How do you treat tennis calves?
You can apply ice or a cold pack directly to the painful area for 20 minutes or submerge your lower leg in a bucket of cold water and ice for 10 minutes. Repeat this several times a day. Do not place an ice pack on the bare skin. Place a towel between the skin and the ice pack to avoid a cold burn from the ice pack.
What happens if you run with a calf strain?
You will need to rest if you have calf strain. If you continue to run you will not give the calf muscles a chance to repair themselves. Depending on the severity of the strain, the pain may not allow you to run anyway. In severe cases you may need a period of immobilisation.
How long does it take to recover from tennis leg?
How do we treat tennis leg? Tennis leg is routinely treated conservatively, under the management of a physiotherapist. Most patients respond well to physiotherapy with resolution of symptoms and return to exercise in 6-12 weeks depending on the extent of the tear.
How long does it take for a calf strain to heal?
In the less severe cases it usually takes up to three days for a pulled calf muscle to start feeling better. In the most severe cases that don’t require surgery a full recovery may take up to six weeks. In the case that the injury requires surgery the recovery period may extend up to six months to a full year.
How do you know if you tore your calf muscle?
What are the symptoms of a pulled calf muscle?
- Difficulty tensing your calf muscles or standing on toes.
- 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.
Can a calf tear heal on its own?
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.
How do runners avoid calf injuries?
Fix a Calf Strain
- Dynamic rest. Avoid lower-leg work as much as possible.
- Ice it. Ice the muscles for 15- to 20-minute stretches during the first 24 hours to help reduce pain, inflammation and muscle spasm.
- Try a compression bandage.
- Elevate it.
- Shorten the muscle.
- Try an NSAID.
- Work on flexibility.
Should you massage a calf strain?
The No HARM Protocol should also be applied – no heat, no alcohol, no running or activity, and no massage. This will ensure decreased bleeding and swelling in the injured area.
How do I know if I tore my calf muscle?
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.
Why does my calf hurt when I play tennis?
‘Tennis leg’ is an incomplete rupture of the inside of the calf muscle (Figure 1 and 1a). It is a typical tennis injury that often occurs in players in the 35 to 50 age group. This muscle injury may occur as a result of a sudden contraction of the calf muscles, for instance during a sprint.
Is walking good for calf strain?
Severe swelling can make any pain and discomfort last a bit longer. Walking on recovering calf muscles can also increase recovery time.
What does a grade 3 calf strain feel like?
Someone who experiences a grade three calf strain will experience immediate and excruciating pain. They will be unable to continue the activity, and may not be able to move their calf muscle at all. If this is the case, visiting a doctor is the only option, and surgery is quite likely.
What are the symptoms of a pulled calf muscle?
Symptoms of a pulled calf muscle can depend on the severity of the injury. A mild strain can leave you with pain and feelings of pulling within the lower half of your leg. You can still walk with a mild strain, but it may be uncomfortable. Other signs of a pulled calf muscle include: mild swelling. redness. bruising.
What is Grade 2 calf strain?
Grade Two. A grade two calf strain covers quite a broad range of damage, as any calf strain that tears between 25% and 90% of the muscle fibres will be classified as a grade two.
What are the best exercises for muscle strain?
Seated Calf Stretch. This is one of the calf strain exercises that allows for a gentle stretch of the injured muscle. It enables many sufferers to improve their range of motion. Still, it should only be performed after the acute pain has started to subside. For this exercise, sit on the floor with your injured leg out in front of you.
What is a popped calf muscle?
The popping sensation or sound in the calf muscle can indicate a tear. This injury is often accompanied by pain and bruising. A tear can involve the Achilles tendon and each contraction of the calf muscle; the Achilles tendon and the heel are pulled upwards.