1. The Strains of Being a Calf Muscle
The backs of our lower legs are made up of two muscles that comprise the calf: the two heads of the gastrocnemeius and the soleus. A calf muscle strain is a pull or partial tear of the small fibers of any of these muscles. There are three grades of calf muscle strain. Grade I is the least severe and involves the stretching of the muscle fibers, Grade II is partial tearing of the fibers and Grade III is a complete tearing of the muscle fibers.
2. How You Get a Calf Muscle Strain
You can get a calf muscle strain from doing a variety of activities: running, jumping, or playing sports like basketball, football or soccer. Overworking the calf muscle can also lead to a strain, like doing calf raises with weights without warming up properly. Any tightening of the calf muscle might lead to a strain; for instance, being out in cold weather might cause our muscles to tighten, so when we run or play sports in extreme cold we are at risk for a calf muscle strain. Once strained, the muscle will be painful, with weakness, tenderness or stiffness in the area. It will also hurt to push off that foot or stand on tiptoe.
3. Getting the Verdict on Calf Muscle Strains
In most cases, it's going to take a trip to an orthopedist to determine if the pain we are feeling is indeed a calf muscle strain. The doctor will take your medical history and ask what physical activity you were engaging in when the strain occurred. He will examine the calf for any visible signs of a strain such as bruising or swelling. He will also test the calf muscle against resistance to gauge pain and the severity of the strain. What appears to be a severe calf muscle pain can sometimes be a partially torn or torn Achilles tendon.
4. The Road to Recovery
Treatment for a calf muscle strain will depend on the grade of the strain. A Grade I strain will likely respond to rest and ice after a couple of weeks. Keeping the lower leg elevated, adding a compression and massage therapy will also help. For more severe strains, prolonged rest is required, and it's likely you'll need to wear a brace or a cast on the lower leg. Physical therapy may also be necessary for a complete recovery. Grade III strains may need surgery to repair the torn muscle fibers.
5. Calf Muscle Strains Are Not Inevitable
Don't let a calf muscle strain get you down or put you down. Prevent a strain by adequately stretching and warming up the calf muscles prior to any physical activity. If you're a runner, drink plenty of water before taking off; dehydration can lead to a calf muscle strain. Start a strengthening and flexibility program for your lower legs. And never overextend or push your calf muscles beyond their normal range or capability.
