Thigh muscle injuries and strains are common, especially among athletes. One of the most debilitating and excruciating things from a sports injury is a torn calf muscle. The big problem with this injury is that it's hard to tell the calf muscles are just straining or pulling. If you continue to use these muscles, they can tear. A torn calf muscle takes time to heal, and is very susceptible to re-injury. There are other problems and injuries that can cause calf pain, but if the pain is severe--or you hear a "pop" or "crack" sound from your foot--see a doctor immediately.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Recognizing a Torn Calf Muscle
Step 1. Understand what can cause injury to your calf
The “calf muscles” are actually made up of three muscles that attach to the Achilles tendon of the posterior lower leg. These three muscles are the gastrocnemius, soleus, and plantaris. Most injuries that occur to the calf are actually injuries to the gastrocnemius, which is the largest of the three muscles.
- The gastrocnemius crosses the knee and ankle joints. The gastrocnemius is composed of many fast-twitch muscle fibers. This combination puts the gastrocnemius at high risk of strain and tearing, because it is constantly undergoing rapid stretching and contraction.
- The soleus crosses the ankle joint. The soleus is composed mostly of slow-twitch muscle fibers. Because of this combination, the soleus is less likely to be injured than the gastrocnemius. However, the treatment for injuries to the soleus is often different.
- Plantaris has little to do with the calf. The plantaris is considered a large vestigial muscle. If the plantaris is injured, the treatment is the same as for injuries that occur in the gastrocnemius.
- The Achilles tendon connects these calf muscles to the heel bone. These tendons can also be injured and cause calf pain. Common injuries to the Achilles tendon include tendinitis or tendon rupture.
Step 2. Know what can cause tearing
A torn calf muscle is most likely to occur during strenuous exercise. This calf muscle tear usually occurs when you are exercising and changing direction quickly or accelerating. Typically, these injuries occur after sudden movements accompanied by increased muscle load, such as sports that require a spike in speed (eg hurdling, jumping, basketball, soccer).
- Contractions (which appear suddenly). A sudden spike in speed from a completely stationary position is a common cause of a calf tear. Short track sprinters are very susceptible to tearing the calf muscles. Sudden changes in direction, such as those that occur when playing basketball or tennis, can also cause tearing.
- Prolonged fatigue. Overtraining and overuse of the calf muscles are other common factors, which can eventually lead to tearing. This can be seen in runners and soccer players. Soccer players have contractions and run for a long time. The combination of these two factors makes these athletes very susceptible to tearing of the calf muscles.
- “Weekend warriors,” or people who are only physically active occasionally, often experience calf muscle tears. Men are more likely to experience this injury than women.
Step 3. Recognize the symptoms of a torn muscle
Symptoms of a torn calf muscle are usually more pronounced and obvious than symptoms of a muscle strain. These symptoms are often similar to those of an Achilles tendon rupture. Symptoms of this muscle tear include:
- feeling like you've been hit or kicked in the back of the leg
- you hear a “pop” or “crack” sound in your feet
- severe, sudden pain in the calf muscle (usually throbbing)
- pain and swelling in the lower leg
- bruising and/or discoloration
- limited range of motion in the ankle
- difficulty walking or standing on toes
- limp
Step 4. Rest your feet
Lower your legs, lift them up, and rest them. If your leg is very painful and begins to swell, you are almost certain to have a calf injury that requires medical attention. Your calf area may start to bruise, especially if there is a tear, as there will be some internal bleeding.
- If you hear a pop or notice swelling in your calf, visit the emergency department immediately. The injury you experience requires immediate medical attention.
- Swelling or bleeding in the area can cause a condition called compartment syndrome, which is a condition that occurs due to insufficient oxygen or nutrients reaching the muscles and nerves in the area due to increased pressure. This can occur after a fracture or severe muscle contusion, so if you think your injury is serious, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Eventually, you may need surgery if the condition later progresses to acute compartment syndrome.
Step 5. Call the doctor
It's important to be able to distinguish an injury to the specific muscles in your calf. You can't do this yourself. The doctor will perform tests, such as a medical exam and an MRI to determine the extent of the injury. If you think you have a calf muscle tear, see a doctor immediately.
If you try to diagnose and treat a torn calf muscle on your own, you could cause an even more serious injury
Step 6. Ask your doctor about tests to check for your injury
The doctor may order an ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the affected area.
- An MRI will use magnetic wave imaging and a computer to take 2-D and 3-D images of an area. This imaging is used to diagnose internal injuries, which cannot be demonstrated by simpler techniques, such as X-rays.
- The doctor may also order a magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) scan. This scan is a type of MRI that examines your blood vessels, often using a contrast dye to make the blood vessels more visible. An MRA can help detect if there is damage or entrapment of blood vessels, which can lead to conditions such as compartment syndrome.
Step 7. Follow the doctor's instructions
Usually, treatment of a torn calf muscle does not require surgery. It is very important to follow all doctor's instructions during the recovery period. If you don't follow it, you could suffer severe back injury or trauma. Be patient: this recovery period can take up to 8 weeks, and it may take several more months for your calf to feel completely normal again.
- Usually, immediate treatment involves rest, ice, compresses, and immobilization (using splints, etc.).
