What is a Calf Strain?

Calf strain is a common muscle injury and if not managed appropriately there is a risk of re-injury and prolonged recovery. -	Calf muscle strain injuries occur commonly in sports involving high-speed running or increased volumes of running load, ac

Understanding your injury – Brisbane Physiotherapy Edition.

Overview of Calf Strain:

Description

- Calf strain is a common muscle injury and if not managed appropriately there is a risk of re-injury and prolonged recovery.

- Calf muscle strain injuries occur commonly in sports involving high-speed running or increased volumes of running load, acceleration and deceleration as well as during fatiguing conditions of play or performance.

- The calf consists of three muscles:

o   Gastrocnemius

o   Soleus

o   Plantaris

Calf strain is a common muscle injury and if not managed appropriately there is a risk of re-injury and prolonged recovery. -	Calf muscle strain injuries occur commonly in sports involving high-speed running or increased volumes of running load, ac

- Muscle strains commonly occur in the gastrocnemius as it is a bi-articular muscle (attaches across two joints). The knee and the ankle.

Presentation

- Mechanism or Injury occurs typically when the athlete attempts to accelerate from a stationary position or when lunging forward, such as when playing tennis or squash. Sudden overstretching of the calf muscle such as when an athlete runs onto a curb and the ankle drops suddenly is another common mechanism.

- Acute, stabbing or tearing sensation initially.

- Tenderness at the site of muscle strain

- Stretching the calf muscle reproduces pain.

- Resisted calf activation reproduces pain with reduced strength.

Calf Strain Management

Calf Muscle Strain

Treatment

- Acute Management (first 48hrs): RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevate)

- Soft tissue massage – calf and hamstring muscles

- Stretching

  • Gentle stretching of the gastrocnemius muscle to the level of feeling of tightness.

- Strengthening (should commence after 24 hours)

  • 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.

Nick Stamatiou

Nick has a strong interest in sports and musculoskeletal physiotherapy and is motivated to help people reach their desired goals and to achieve their full potential.

His experience includes:

  • Sports and musculoskeletal physiotherapist in a private practice setting

  • Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation inpatient physiotherapist at Brisbane Private Hospital

  • Clinical Reformer and Mat-work Pilates instructor

  • Football gameday physiotherapist

While Nick is skilled in managing all areas of musculoskeletal physiotherapy, he has a particular interest in the rehabilitation of muscle strains, hip, knee and lower back conditions. Nick offers dry needling, massage and joint mobilisation to compliment exercise prescription.

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