Elevating the leg helps reduce swelling and improves blood flow to the injured area, so if possible, the injured person should keep the leg elevated until he or she can see a doctor. It’s critical to follow all of your doctor’s instructions during your recovery period. A sudden change of direction, explosive movement or increase in speed can result in the calf muscles becoming torn or strained. It is also helpful to stretch after activity. Treatment of a torn calf muscle usually does not require surgery. A doctor or physiotherapist might recommend an MRI scan to assess the extent of rupture. In a grade 1 strain recovery is roughly 2 weeks. What are the Different Types of Calf Muscle Injury. Compression: to reduce swelling and restrict movement. The earlier the treatment, the better the outcome. The soleus sits deep to the gastrocnemius, with the plantaris muscle and part of its tendon located between these two muscles. Bruising to the lower leg, as a result of internal bleeding. During this time, you should apply an ice pack wrapped in a thin towel to the torn muscle for 15-20 minutes every 2 … Using crutches can help keep a person mobile while their ruptured calf muscle heals. Obtaining crutches from a doctor is one way to keep the leg immobile during the recovery phase while still maintaining the ability to move around for daily activities. Friction massage may help decrease adhesions. Exercises should focus on stretching and strengthening, focusing on the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles; for example calf and toe raises. Climbing or running up hills. Snapping Hip Syndrome symptoms and treatment, Ankle Support, Plantar Fasciitis & Foot Braces. But don't forget about it; if left in place too long can cause a flexion contracture (shortening) of the achilles tendon and permanent stiffness of the ankle. This is vital as delayed treatment may result in a poor outcome due to shortening of the torn calf muscle. Treatments may include: Rest. 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 simple reuseable gel pack with an elastic wrap is ideal. A doctor can also prescribe painklilers, anti-inflammatory medications, and can refer a patient to physical therapy and other recovery processes. Some can be treated with just the RICE treatment and sufficient time off the leg, and the muscle tissue will heal on its own after time. "Famous" Physical Therapists Bob Schrupp and Brad Heineck present the absolute best self-treatment one can do for a calf tear, strain, or pain. Muscle Strain Treatment Self-Care at Home The amount of swelling or local bleeding into the muscle (from torn blood vessels) can best be managed … 2. Hold for 5 seconds. Rest. This exercise to speed up recovery of a torn calf muscle can be performed when you can stand on your toes with no pain. Treatment of calf muscle tears is usually non-surgical, and dependent upon the individuals symptoms. A partially torn muscle is better treated by at least a primary care physician, who can assess the severity of the tear and decide upon a conservative or surgical treatment. NSAIDS (anti-inflammatories) and paracetamol can be taken to aid pain relief. Anti-inflammatory medicines may be used. In the sub-acute stage (3days â 3 weeks) heat therapy can be applied. A calf strain occurs when fibres of either of these two muscles are torn. [7] Muscle Strain Prevention Warm Up Exercises. Ruptures can lead to internal bleeding in many cases, however, so this condition will need to be addressed by a doctor. When a muscle is stretched, small micro tears occur in the muscle fibres. The nerves in the low back connect to the muscles in my leg. Ice bands are an effective way of applying ice therapy. Only a doctor will be able to make the determination as to whether the ruptured calf muscle is damaged severely enough to warrant surgery. You must be able to walk without pain before you are ready to return to exercise and sports. Treatment of a medial gastrocnemius strain can usually be accomplished with simple steps. The treatment of a torn calf muscle will vary depending on the severity of the injury. Pain is felt when walking or weight bearing. There are three different degrees of calf strain: grade 1 is a mild strain, grade 2 moderate to severe pain and a grade 3 strain is a complete rupture. 2. Elevation. 3. A few days after the injury, bruising will appear below where the partial tear has occurred. A few days after the injury, bruising will appear below where the rupture has occurred. Treatment for a gastrocnemius muscle tear. After 48 hours, stretching and strengthening exercises should be started. As the muscle tear heals, physical therapy exercises are utilized to regain full range of motion and muscular strength. Not all ruptures require surgery to fix. We use cookies to improve your experience on our website. If you’ve suffered a minor strain, which is not stopping you from continuing your activity, you may only need to consider targeted strengthening exercises to prevent further, more serious, damage. According to various studies, it has been proven that warming up prior to exercises can lessen the risk of having muscle strains. Mobility should be limited during this recovery