Calf Muscle
Strain & Tears
at Foot Foundation
Calf injuries can be sudden and sharp or build up gradually, often stopping athletes and active individuals in their tracks. Whether it’s a mild strain or a more significant tear, these injuries require accurate diagnosis and structured rehabilitation to ensure full recovery and prevent setbacks.
At Foot Foundation, we specialise in getting patients safely back to activity by combining detailed assessment, tailored rehabilitation, and advanced therapies such as shockwave treatment. Our goal is not just recovery but long-term resilience, so you can move with confidence again.
What are Calf Muscle Strains & Tears?
The calf complex is made up of the gastrocnemius, soleus, and plantaris muscles, which play a vital role in walking, running, and jumping. A calf strain or tear occurs when these muscles are overstretched or overloaded, leading to microscopic fibre damage (strain) or partial/complete tearing.
Calf injuries are among the most common in both recreational and elite athletes, particularly in sports that require sprinting, explosive acceleration, or sudden changes of direction. They can also occur in everyday life, especially in middle-aged individuals during sudden activity.
At Foot Foundation, we provide specialist assessment, rehabilitation, and advanced therapies to optimise recovery and reduce the risk of recurrence.
Causes & Risk Factors
Sudden explosive activity – sprinting, football, tennis, netball, basketball
Overuse – repetitive loading during running or jumping
Tight or fatigued muscles – reduced flexibility or strength imbalances
Previous calf injury – major risk factor for recurrence
Age – middle-aged athletes more prone to calf injuries (“tennis leg”)
Biomechanics – flat feet, poor shock absorption, or abnormal gait
Inadequate warm-up – increasing strain on calf muscles
Footwear – unsupportive or worn shoes contributing to overload
Treatment at Foot Foundation
(CECS Focus)
Acute management – rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE), followed by structured rehab
Load management – staged return to walking, running, and sport
Manual therapy & massage – to reduce muscle tightness and scar tissue
Shockwave therapy – accelerates healing in persistent calf injuries
Exercise rehabilitation:
Early mobility and gentle stretching
Progressive calf raises (double → single leg)
Eccentric loading programs
Plyometric training for return to sport
Orthotics & footwear advice – optimise biomechanics and reduce strain
Return-to-sport progression – gradual, structured program to reduce reinjury risk
Symptoms
Sudden sharp pain in the back of the lower leg
Feeling of being struck or kicked in the calf at time of injury
Localised tenderness and swelling
Difficulty walking, especially on toes or pushing off
Bruising developing within hours to days
In severe tears: palpable gap in muscle or inability to bear weight
Recurrent strains present as repeated tightness or ache with activity
Diagnosis
At Foot Foundation, diagnosis includes:
Clinical assessment – palpation, range of motion, strength testing
Functional testing – calf raises, hopping, or running mechanics
Ultrasound or MRI referral – to confirm tear location and severity, rule out Achilles tendon rupture
Differential diagnosis – distinguishing calf strain from DVT (deep vein thrombosis), Achilles injury, or compartment syndrome
Calf Muscle Strains & Tears
– FAQs
They are caused by sudden overload or overstretching of the calf muscles, often during sprinting or explosive activity.
A strain is microscopic muscle fibre damage, while a tear involves partial or complete disruption of the muscle fibres.
A tear often feels like being hit in the back of the leg, followed by sharp pain, swelling, and difficulty walking.
Mild strains may heal in 1–2 weeks, while moderate to severe tears can take 4–8+ weeks depending on severity and rehabilitation.
Mild cases don’t always require imaging, but ultrasound or MRI is useful for confirming significant tears.
Yes. Orthotics improve foot alignment and shock absorption, reducing strain on the calf.
Yes. Shockwave therapy is effective in stimulating healing and reducing pain in stubborn or recurrent calf injuries.
Yes. Middle-aged athletes are especially prone due to reduced flexibility and tendon elasticity.
No. Continuing to train risks worsening the injury. A graded rehab program is essential.
If calf pain is sudden, recurrent, or interferes with sport or daily activity, podiatry assessment is recommended.
Why Choose Foot Foundation?
Foot Foundation provides specialist calf injury management, combining clinical expertise, shockwave therapy, orthotic support, and tailored rehabilitation to ensure safe recovery and reduced recurrence.
With clinics in Rosedale, Takapuna, Remuera, Botany, Hamilton, and Tauranga, expert calf injury care is available across New Zealand.