- Typically, recovery management will involve physical therapy exercises, massage, and the use of crutches (a walker).
Method 2 of 3: Checking for Other Causes of Calf Pain
Step 1. Recognize the symptoms of muscle cramps
Muscle cramps can cause severe pain in the lower leg that causes sudden muscle contractions. A strong, sudden, cramping or spasm in the lower leg is sometimes called a "charley horse." Although these cramps can be very painful, they usually go away on their own with minimal treatment. Symptoms of the charley horse include:
- Tight, hard calf muscles
- Sharp and sudden muscle pain
- “Bumps” or bulges in the muscles
Step 2. Treat muscle cramps
Muscle cramps and spasms tend to go away fairly quickly. You can speed up this recovery process by stretching and using heat (or cold).
- Stretch the affected calf muscle. You can do this by placing your weight on the leg that is cramping. Bend your knees slightly. Alternatively, you can sit with your cramped leg stretched out in front of you. Use a towel to gently pull the top of your leg toward you.
- Give it heat. Use a heating pad, hot water bottle, or warm towel to loosen cramped calf muscles. Taking a hot shower or bath can also help.
- Give me ice. Massaging your calves with ice or an ice pack can help relieve cramps. Apply ice for no more than 15-20 minutes at a time, and always wrap ice packs in a towel to prevent frostbite.
Step 3. Recognize the symptoms of tendinitis
Tendinitis is caused by inflammation of a tendon, one of the thick cord-like "cords," which connect muscle to bone. Tendinitis can occur anywhere tendons are found, but it usually occurs in the elbows, knees, and heels. Tendinitis can cause pain in the lower calf or heel. Symptoms of tendinitis include:
- Numbness, aching pain that gets worse when the joint is moved
- A “crackling” or aching feeling when the joint is moved
- Pain to the touch or redness
- Swelling or lump
Step 4. Treat tendinitis
Usually, treatment for tendinitis is simple: rest, take over-the-counter painkillers, ice the affected area, apply an elastic bandage (compression bandage), and remove the joint that has tendinitis.
Step 5. Recognize the symptoms of a strained soleus
The soleus muscle that is strained is less fatal than the gastrocnemius that is strained or torn. Often, these injuries occur in athletes, such as runners who train daily or long-distance runners. Usually, tension that occurs in this muscle includes the following symptoms:
- Tight or stiff calf muscles
- Pain that gets worse over a few days, or even weeks
- Pain that gets worse after walking or jogging
- Mild swelling
Step 6. Recognize the symptoms of an Achilles tendon rupture
Because the Achilles tendon connects the calf muscle to the heel bone, the Achilles tendon can cause calf pain when injured. Injuries to these tendons can occur when you do vigorous exercise, fall, fall into a hole, or jump improperly. You should seek immediate medical attention if you believe the Achilles tendon has ruptured, as this is a serious injury. Symptoms of a ruptured tendon include:
- a “pop” or “crack” sound in the heel (often, but not always)
- pain, often severe, in the heel area that can extend to the calf
- swollen
- inability to bend the leg downward
- inability to use the injured leg to “start walking” when you walk
- inability to stand on toes using the injured leg
Step 7. Identify risk factors for Achilles tendon rupture or tear
Knowing who is most at risk for an Achilles tendon rupture can help you determine if this rupture is causing pain or not. Those most at risk for an Achilles tendon tear or rupture include:
- Those between 30-40 years old
- Boys (5x more likely to rupture than girls)
- Those who exercise games that involve running, jumping, and sudden movements
- Those who use steroid injections
- Those taking fluoroquinolone antibiotics, including ciprofloxacin (Cipro) or levofloxacin (Levaquin)
Method 3 of 3: Preventing Calf Muscle Injury
Step 1. Stretch
According to the American College of Sports Medicine, you should stretch your muscles at least twice a week. You don't have to stretch before exercising. However, experts recommend that you stretch after exercise. Exercising that improves overall flexibility, such as yoga, will help prevent muscle injury.
- Try stretching with a towel to gently stretch your calves. Sit up straight with your legs stretched out in front. Place a towel around your feet and hold the edges of the towel. Gently pull your toes toward your body until you feel a stretch in your calf muscles. Hold for 5 seconds. relax. Repeat 10 times. Repeat for the other leg.
- Use an elastic band (resistance band) to strengthen your calves. Sit up straight with one leg outstretched in front of you. Point your toes towards your head. Wrap an elastic band around the leg and hold the ends. Push the elastic band toward the floor with your toes while maintaining the tension of the band. You should feel your calf muscles tighten. Back to its original position. Repeat 10-20 times for each leg.
Step 2. Warm up before exercising
Use dynamic stretching to warm up before exercising. Unlike static stretching, which is usually held in the same position for a minute or more, dynamic stretching is similar to the movement of the sport you perform. Usually, dynamic stretching is less intense.
- Try walking briskly, either outside or on a treadmill.
- Walking lunges, leg swings, and other movements that get the blood flowing are good warm-ups.
- You can also do exercise movements on an exercise ball, such as light stretching.
Step 3. Rest
Excessive use of the calf muscles or repeated tension of the calf muscles can create conditions suitable for calf muscle injury. Consider taking a break from your usual sport or activity and try a new exercise.
