How are pulled calf muscles treated?
After confirming you have a torn calf muscle, your healthcare provider may recommend a home treatment known as RICE:
- Rest: Once you feel calf pain, stop doing physical activity and rest your leg. Don’t push through pain, which can make the problem worse. You might be required to use crutches or wear a boot for several days.
- Ice: Put an ice pack or cold compress on your calf muscles for 20 minutes every two hours. Don’t apply ice directly to your skin.
- Compression: Apply a compression wrap or sleeve to your calf. Compression helps reduce blood flow to the painful area and minimize swelling.
- Elevation: Lift your leg into an elevated position, preferably above the level of your heart. Support the entire length of your leg with pillows, blankets or cushions.
Until you receive clearance from your healthcare provider, do not:
- Apply heat to the injured area.
- Massage your calf.
- Walk, exercise or perform physical activity.
You may also need to keep your injury immobilized and protected by wearing a soft cast or boot. Some people need crutches or an assistive device to move around as their injury heals.
After several weeks of RICE, your provider may recommend physical therapy. Therapy can help you regain strength and flexibility in your calf muscle. It can also help you get back to everyday activities, such walking up stairs or pressing down on the gas pedal in your car, with less pain.
Will I need surgery for a calf muscle tear?
You may need surgery for a calf muscle tear if you:
- Are young and want to return to competitive sports and high-impact activities.
- Continue to experience calf pain several months after trying nonsurgical treatments.
- Have a complete muscle tear with serious swelling or internal bleeding.
During surgery to repair a calf muscle tear, you receive general anesthesia. Your surgeon makes an incision (cut) in your calf and reattaches the two ends of the ruptured muscle with stitches. You may need to stay in the hospital for a few days after your procedure.
Most people wear a cast on their entire leg for about three weeks after surgery. You might also wear a cast below the knee for an additional three weeks. Once the cast is off, your healthcare provider will tell you when you can resume light physical activity and start physical therapy.