time, which can be difficult for many active people. Calf muscle tear treatment can usually be carried out at home with most people making a full recovery. Use an ice pack or slush bath of ice and water for 15 to 20 minutes each time and repeat every two to three hours while you're awake for the first few days after the injury. What are the Most Common Causes of Calf Pain? Copyright Vivomed Ltd. All rights Reserved. Ice treatment: Ice, can be applied for 10-15 minutes, every 2-3 hours in the acute and sub- acute stage (frequency can be reduced according to recovery, and can be continued for as long as deemed necessary). The surgical procedure involves the release of blood from the affected part, and the torn part of the calf muscle is attached to the tendon. Lower yourself back down. In the meantime, you can use the following home treatments: Ice or cold compresses. A lump of muscle tissue can be felt where the tear has occurred. This method involves: 1. A sensation of being hit on the back of the lower leg. Then, you should start resuming short-distance, … Treatment depends on how severe the muscle tear is. Ice. Symptoms of a calf strain may depend on the severity of the injury. A mild calf muscle strain may resolve within in a few days. Let me give you a concrete example that ties back to my calf muscle tear. In many cases, a ruptured calf muscle will require surgery to repair the damaged muscle tissue, and the surgery will be followed by a rehabilitation period of rest and physical therapy. If the injury is severe or the pain does not improve over time, it is best to see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. If there is any underlying medical condition, such as a heart condition, it is important to seek medical advice before receiving massage. Bruising and swelling are very likely to occur immediately following the injury, and the injured person may be unable to put weight on the affected leg. Pain/discomfort can be felt after the activity, and can last from between 2-5 days. Over pronation. Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0 Heel raises and calf stretches form the basis of these exercises and should be gradually progressed in number of repetitions and load before returning to sport. Causes: A calf strain occurs when the calf muscles are over stretched. Torn Calf Muscle Recovery Time. Are you struggling to make a comeback after tearing or straining your calf muscle? Want to save up to 30% on your monthly bills? It should not be administered during the acute stage. A physiotherapist or sportsmassage therapist or sports therapist can advise when exercise should be resumed and what exercise would be appropriate. The Achilles tendon attaches to the heel bone (the calcaneus). Listen to your body During a muscle strain, the muscle tissue fibers disengage and separate slightly. Strapping provides support. In most cases, people can treat a stretched calf muscle at home with a cool, warm compress and relaxed height. A calf strain occurs as a result of these muscles being torn or pulled. In a complete rupture the doctor might prescribe a cast to provide stability. A torn gastrocnemius muscle is a severe injury to the back of the calf area of the leg. A physiotherapist or sports massage therapist can recommend strengthening, flexibility and proprioceptive exercises in the sub-acute and the chronic stage of recovery. What are the Different Types of Calf Muscles? We know that it’s usually the S1 and S2 nerves in the spine that supply the calf muscle. It is vital that all patients with a potential calf muscle complete rupture seek physiotherapy or medical assessment as soon as possible to determine if the muscle is completely ruptured. These 3 muscles are referred to as âthe triceps suraeâ, and they attach to the Achilles tendon. The severity of these tears depends on the depth and suddenness of the stretch. A ruptured calf muscle occurs when a muscle is put under too much strain and the muscle fibers tear completely away from themselves or from the tendons that secure the muscles to bone. If the tear is not complete, your doctor will send you home with instructions for self-care using the RICE treatment protocol. Compression.Wrap the lower leg in an elastic bandage to reduce swelling and provide support for weakened muscles. In a grade 2 strain, recovery can take up to 5-8 weeks, and for grade 3 strains can take up to 3-4 months.Rest: to prevent further damage.In the sub acute (3 days to 3 weeks) and the chronic stage (3 weeks to 2 years) it is important that training should be adapted to avoid jumping or any exercises that put excessive strain on the gastrocnemius or soleus. Wearing inappropriate footwear. Insufficient warm up or cool down is a common cause of calf strain. Grade 3 calf strain : This is the most severe calf strain, with a complete tear or rupture of the affected muscle fibers. Thanks! Do this exercise 2 times a day. Repeat 4 times to strengthen your calf muscles. Significant improvement can be expected within the first two weeks, but full recovery can take up to 6-8 weeks. Symptoms of a torn calf that don't improve after a few days or start to worsen could be a sign of a more severe tear or a gastrocnemius