Calf Strain Treatment & Recovery

How to identify, treat, and recover from lower leg muscle injuries with Radius Physical + Sports Rehab

Calf injuries are among the most common soft tissue injuries we see at Radius—especially in runners, weekend warriors, and active adults across Nevada City and Grass Valley. If you've felt a sharp pain or a "pop" in your lower leg, you may be dealing with a calf strain, a condition that can severely limit your ability to walk, run, or train—until properly diagnosed and treated.

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What Is a Calf Strain?

A calf strain is a partial or complete tear of the muscles at the back of the lower leg—most commonly the medial head of the gastrocnemius. These muscles are key to explosive movements like sprinting, jumping, and climbing. Calf strains often occur during:

• High-speed running

• Sudden acceleration or deceleration

• Extended periods of fatigue

• Athletic activities involving quick direction changes

At Radius, we frequently help patients who report feeling like they were "kicked" in the back of the leg or heard a distinct pop at the time of injury.

Symptoms of a Calf Strain

Common signs include:

• Sudden, sharp pain in the lower leg

• Swelling or visible bruising

• Pain when rising onto your toes

• Tenderness to the touch

• Difficulty walking or bearing weight

Whether you're recovering from a sports injury or workplace injury, getting the right diagnosis early is key to faster healing.

Calf Strain Grades & Healing Times

Understanding the severity of your strain helps us determine your treatment plan. Here's how we typically categorize calf strains:

Grade 1 Strain

• Minor tear; mild discomfort

• Little to no loss of strength or motion

• Recovery: 1–3 weeks

Grade 2 Strain

• Moderate tear; pain, swelling, bruising

• Reduced strength and range of motion

• Recovery: 3–6 weeks

Grade 3 Strain

• Full rupture; severe pain, swelling, loss of function

• May require surgery and long-term rehabilitation

• Recovery: 6 months to 1 year

Should You Run with a Calf Strain?

In the early phase of injury—no. Running on a strained calf can cause further damage and delay healing. Once swelling subsides and healing begins, your Radius provider will guide you through a graded return-to-run plan based on your diagnosis, muscle function, and pain levels.

We use evidence-based rehab strategies tailored to your functional movement needs, sport, and recovery timeline.

Calf Strain Treatment in Nevada City & Grass Valley

At Radius Physical + Sports Rehab, we follow the PEACE & LOVE protocol to support both acute care and long-term recovery:

PEACE (early stage):

• Protect

• Elevate

• Avoid anti-inflammatory modalities

• Compress

• Educate

LOVE (healing stage):

• Load (graded exercise)

• Optimism (realistic healing outlook)

• Vascularization (blood flow/movement)

• Exercise (progressive rehab)

We create custom rehab programs for each patient using this framework, supported by:

• Manual therapy

• Joint mobilization

• Shockwave therapy (if indicated)

• Functional strength training

• Return-to-sport progression

When to Seek Expert Help

While mild calf strains can often be managed at home, Grade 2 and Grade 3 strains should be evaluated by a musculoskeletal specialist. Early diagnosis helps prevent reinjury, manage scar tissue, and restore full muscle function.

At Radius, our team includes experts in:

• Sports chiropractic

• Functional rehabilitation

• Soft tissue therapy

• Athletic injury prevention

• Post-surgical recovery support

Why Choose Radius Physical + Sports Rehab?

We’re proud to serve the Nevada City and Grass Valley communities with comprehensive injury diagnostics, individualized care plans, and patient-first rehabilitation. Whether you're a local athlete, active parent, or just trying to walk pain-free again, our team is here to help you recover quickly and fully.

📅 Ready to get back on your feet?
Schedule your appointment with Radius Physical + Sports Rehab today. We offer in-person and Telehealth visits for calf strain evaluation and recovery programs.