Sports injuries to the calf muscle can cause immediate pain and weakness, often taking players out of the game. The most common injuries include muscle bruises and strains. The sports that most commonly cause calf injuries include those that need bursts of speed, such as football, or those that involve close contact and kicking, such as soccer. Players can injure the large gastrocnemius or smaller soleus muscle in the calf. A significant muscle bruise or strain requires immediate treatment for swelling and pain relief.
Features
Bruises, also known as contusions, will show discoloration beneath the skin where the muscle was damaged and bleeding occurred, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons reports. They will be tender to the touch. Calf muscle strains might show redness and swelling along with distinct, localized pain. These muscles will hurt more when moving.
Identification
Unlike bone fracture diagnoses, identifying the exact location of bruises and strains isn't usually necessary to resolve the injuries. Swelling might be visible and pain might be specific enough to require treatment. The NYU Langone Medical Center notes that doctors might want to perform tests such as magnetic resonance imaging to determine the extent of a calf injury.
Effects
Mild or moderate bruises will "smart," but won't disable players in most cases, the AAOS reports. Severe bruises, however, might involve the bone as well as muscle tissue, and athletes might need pain relief or rehabilitation before resuming play.
Similarly, the degree of calf muscle strains will determine whether players can remain on their feet. The NYU Langone Medical Center points out that pain limitations make good safety boundaries. To avoid making injuries worse, individuals should not play through significant pain.
Solution
For a moderate to severe calf injury, the patient should seek pain relief immediately by sitting or lying down with the injured leg elevated and by taking medication such as ibuprofen or aspirin. The NYU Langone Medical Center also recommends periodic 20-minute ice applications as needed for pain relief. Patients can use wrap bandages for support, and should elevate the injured leg above the heart when resting. As pain and inflammation subside, patients should begin stretching and strengthening calf muscles with gradually increasing exercise.
Misconceptions
While rest relieves pain during the inflammation phase of a calf injury, patients should begin range of motion exercises as soon as possible. Too much rest or immobility can hinder rather than help healing muscles, the Cleveland Clinic reports. Even if athletes can't put weight on the injured leg, stretching and moving the rest of the body will prevent a loss of muscle tone and promote recovery.
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