A work related calf injury can be painful and limit your ability to move around. When every step causes pain, you’ll work more slowly (when you can work at all). For many, even standing with a calf injury can be intensely uncomfortable.
Calf injuries can occur for a wide variety of reasons and in all kinds of workplaces. Some calf injuries can present suddenly (and unmistakably). Others may become noticeable only gradually. In either case, a calf injury can negatively impact your ability to perform your work, earn a living, and enjoy your life.
That’s why it’s important to talk to a work injury doctor as soon as possible. With the right treatment, you can get back to moving without pain and finding joy in your daily activities.
Common Types of Calf Injuries
Every workplace injury is going to be different, and that holds true for your work related calf injury as well. The type of trauma or specifics of the injury will determine your ability to heal and the course of any treatment.
However, there are some common types of calf injuries that occur in the workplace. Some of the most common work related injuries include the following:
- Calf strains: There are two primary muscles that compose the calf (the gastrocnemius and the soleus). Strains can occur in either of these muscles, though they are usually more often associated with the gastrocnemius (which makes up the majority of your visible lower leg muscle). Strains happen because the fibers of these muscles become overstretched and begin to tear, resulting in significant pain. Calf strains are typically measured as either grade 1, grade 2, or grade 3, with grade 3 being the worst. Grade 3 strains involve a complete rupture of the muscles and will often require months of recovery.
- Muscle bruise: Your lower leg is mostly muscle. So, when your calf experiences trauma, bruises may result. Falls and slips, for example, can often lead to badly bruised muscles. When they are sufficiently deep, these bruises can be extremely painful and require a significant timespan for healing.
- Tear or Rupture of the Achilles Tendon: The Achilles tendon is the longest tendon in your entire body. It runs from your foot all the way up into your calf. Typically, the Achilles tendon helps you walk and run. But when it’s injured, the Achilles tendon can become inflamed–and cause a significant amount of pain when you move. This pain can occur even when you’re standing. Overuse and strain can sometimes cause Achilles tendon ruptures and tears.
- Tennis calf: Tennis calf is a condition caused by an inflammation of muscles or by a collection of fluid in the calf. Sometimes this can be work related–in other cases it may not be. Your work injury doctor may be able to help identify the cause of your tennis calf and, as a result, find appropriate treatment options.
Calf Pain and Deep Vein Thrombosis
Most of these injuries present as calf pain. Sometimes the pain is sharp. In other cases, it may feel like a dull ache. It’s important to bring your calf pain to your provider’s attention. That’s because deep vein thrombosis (DVT), also known as a blood clot, can present in much the same way as some of these injuries.
So, if you have unexplained calf pain, it’s a good idea to check in with your provider or a work injury doctor to eliminate the possibility of a blood clot.
How to Prevent Calf Injuries
As with all workplace injuries, safety is about minimizing risk. Even in a perfect world, calf injuries will still sometimes occur. But there are many ways you can lower your chances of sustaining an injury. This could include:
- Ensuring that you wear proper footwear at your job. Appropriate footwear will help prevent the slips and falls that can cause calf injuries.
- If you will be using your legs on the job (for example, for walking or lifting), it’s a good idea to do some calf-related stretches before that activity begins.
- Follow all workplace safety protocols. The safer you are, the less likely you are to sustain a traumatic injury.
By lowering your risk of injury, you give yourself the best possible shot of avoiding a calf injury altogether.
How a Work Related Calf Injury is Treated
The treatment for any work related calf injury will depend on the nature of the injury itself. If you notice pain in your calf related to your job, you should see a work injury doctor immediately. At Diaspo, we’ll work with you to develop a customized and unique treatment plan designed to help you heal as quickly and fully as possible.
At Home Treatments
Part of your treatment plan may include at-home remedies. This may include:
- Movement: You should dial back your activity levels to let your calf rest, but it’s a good idea to stay moving to the point that you can tolerate.
- Rest: Your work injury doctor may suggest you rely on the RICE protocol, which involves both rest of the muscle and icing to control swelling.
- Stretching: Try to engage in some light stretching to keep your calf muscle from getting too stiff and tight.
- Medicate: Use over-the-counter pain medication to help manage discomfort. However, make sure to talk to your work injury doctor about this, as OTC pain medication can mask symptoms and damage. Taking OTC pain medication for too long could actually make your injury worse.
Physical Therapy for Calf Injuries
In order to help you more successfully recover from your work related calf injury, your work injury doctor may also recommend physical therapy. That’s because physical therapy can lead to faster healing and may even prevent the need for surgery down the road.
In general, physical therapy for calf injuries will consist of:
- Muscle strengthening exercises.
- Exercises designed to improve your range of motion.
- Progressive stretching that can help improve the flexibility of your calf as you heal.
Calf Injury Care
If you have a work-related calf injury, it’s a good idea to seek out medical attention as quickly as you can. The sooner you get the right diagnosis, the faster you’ll be able to find the right treatment.
At Diaspo, we have decades of experience helping patients recover from workplace injuries. With the right treatment, you can improve your mobility, decrease your pain, and get back to the activities you love.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
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