The calf muscle
is made up of three muscles. It is located at the back
of the lower leg. The
two heads of the gastrocnemeius and the soleus. Usually runners
complain of a dull aching pain and in severe cases a sharp
intense pain.
How It Affects The Patient
If you have a partial
tear or complete rupture of the calf muscle then running will
be impossible for four to twelve weeks depending on the injury.
If you are suffering from inflammation of the muscle then
you can resume training after seven to ten days.
Causes
Ineffective warm
up and warm down routines can lead to calf strains. Excessive
hill work and a sudden increase in mileage can cause a calf
strain.
Calf strains can
be caused by dehydration. Many runners do not adequately hydrate.
Deficiencies in calcium, trace minerals and magnesium can
also lead calf strains. Therefore we would recommend to ensure
adequate water intake and multi minerals.
One of the most
common causes is a condition called over pronation. This basically
means that your feet are rolling over too much as you run
which causes excessive pressure on the calf muscle and achilles
tendon.
Treatment
Initial
treatment should consist of an ice pack. Some runners prefer
to use a wet towel that has been in the refrigerator. Anti-inflammatory
such as Ibrobrufen will help to reduce the swelling. Please
note this should be taken with meals and never before running.
It is
better for a patient to have a complete rest for five days
for a mild calf strain and then a gradual increase in mileage.
A one piece calf sleeve provides support and compression to
the calf muscle to aid recovery. Also, massaging the calf
helps to speed up recovery.
Exercise
