Here are some facts about calf strain or also called “pulled calf muscles”
What is a calf strain?
A pulled calf muscle, or a calf muscle strain, occurs when the muscles in your calf — the soleus and gastrocnemius — get overstretched.
The calf muscles are in your lower leg behind your shin bone and extend from the base of your thigh down to your heel. They help you flex and bend your foot, ankle and knee. A calf strain can cause pain and prevent you from running, jumping and doing other activities.
The calf is made up of 3 muscles (medial & lateral gastrocnemius, soleus and plantaris), and injury can occur in any one, or combination of these muscles. The calf muscles perform an extraordinary job when we run: taking forces in excess of 3.5 times our bodyweight!
Calf injuries are common in recreational & competitive athletes in addition to those with physical jobs. They typically occur during sudden ballistic movements such as sprinting or jumping, and in sports or activities where these movements are common, such as tennis (this injury is often referred to as “tennis leg”), soccer, basketball, AFL and running up hills.
What are the symptoms of a calf strain?
A pulled calf muscle can cause:
- Difficulty tensing your calf muscles or standing on toes.
- Bruising on your calf muscle.
- Sudden pain in the back of your lower leg.
- Problems bending your knee.
- Swelling in your calf muscle.
- Snapping or popping sensation in your calf.
- Muscle pain when flexing your ankle or pointing your toes.
Most people recover fully from pulled calf muscles without any permanent damage. Once you’ve had a pulled calf muscle, you have a higher risk for future strains in that area. Reduce your risk of reinjury by allowing your injury to fully heal before getting back to normal activities.
Experiencing with this condition? Our podiatrist can provide the right treatment to help you go back to normal. ✅
Schedule an appointment here or you may call us at 44 (0) 207 101 4000. 📞
We hope you have a loveLEG day! 🦶☀️
-The Chelsea Clinic and Team
Read our article about ankle eversion injury here https://www.thechelseaclinic.uk/ankle-eversion-injury/
