These injuries are most often triggered by minor tears of muscle fibers.
Usually, the bulk of the muscle tissue remains intact.
How long acalf strainlasts depends on the severity and location of the injury.
Verywell / Kelly Miller
For a minor strain, healing may be as little as eight days.
For severe strains, healing may take six months or more.
This injury usually occurs between the knee and ankle.
When a muscle strain occurs, this part of the calf may become tender, taut, and swollen.
A calf strain can be quite painful.
The amount of pain depends on the severity and location of the injury.
The Achilles tendon connects your calf muscles to the heel bone in the lower part of the leg.
This is often called a “muscle strain.”
Muscle fibers can tear when a muscle is overstrained.
The muscle remains intact with less severe strains.
Calf strains are most common in males between the ages of 30 and 50.
Diagnosis of Calf Strains
A calf muscle strain is usually a clear diagnosis.
Rarely, there may be complete muscle rupture.
When this happens, surgery may be necessary to reattach the torn ends of the muscle.
Fortunately, this is rarely needed, even in patients with Grade III calf strain injuries.
Most patients can be treated successfully without surgery.
Activity modification is necessary to allow for proper healing and avoid re-injury during the early phase of recovery.
Common treatments used for calf strains include:
Recovery time depends on the severity of the injury.
The most common injury is a grade II calf strain.
These take about six weeks to completely heal.
Calf strain injuries don’t usually require surgery.
Unlike anAchilles tendon rupture, calf muscles don’t usually tear completely.
This means calf muscle strains should heal with noninvasive treatments rather than surgery.
An Achilles tendon rupture, on the other hand, may not completely heal without surgical treatment.
Avoid running or engaging in other strenuous movements until you no longer feel pain.
Summary
A calf strain is an injury that affects the muscles on the back of the leg.
The amount of pain depends on how severe the injury is.
Grade I strains only hurt a little.
Grade II strains are more painful and will limit your activities.
Grade III strains may impair your ability to walk.
Calf muscle strains are usually easy to diagnose.
Sometimes, though, calf pain may be due to something else.
If your pain doesn’t go away in a timely manner, see a doctor.
Activity modification and early soft tissue mobilization is the key to recovery.
Your physical therapist may also recommend ice, heat, and eccentric exercises.
Over-the-counter medication may help with pain and inflammation.
Recovery from a calf muscle strain depends on its severity.
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