Having adequate first aid information for calf strain injuries is important since it allows you to know the proper way in which this condition should be managed. Also known as a tennis leg, a calf strain injury results from the inflammation of the muscles located at the back of the lower leg. This results in inflammation of the muscles and this is what causes the pain. The most common cause of the strain results from overuse, especially in individuals who partake in sports that call for a lot of running and jumping.
These are not the only sports that calf strain injuries are limited to. They are also fairly common in soccer and tennis (hence the name tennis leg). This is due to the fact that all the sports aforementioned are known to exhibit sudden acceleration from a point of rest. The other piece of information for calf strain injuries that is very important is that these injures may be caused by failure to perform warm up exercises. The result is an abrupt over stretch of the muscles during any proceeding sporting activities.
What are the symptoms of calf strain injuries?
- The first and perhaps most obvious indication of a calf strain is pain in the back part of the lower leg. With intensified exercises, this pain becomes more obvious as a result of the inflammation. With increased sporting activity, there is spasmic pain. Additional information for calf strain symptoms is that with sudden strain, the tendons become the site for abrupt pain.
- In the morning, patients are likely to experience a throbbing ache with resulting weakness in the calf muscles. This is so intense at times that an individual cannot go back to normal sporting activity.
- The extent of injury gives proper insight into first aid information for calf strain. There are three categories of calf strain injuries as shown below:
- Grade 1 injuries which are generally a minor tear in the lower leg, but which does not prevent the individual from carrying out their sporting activities.
- Grade 2 is a more intense tear and will usually be accompanied by swelling.
- In Grade 3 injuries the muscle tear is more significant, has extreme pain and gives the calf an unusual look.
First aid information for calf strain injuries
- The first line of treatment has to be adequate rest to avoid additional activity that could result in extensive injury.
- The application of an ice pack on the affected region helps reduce swelling and inflammation. In fact, the first three steps for first aid are abbreviated RICE which stands for Rest, Ice compression and elevation (of the lower leg). The purpose of elevating the lower leg is to ensure that there is minimal blood flow to the injured calf strain which often aggravates inflammation.
- The patient may be given analgesics to relieve the pain.
- It is also advisable to use heel pads in order to provide support for the lower leg.
With this information for calf strain injuries, first aid techniques are easy to administer.