muscle rupture. The pain due to torn calf muscles usually subsides after 2 days. Avoid activities that cause pain, swelling or discomfort. TRITEMP⢠is a commercial product, please fill in the details below to receive a quotation. It is therefore, worth consulting a podiatrist, who can perform gait analysis and advise on appropriate foot wear.Kinesiology taping aids recovery by assisting with lymphatic drainage, and the repair of damaged tissues. It is important to keep in mind that a ruptured calf muscle is different from a pulled muscle or muscle strain. They are responsible for extending the foot (plantar flexion) and bending the leg at the knee joint. Some can be treated with just the RICE treatment and sufficient time off the leg, and the muscle tissue will heal on its own after time. This can be caused by a sudden, abrupt movement or as a result of over use. For further advice on causes, symptoms and treatment, you can find out more advice about torn calf muscle injuries here. Not all ruptures require surgery to fix. In general, a person should have a full range of motion of the ankle and knee, a painless stretch of the calf, no tenderness of the muscle an… Calf problems - Muscle, bone and joint injuries | NHS inform The recovery time for a ruptured calf muscle will vary according to the severity of the injury and the injured person's ability to stay off the leg. Elevation.Elevate the leg at or above th… Medical advice should be sought, in case of possible side effects.Orthotics can prevent overprontation. The intensity of the exercises should be increased gradually and in a controlled way. For the first couple of days, follow the 4 steps known as RICE therapy to help bring down swelling and support the injury: Rest – stop any exercise or activities and try not to put any weight on the injury. The calf muscles are located on the back of the lower legs. To find out more, book an appointment online or call: 0808 656 9611. For immediate self-care of a muscle strain, try the R.I.C.E. As with most soft tissue injuries, the initial treatment is RICE – Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. Resistance bands are good for gentle stretching. This tool helps you do just that. Putting ice on the injured area may ease swelling. Cold therapy can be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every hour initially, reducing frequency as symptoms allow. Your calf muscles produce very high contractile forces that … These are called the gastrocnemius, which is the big muscle at the back of the lower leg and the soleus muscle, which is a smaller muscle lower down in the leg. Investigations, like X-rays, ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be necessary for the assessment. If you’re after the fastest way to heal a strained calf muscle, then physiotherapy may be able to … Ice.Apply ice to the calf muscle for 10 to 20 minutes at a time once every hour or as often as possible. Grade 2 calf strain: There is a partial tear of the affected muscle fibers, so you can't continue the activity. RICE stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation, and a ruptured calf muscle will need this treatment to keep swelling, bruising, and pain to a minimum. Ice should be applied to the ruptured calf muscle to reduce pain and swelling, and the injured person will need to rest the affected leg by keeping all weight off it. The aim is to reduce the bleeding and damage in the muscle. This is a treatment option for patients with more severe cases of ruptured muscle or torn ligament. Depending on how bad the torn calf muscle is, the recovery time could be between 3 weeks and 4 months. Your calf muscles are a large, powerful group of three calf muscles (soleus plus your medial and lateral gastrocnemius). They are responsible for extending the foot (plantar flexion) and bending the leg at the knee joint. In a Grade 3 degree strain: (a complete rupture). Massage can help aid recovery, and improve joint mobility and range of movement. They help to support the bones of the lower leg such as the tibia and fibula. Wikibuy Review: A Free Tool That Saves You Time and Money, 15 Creative Ways to Save Money That Actually Work. Avoid walking or other activities that cause pain. An excessive strain can tear this tissue so that any strength imparted by cohesion of the muscle fibers is lost. But don't avoid all physical activity. Use a cold therapy and compression wrap to minimise any bleeding within the muscle. 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. Pain on resisted plantar flexion (pointed toe) or when standing on pointed toes. To start, take a break from exercising for a few days, or until your pain goes away. Compression. Exercise 2 for recovering calf muscle tear. Torn calf muscle treatment. 4. Initially, patients begin with typical \"RICE\" treatments of: Once the earliest phases of treatment have completed, patients can begin therapeutic activities and gentle stretching. These 3 muscles are referred to as ‘the triceps surae’, and they attach to the Achilles tendon. 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. Even if you're seeking medical help, ice the area immediately. 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