Calf Strain (Rupture of the gastrocnemius or soleus muscle)

Symptoms of calf strain include:

A sudden pain at the back of the leg, particularly at the muscular tendinous junction (image).

Difficulty in contracting the muscle or standing on tip toe.

Pain and swelling or bruising in the calf muscle.

Pain on resisted plantar flexion or contracting the muscles against resistance (video)

The most common place to get this injury is at the muscular tendinous junction or MTJ (image) of the Gastrocnemius roughly half way between the knee and the heel.

If the Soleus muscle is damaged you might get pain lower in the leg and also pain when you contract the muscle against resistance with the knee bent. The Gastrocnemius muscle originates above the knee and inserts via the Achilles tendon into the heal. The Soleus originates below the knee and also inserts via the Achilles tendon.

A calf strain may be more likely in athletes who have tight calf muscles. A simple assessment can be done to determine if this is the case (video).

Treatment of calf strain

What can the athlete do?

Apply cold therapy R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) is essential. The sooner cold is applied the faster any internal bleeding may stop.

See a sports injury professional who can advise on treatment and rehabilitation.

Wear a heel pad to raise the heel and shorten the calf muscle hence taking some of the strain off it. It is a good idea to put heel pads in both shoes or one leg will be longer than the other creating an imbalance and possibly leading to other injuries including back injuries.

What could a sports injury specialist do

Prescribe anti-inflammatory medication e.g. ibuprofen which is beneficial in the first few days after the injury.

Use ultrasound treatment.

Use a compression device.

Use sports massage techniques after the initial acute phase.

Prescribe a full rehabilitation programme.

Once the initial healing has taken place it is essential the lower leg is fully strengthened in order to reduce the likelyhood that the injury will nor reoccur or have an adverse effect on future performances.

More detailed information on rehabilitation, stretching, strengthening and sports massage is available to subscribers including:

Phase 1 - what to do immediately following injury.

Phase 2 - From day two onwards. Which rehabilitation exercises can be done and when might they be started?

Phase 3 - Progressing from walking to full running.

Testing flexibility. How to tell if your calf muscles are too tight or there is an imbalance between legs.

Active stretching technique. What should it feel like and how long to stretch for.

Gastrocnemius muscle stretching

Soleus muscle stretching

Other methods of stretching the calf muscles.

Progressive strengthening exercises.

Using resistance bands.

Progressive resistance exercises using bodyweight.