Rehabing a partially torn calf muscle

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   Our user asked: "I am looking for some suggestions on how to initially rehabilitate my left calf. I partially tore the medial head in my calf on Sunday, September 13. I have been on crutcehs since then letting the calf get some time to heal up on its own. I tried to schedule an appointment at a rehab center near me, but the earliest appointment i could get isn't for another week and a half. I was wondering if you have any suggestions or stretcehs that I can do to help start the rehab process."

Ask a PT Response: "The calf muscle is are made up of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. The gastrocnemius muscle is the more commonly injured muscle. It performs plantarflexion at the ankle and flexion at the knee. For my patients that have initially sustained this injury, I would start out with very low level exercises to help maintain range of motion and strength. Range of motion exercises include AROM ankle dorsiflexion/plantarflexion (ankle pumps) & knee flexion and extension, gentle PROM ankle dorsiflexion/plantarflexion. Gentle isometric strengthening exercises for ankle DF/PF are prescribed as well. Modalities such as ice and some manual therapy along with massage can be performed on these patients as well. As the patient continues to heal, exercises are progressed. I hope this helps and I wish you the best of luck with your recovery."

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Ask a PT Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: Jul 07 2008 Status: Offline Points: 954	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ask a PT Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Rehabing a partially torn calf muscle Posted: Sep 28 2009 at 8:41am
	Our user asked: "I am looking for some suggestions on how to initially rehabilitate my left calf. I partially tore the medial head in my calf on Sunday, September 13. I have been on crutcehs since then letting the calf get some time to heal up on its own. I tried to schedule an appointment at a rehab center near me, but the earliest appointment i could get isn't for another week and a half. I was wondering if you have any suggestions or stretcehs that I can do to help start the rehab process." Ask a PT Response: "The calf muscle is are made up of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. The gastrocnemius muscle is the more commonly injured muscle. It performs plantarflexion at the ankle and flexion at the knee. For my patients that have initially sustained this injury, I would start out with very low level exercises to help maintain range of motion and strength. Range of motion exercises include AROM ankle dorsiflexion/plantarflexion (ankle pumps) & knee flexion and extension, gentle PROM ankle dorsiflexion/plantarflexion. Gentle isometric strengthening exercises for ankle DF/PF are prescribed as well. Modalities such as ice and some manual therapy along with massage can be performed on these patients as well. As the patient continues to heal, exercises are progressed. I hope this helps and I wish you the best of luck with your recovery."

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