Calf Strain
A calf muscle strain is a common injury that can occur when you overdo it physically—whether by stretching too far, changing direction or speed abruptly, landing awkwardly, or colliding with another player during a sporting event. A calf strain is a common injury in sports that involve sudden bursts of speed, such as soccer, running, and hockey.
A calf strain usually causes acute pain and occurs during strenuous activity; however, it can develop over days or weeks. Although calf strains often take a long time to recover and the rate of recurrence is high, the long-term outcome after a calf strain injury is usually excellent and complications are few.
Risk factors
Factors that increase the risk of calf strains include:
- Previous calf injury
- Increasing age
- Sudden change in direction acceleration or deceleration
- Poor strength and flexibility
- Calf muscle fatigue
- Inappropriate or inadequate warm-up
SSPT’s approach to treating a calf strain
The treatment of a calf strain depends on the severity of the injury. When physical therapy is initiated, treatment for your calf strain may include:
- Modalities such as electrical stimulation, ice, or ultrasound to help reduce pain
- Gait analysis and instruction in proper biomechanics
- Joint and soft tissue mobilization
- Therapeutic exercises to restore flexibility and strength
Learn more about other foot and ankle conditions:
