Calf muscle contusion

Symptoms of calf muscle contusion

• Pain at the site of the injury
• Swelling or bruising
• There may well be restriction of movement.

After two to three days check:

• If the swelling has not gone then you probably have an intra muscular injury.
• If the bleeding has spread and caused bruising away from the site of the injury then you probably have an inter muscular injury.
• If you are more able to contract the muscle you probably have an inter muscular injury.
• Can you feel a deformation in the muscle or a gap?

It is important you make the correct diagnosis because if you try to exercise on a complete rupture, or a bad intra muscular injury you can inhibit healing, make things worse or cause permanent disability. If you apply heat and massage in the early stages then you could get Myositis Ossificans (or bone forming within the muscle), then you are in trouble.

Like muscle strains, contusions are grade 1, 2 or 3 depending on the severity.

Grade 1: How does it feel?

• Tight muscles in the lower back of the leg.
• Difficulty in walking.
• There may not be much swelling.
• Going on tip toes doesn't produce much pain.
• Full range of motion or thereabouts.

Grade 2: How does it feel?

• You probably cannot walk properly.
• You may get occasional sudden twinges of pain during activity.
• You may notice swelling.
• Pressing in causes pain.
• Pushing up on tip toes causes pain.
• You may have limited range of movement.

Grade 3: How does it feel?

• You will be unable to walk properly without the aid of crutches.
• Severe pain.
• You will have bad swelling appear immediately.
• A static contraction will be painful and might produce a bulge in the muscle.
• Expect to be out of competition for 3 to twelve weeks.

Useful Products:

• Cold Therapy Wraps - help to ease pain and swelling.

Please see the Virtual Sports Injury Clinic for more information on how to treat Calf Muscle Contusion