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Calf Muscle Injury
Among the different kinds of injury occurring to the calf muscle, contusions are the commonly and most found types. In this kind of an injury, damage occurs to a muscle through impact. Among the other type of injuries calf strain are often than others.
What is a contusion?
This type of injury is very common in contact sports. An impact to the calf muscles can cause more damage than might be expected and should be treated with respect.
The muscle is crushed against the bone and if not treated correctly or if treated too aggressively then myositis ossificans may result.
There are two types of contusion:
Intra muscular
This is a tearing of the muscle within the sheath that surrounds it. This means that the initial bleeding may stop early (within hours) because of increased pressure within the muscle however the fluid is unable to escape as the muscle sheath prevents it.
The result is considerable loss of function and pain which can take days or weeks to recover. You are not likely to see any bruising come out with this type - especially in the early stages.
Inter muscular
This is a tearing of the muscle and part of the sheath surrounding it. This means that the initial bleeding will take longer to stop especially if you do not ice it. However recovery is often faster than intra muscular as the blood and fluids can flow away from the site of injury. You are more likely to see bruising come out with this one.
What are the symptoms?
- It hurts because you have been whacked in the leg
- You might get swelling or bruising
- Restricted movement is not uncommon
Like muscle strains, contusions are grade 1, 2 or 3 depending on the severity.
Grade 1:
- Tightness in the back of the lower leg
- You probably won't have much swelling
- You may be able to walk properly
Grade 2:
- You probably cannot walk properly
- You may get occasional sudden twinges of pain during activity
- You may notice swelling
Grade 3:
- You will be unable to walk properly without the aid of crutches
- You will be in severe pain
- You will have bad swelling appear immediately
Calf Strain
The calf muscles consist of the Gastrocnemius which is the big muscle at the back of the lower leg and the Soleus muscle which is a smaller muscle lower down in the leg and under the Gastrocnemius. Either of these two muscles can be strained or torn.
Symptoms include:
- A sudden pain at the back of the leg
- Difficulty in contracting the muscle or standing on tip toe
- Pain and swelling or bruising in the calf muscle
The most common place to get this injury is at the muscle - tendon junction (MTJ) of the Gastrocnemius roughly half way between the knee and the heel.
What can the athlete do?
- R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) is essential
- Wear a heel pad to raise the heel and shorten the calf muscle hence taking some of the strain off it.
- See a sports injury professional at the earliest