Calf Strain

An acute simple calf strain can settle and you can return to sport if a concerted program has been completed over 3-4 weeks. If your practitioner find that there are contributing factors from your hip or spine then recovery may take longer and a program may need to be followed for your sporting season.

The symptoms of calf strain are:

• Sudden sharp pain at the back of the shin. Swelling will commence immediately
• Immediate loss of power
• Pain with walking in the acute phase (first 72 hors)
  

The most superficial of the two is the one commonly injured at an explosive or take off position and will often give you a sudden ‘shot in the leg’ sensation. Calf strains occur due to an inadequate warm up, fatigue, fauly biomechanics, poor footwear or lack of strength. There an also be involvement from you back (Lumbar Spine).

• R.I.C.E. regime – Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation in the acute stage (first 72 hours). This may continue for the first week if gentle exercise is allowed
• Calf exercise programs can commence after the first 72 hours of your injury if it is a low grade (Grd 1) injury. Grd 2&3 injuries will need a more concerted program over a 6-8 week period. We reccomened an individual assessment of how to perform the correct calf strengthening program.
• Your practitioner may refer you to a Sports Physician for further investigations if your calf strain does not respond in our suggested time frames