How to Tell If I Tore a Calf Muscle

A torn muscles is a painful injury, often suffered by athletes during periods of extreme exertion. When the muscle is asked to do too much, the fibers of the muscle can tear partially or fully, resulting in an extremely painful injury. Proper care and examination in the time immediately following the injury is an important step in ensuring that the injured individual receives the proper treatment to allow their injury to heal fully, so that it can function at full capacity in the future.

Things You'll Need

• Ice

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Instructions

• 1

  Check the injured calf for signs of swelling. A torn calf will often swell very quickly.

• 2

  Note any discoloration in the injured area. A tear can often lead to bleeding beneath the skin, which can lead to a red discoloration or a bruise.

• 3

  Ask if the individual is experiencing any pain while the muscle is at rest. A torn calf can be extremely painful, even if no weight is being put on the leg.

• 4

  Ask if the individual has experienced sharp pain when trying to use the muscle after the injury. Do not force the individual to put more weight on the leg once they are injured and off the leg.

• 5

  Ask the individual and any others around at the time of the injury if they heard a pop. A tear can produce an audible sound when it occurs, which can be heard if it happens amidst relative quiet.

• 6

  Ice the injured area to reduce swelling, as well as to numb the area slightly to help minimize pain.

• 7

  Take the individual to a doctor for a full examination and treatment if they exhibit the signs in Steps 1 through 5, or if they are unable to move the muscle on their own, a sign of a complete tear.