to Prevent a Torn Calf Muscle 1 Warm up and stretch for at least 5 minutes before engaging in exercise or sport, and set aside time for a cool-down period of stretching to prevent cramping. 2 Use a chair stretch to loosen up your hamstrings. It's important to stretch your whole leg and body before working out, as every bit of the body is connected to the rest, and tension in one area could cause an injury in another. 3 Wall stretches allow you to focus on loosening up the back of the leg from heel to hip. 4 The floor or supine stretch helps condition your leg muscles for the prevention of injury. 5 A standing calf stretch is not only targeted for calf strength but can also be easily done just about anywhere throughout the day. 6 Supplement with amino acids to help support muscle recovery and repair with a full host of the building blocks of new protein synthesis.
How long does it take for a calf to heal?
So long as you don't reinjure the area by resuming vigorous physical activity too soon, your body will take care of the rest. In more severe cases it could take a month to 6 weeks to fully heal an injured calf muscle, so just be sure to listen to your body before resuming sports activities.
What muscle is used to flex the ankle and knee?
The calf is attached via the Achilles tendon to the heel of the foot. The calf muscle allows us to flex the ankle and the knee, and to run, jump, and rise to our tippy toes. It's an integral part of daily movement.
What causes calf pain?
Here's a breakdown of the different soft tissue injuries that could be causing calf pain. Calf muscle strain: Straining the calf muscle involves a tearing of the calf muscle fibers. Muscle strains can exist along a spectrum from mild cases of light pain and soreness to severe cases of complete tear. Pulled calf muscle: Another name ...
Why does my calf hurt?
Calf muscle myositis: Another culprit that can cause calf pain is myositis, a rare inflammation of the muscle that can occur due to infections or autoimmune disorders.
What does it mean when your calf is pulled?
A milder pulled calf injury may come with symptoms like redness, bruising, mild swelling, and an inability to stand up on the ball of your foot. Depending on the severity of the injury, these types of sprains can usually be treated at home with RICE and other healing aids. RICE stands for:
How to prevent calf cramps?
Here are some stretches and strengthening exercises you can use to help minimize the risk of calf injury and hopefully prevent future sprains and injuries. Warm up and stretch for at least 5 minutes before engaging in exercise or sport, and set aside time for a cool-down period of stretching to prevent cramping.
How long does it take to recover from a pulled calf muscle?
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.
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.
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.
How common are 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. Gastrocnemius strains (near the middle of the calf) are more common than soleus strains (the lower calf, closer to the heel).
What muscles do you warm up before physical activity?
Warming up and stretching your calf muscles before physical activity.
What does it feel like to flex your ankle?
Muscle pain when flexing your ankle or pointing your toes. Problems bending your knee. Snapping or popping sensation in your calf. Sudden pain in the back of your lower leg. Swelling in your calf muscle. Bruising on your calf muscle.
How long do you wear a cast after a syringe?
After surgery, you may wear a cast in plantarflexion for three weeks, and then a gentle dorsiflexion stretch cast for another three weeks. You use crutches or an assistive device to move around. Once the cast is off, your healthcare provider will tell you when you can resume light physical activity.
How to stretch calf muscles?
Move 2: Wall Calf Stretch. Stand facing a wall. Place your hands against the wall, at about shoulder height. Step your affected leg back about 2 feet. Keeping your back heel on the floor and knee straight, slowly lean in toward the wall until you feel a stretch in your calf.
How to raise your calf?
Once you're cleared by your doctor or physical therapist, begin calf raises, as demonstrated by ExRx.net, to restore strength in your gastrocnemius muscle. 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.
What muscle is used to point the toes?
The gastrocnemius muscle plantarflexes the foot — often referred to as "pointing the toes." Range of motion is often limited after muscle tear, particularly if your ankle has been immobilized. Range of motion exercises for a torn gastrocnemius can begin one week after injury.
How long after a torn gastrocnemius can you exercise?
Range of motion exercises for a torn gastrocnemius can begin one week after injury. Sit with your leg straight out in front of you. Leading with your big toe, draw the alphabet in the air.
How long should you hold your toes down?
Point your toes down as far as possible, as if you are pushing on a gas pedal. Hold for three seconds.
Can you exercise after tearing your calf?
Make sure to be careful when getting back to exercising after tearing your calf muscle.
Can a calf tear be surgery?
However, severe calf tears might require surgery. See a doctor if you suspect you have a calf tear. For the best results and to avoid further injury, perform calf tear rehab exercises under the direct supervision of a physical therapist.
