Other types of healthcare professionals who could help diagnose and treat musculoskeletal injuries include osteopaths, chiropractors, physiotherapists and massage therapists. However, you should always start with your doctor, as he can also rule out other, potentially serious causes of pain, such as blood clots, vascular injury, baker’s cysts, or a potential surgical emergency like compartment syndrome.
X-rays, bone scans, MRI, CT scan and ultrasound are modalities that specialists may use to help diagnose your lower leg pain. [3] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Calf muscle injuries are relatively common among those who play tennis, basketball, football, soccer and volleyball, as well as those who run track and field.
Research calf injuries on the internet (only medically reputable sites) in order to flesh out your understanding of the condition and learn more about treatments and their expected outcomes. Factors that can predispose someone to a muscle strain (or “pull”) include older age, previous muscle injury, less flexibility, lack of strength in the muscle and fatigue.
Muscle strains occur when the force in the muscle is so great that the tissue tears, most commonly at the junction between where the muscles taper into tendons. Most Grade I lower leg strains cause discomfort for between two to five days post injury, but may take a few weeks to fully heal, depending on proportion of muscle fibers involved and the type of treatment sought.
Don’t tie the compression bandage too tight or leave it on for more than 15 minutes at a time because complete restriction of blood flow could cause more damage to your leg.
Don’t tie the compression bandage too tight or leave it on for more than 15 minutes at a time because complete restriction of blood flow could cause more damage to your leg.
Don’t tie the compression bandage too tight or leave it on for more than 15 minutes at a time because complete restriction of blood flow could cause more damage to your leg.
Don’t tie the compression bandage too tight or leave it on for more than 15 minutes at a time because complete restriction of blood flow could cause more damage to your leg.
Don’t tie the compression bandage too tight or leave it on for more than 15 minutes at a time because complete restriction of blood flow could cause more damage to your leg.
Don’t tie the compression bandage too tight or leave it on for more than 15 minutes at a time because complete restriction of blood flow could cause more damage to your leg.
Don’t tie the compression bandage too tight or leave it on for more than 15 minutes at a time because complete restriction of blood flow could cause more damage to your leg.
Keep in mind these medications are hard on your stomach, liver and kidneys, so they should be taken for no more than two weeks at a time unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
Warming up then stretching your calf muscles prior to any athletic activity may help prevent injuries such as strains, sprains and muscle cramps.
With Grade II strains, there’s limited ability to perform activities, especially jumping and running, so you’ll be sidelined for a while (a few weeks or more). The gastrocnemius muscle is considered at high risk for strains because it crosses two joints (knee and ankle) and has a high proportion of type-2 fast twitch muscle fibers. The medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle is strained more often than the lateral head.
With Grade II strains, there’s limited ability to perform activities, especially jumping and running, so you’ll be sidelined for a while (a few weeks or more). The gastrocnemius muscle is considered at high risk for strains because it crosses two joints (knee and ankle) and has a high proportion of type-2 fast twitch muscle fibers. The medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle is strained more often than the lateral head.
With Grade II strains, there’s limited ability to perform activities, especially jumping and running, so you’ll be sidelined for a while (a few weeks or more). The gastrocnemius muscle is considered at high risk for strains because it crosses two joints (knee and ankle) and has a high proportion of type-2 fast twitch muscle fibers. The medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle is strained more often than the lateral head.
Most Grade II lower leg strains cause significant discomfort for between one to two weeks post injury, depending on proportion of muscle fibers involved and the type of treatment sought. These types of muscle injuries may require one to two months before a complete return to athletics occurs. For moderate to severe muscle strains, the use of anti-inflammatories should be restricted in the first 24 – 72 hours due to increased risk of bleeding from the anti-platelet (blood thinning) effect. [12] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
Most Grade II lower leg strains cause significant discomfort for between one to two weeks post injury, depending on proportion of muscle fibers involved and the type of treatment sought. These types of muscle injuries may require one to two months before a complete return to athletics occurs. For moderate to severe muscle strains, the use of anti-inflammatories should be restricted in the first 24 – 72 hours due to increased risk of bleeding from the anti-platelet (blood thinning) effect. [12] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
Most Grade II lower leg strains cause significant discomfort for between one to two weeks post injury, depending on proportion of muscle fibers involved and the type of treatment sought. These types of muscle injuries may require one to two months before a complete return to athletics occurs. For moderate to severe muscle strains, the use of anti-inflammatories should be restricted in the first 24 – 72 hours due to increased risk of bleeding from the anti-platelet (blood thinning) effect. [12] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
Return to full activity is usually allowed when you’re pain free, have full range of motion of your lower leg and full strength of your calf muscles, which may take a few weeks or more. Calf strains are most common in men between the ages of 30 and 50 years.
A sudden tendon rupture (such as the Achilles tendon) is often excruciating and feels like someone has shot you from behind or struck you with something sharp. A severely strained calf will likely cause bruising, which will settle into your foot and turn it black and blue.
In the case of complete ruptures, the calf muscles take about 3 months or so to heal following surgery and rehabilitation. [15] X Research source Post surgery, you’ll likely wear a supportive compression boot and have to use crutches over the short term before progressing to physical therapy exercises.
Poor biomechanics or foot posture contribute to calf injuries, so you may be fit with custom foot orthotics after your rehabilitation to prevent further problems.
