Muscle Strain of the Calf (Gastrocnemius / Soleus Strain)

Muscle Strain of the Calf (Gastrocnemius / Soleus Strain) Definition

Your calf is the large muscle on the back of your lower leg, below the back of your knee. It is the muscle that largely allows you to walk and stand on your toes, and it is commonly injured or strained with various activities.

Muscle Strain of the Calf (Gastrocnemius / Soleus Strain) Symptoms and Anatomy

The large muscle on the back of your lower leg below your knee is considered your calf muscle. It is commonly injured when someone is active, running or jumping for example.

The most common symptoms are:

• Pain when trying to walk

• Pain when trying to run

• Pain or tenderness when pressing on the muscle

Muscle Strain of the Calf (Gastrocnemius / Soleus Strain) Treatment Options

Treatment options largely depend on your mechanism of injury and how painful it is. If you are in excruciating pain, then it may be best to place you in a walking boot for a few weeks, which will allow the muscle to not be aggravated by walking and time to heal. Physical therapy may be scheduled if you are in a walking boot for an extended amount of time. If your pain is not that bad, it may be best for you to taking some anti-inflammatories, rest, ice, elevate, stretching and modify your daily activities.

Muscle Strain of the Calf (Gastrocnemius / Soleus Strain) Surgery

Surgery is usually not indicated for the type of injury.