Managing your Calf Strain
Treatment
- Acute Management (first 48hrs): RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevate)
- Soft tissue massage – calf and hamstring muscles
- Stretching
o Gentle stretching of the gastrocnemius muscle to the level of feeling of tightness.
- Strengthening (should commence after 24 hours)
o Concentric double leg calf strengthening exercises à concentric single leg calf strengthening exercises with gradual addition of weights à eccentric calf strengthening exercises gradually increasing speed then adding weights.
- Functional activities: stationary bike and swimming
Prognosis:
- Grade 1 calf strains usually return to sport in 10-12 days.
- Grade 2 calf strains usually return to sport in 16-21 days.
- Grade 3 calf strains usually take 6 months after surgery to return to sport.