Two main muscles form the calves in the backs of the lower legs, the large gastrocnemius and the smaller soleus muscle that attaches just below the knee. Both muscles run through the Achilles tendon to the heel and are subject to muscle strain from overuse or injury. According to the SportsInjuryClinic.net, calf muscle strains are graded from one to three and each type of strain requires a slightly different rehabilitation focus.
Symptoms
With a grade one strain, you may be able to continue with your same activity level with slight tightness and pain that lasts two to five days. It usually brings a tinge of pain that you may be able to play through. Grade two strains have sharper pains that may last for up to a week. There may be bruising and swelling associated with the discomfort. Immediate, severe pain is indicative of a grade three strain that also displays considerable bruising and swelling. A complete rupture causes the muscles to bunch up on the back of the leg.
Treatment
Before you can begin rehabilitation from the strain, you must treat the condition first. According to the SportsInjuryClinic.net, ice or cold compresses can reduce swelling and should be coupled with rest, elevation and compression. A sports massage therapist can manipulate the muscles at the scene if you receive the strain during an athletic competition. Anti-inflammatory, over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen also can relieve swelling and pain so that you can begin a rehab process.
Features
Initial rehabilitation exercises should start easy featuring gentle pulls that cause no additional pain, according to University Sports Medicine. A towel works effectively for the first stages of calf muscle strain rehabilitation. Perform early stretches sitting down with your injured leg extended. Wrap the towel around your upturned foot and gently tug it towards your body. As the stretching begins to strengthen the muscles, you can move on to more intense rehab exercises performed while standing or with other tools such as exercise resistance bands and weighted pulley machines.
Consequences
With appropriate treatment when the muscles first become injured, and followed by rehabilitative exercises geared toward the specific muscle strain, you should expect successful healing. According to the Harvard Medical School, grade one strains should heal within a couple weeks while you may need to continue with rehab for two or three months following a grade two strain. Grade three strains may require surgery before you can begin rehab.
