Calf Injury
Lower leg or calf strain became known as ‘tennis leg’ because calf injuries were first described in 1883 in lawn tennis athletes - Alicia Filley
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Managing acute calf tears
Calf pain in runners is quite common and can become a persistent nuisance. Fortunately it usually responds well to treatment and there are a lot of simple exercises you can do to help it recover.
The calf is made up of 2 large muscles – gastrocnemius and soleus and a smaller muscle called plantaris. Gastrocnemius is the more superficial of the muscles with soleus sitting beneath it. Gastroc. has two heads to it and crosses both the ankle and knee joints – this makes it somewhat vulnerable to injury. Injuries to soleus are far more rare. In one study of 141 cases referred for ultrasound after calf strain just 1 had a soleus tear while 94 had gastroc injuries...
The calf…
Resources
Calf Strain: Rehab Exercises
Here are some examples of exercises for you to try. The exercises may be suggested for a condition or for rehabilitation. Start each exercise slowly. Ease off the exercises if you start to have pain.
Calf strain: what all athletes should know about diagnosis, treatment and recovery
Lower leg or calf strain became known as ‘tennis leg’ because calf injuries were first described in 1883 in lawn tennis athletes.
Is your calf pain due to a pulled calf muscle or something else?
Sudden calf pain during sport is often due to a calf tear or pulled calf muscle. A calf tear is also known as a calf strain or tennis leg as it is common in active people especially athletes. However, the cause of calf pain could be due to something else including Achilles tendon tear, blood clot, blood vessel swelling (also called an aneurysm), or Baker’s cyst.
Calf Strain Recovery Time
Each individual patient will experience a different recovery process. Techniques that work for one person may not work for everyone, so it is the doctor’s job to ensure that each patient is getting their needs met.
Are you struggling to make a comeback after a calf muscle strain?
When you tear a calf muscle, you literally tear some of the muscle fibres or cells. In order for you to get back full function of that muscle, it has to go through a 3 stage healing process.
Calf tears - what are they, why do they happen and what should you do?
All you need to know about this common running injury.
Gastrocnemius vs. soleus strain: how to differentiate and deal with calf muscle injuries
Calf strains are a common injury. The “calf muscle” or triceps surae consists of three separate muscles (the gastrocnemius, soleus, and plantaris) whose aponeuroses unite to form the Achilles tendon. The clinical history and physical exam along with imaging studies allow localization of the injured muscle.
How to rehab calf strains
Tweak your calf after some physical activity? Maybe you have pain behind your knee or right in the muscle belly of your calf. No worries, we’re here to help get you back on track teaching you how to rehab calf strains!
How to rehab calf strains in runners
‘Calf muscle strains’ are a common running injury. They can be debilitating, painful, and require reduced or complete cessation from running. Short and longer lasting episodes of pain can stem from injury to the calf musculature.
How to Self-Treat a Calf Strain/Pull
Gastrocnemius is the largest muscle on the outside of the calf. You’ll feel pain, soreness, and tightness deep within the muscles along the back of your lower leg. Performing a classic “calf stretch” will often provoke pain as will calf raises or vertical hops. Any motion that requires you to push off with your toes quickly and with any amount of force is likely to elicit pain.
How to take care of a pulled muscle
From minor strains to more serious injuries, rest and the right exercises will usually get you back on your feet and on the path to recovery.
Not the Plantaris – Keys to Better Diagnosis of Calf Strain Injuries
Calf muscle strains are frequent among both amateur and professional athletes. The injury is especially common among middle-aged tennis players, but also occurs with many other sports and activities.
Preventing and Treating Calf Injuries
The key is proper warm-up. And that's true for protecting any muscle or tendon.
Tennis leg (calf muscle tear)
A tennis leg is a very common injury and is associated with sudden high force trauma to the calf such as during a quick sprint or jump during sport or even, after an unexpected, quick calf stretch such as misjudging a step. A tennis leg can happen to anyone at any age however, the highest reported incidence rates are found within the sporting population and in middle aged men.
Tennis Leg (Gastrocnemius Strain or Tear)
In the calf there is sudden pain, which may feel like a blow on the leg from behind.
What You Should Know about Calf Muscle Tear
A calf muscle tear is one of the most common injuries in sports. Sometimes, the condition will be referred to as calf muscle pulling, in an effort to describe the process in which injuries to the calf muscle takes place. Usually, the condition involves the calf muscle being stretched forcibly beyond its normal limits and the tissues in the muscle eventually become torn.
Managing acute calf tears
Calf pain in runners is quite common and can become a persistent nuisance. Fortunately it usually responds well to treatment and there are a lot of simple exercises you can do to help it recover.
StatPearls
Calf injuries are quite common amongst athletes and involve the gastrocnemius, soleus, popliteal, and plantaris muscles. A gastrocnemius rupture can result in significant pain, limping, and swelling of the posterior calf as well as substantial functional impairment. Proper diagnosis of this injury from other injuries in this anatomical area of the lower leg is essential to efficient management and recovery in athletes.
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