Pulled Calf Muscle (Strain) - Sub-acute Phase

Below you will find advice as to how to deal with this injury – by becoming a member, you can
also access all our video advice.

Remember to have this confirmed by your sports doctor, or sports therapist.

You can diagnose other running injury’s here.

  • Step 1
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  • Step 3
  • Step 4 - current step

Follow the information and Video advice below

Pulled Calf Muscle (Strain) – Sub-acute Phase

  • A calf strain may be considered sub-acute when you can weight bear fairly well, but you are still not able to run, and should not run.
  • You may have just injured the calf, or it may have been acute and is now healing (after 2days to 2 weeks).
  • Rehabilitation at this stage concentrates on support of the injury, whilst you begin to start stretching and very gently strengthening the calf.
  • Perform the ‘IMPORTANT’ and ‘OPTIONAL’ video advice below.
  • Perform the ‘ESSENTIAL CHECKS’ videos below, which assess if you need orthotics, how stable your hip muscles are (if they are not, then click here),  if there is a difference in your leg lengths, whether you need new shoes, if your core stability is strong enough (if it isn’t, then click here).
  • Before following the rehabilitation advice, read our treatment precautions here.
  • Replace the icing with contrast hydrotherapy (see videos below).
  • Compression of the calf which can be done at the same time as taping which restricts the movement of the calf will help (see videos below).
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen help reduce the pain and inflammation.
  • Acupuncture can help.
  • Once you can walk with no pain, you can proceed to STAGE 3 of rehabilitation.

Attention!

If you have a lot of bruising in the back of the knee and the ankle, and you find it difficult to bear weight on the leg, you may have a ruptured muscle. Ensure you seek advice from your doctor or sports therapist.