Calf Muscle Strain

A strained calf muscle is a partial tear of the small fibers of the calf muscles. The calf muscles are located in the back of your lower leg. This is a common injury in sports which is also known as 'Pulled Calf' or 'Gastrocnemius Strain'. The term 'pulled Calf muscle' comes from the description of how the injury takes place. Pulls and tears represent different degrees of the same injury as muscles are suddenly over-stretched beyond their limits. The degree of overstretching determines whether the muscle is pulled or actually torn.

A calf strain can be caused by:

• Stretching the calf muscles beyond the amount of tension or stress that they can withstand
• Suddenly putting stress on the calf muscles when they are not ready for the stress
• Using the calf muscles too much on a certain day
• A blow to the calf muscles

SOURCES:

Sports Injuries: Basic Principles of Prevention and Care. Blackwell Scientific Publications, 1993.
\"Hamstring Strains: Expediting Return to Play.\" The Physician and Sportsmedicine, August 1996.
American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine and Athletic Trauma