Injury to a calf muscle can range from a strain or pull that you can treat at home to a more serious tear that may need a doctor’s care.
Treatment for a Calf Muscle Injury
Treatment may include physical therapy or surgery.
What are the Symptoms of a Calf Muscle Injury?
The symptoms depend on how badly you have injured the muscle.
If the injury is only a strain, you may feel a strong pulling in your lower leg. It may be uncomfortable. You may have a twinge of pain.
More serious muscle tears will cause very sharp pain and leave you barely able to walk.
What Causes a Calf Muscle Injury?
A calf injury is most often caused during sports where you need to push off with your foot quickly for a sudden burst of speed.
The sudden movement can stress the calf muscle, stretching it beyond its normal limits. This can happen suddenly (acute injury) or over time (overuse injury).