severe calf pain

[bea777]

How do I treat the calf pain at home?  I went to excercise and I believe I pulled a muscle, I heard a pop.  Extreme pain. I limped home and now I am laying down with ice on it and moving my ankle around so I don't become stiff.  Is this the right thing do do?

[Tuckamore]

Hello Bea,

Welcome to the Pain Management Forum. Ouch, I pulled a calf muscle once playing softball and I know how painful that can be.

I hope you applied ice at the time of the injury. And I agree with Sandee you need to have it looked at by a medical practitioner. If it is a muscle it may not show on an x-ray as x-rays are not good as revealing soft tissue injuries. But your physician can make that determination. Often they will x-ray to make sure you did not fracture a bone. If negative they usually order conservative treatment and monitor your progress unless there is something more obvious. If not and the pain persists an MRI is often the next step.

The cardinal treatment for such injuries is RICE, rest, ice, compression and elevation. I always use NSAID's as directed on the label.

Please let us know how you are doing. Take Care, Tuck

[sandee1818]

First of all you really need to have it looked at and x-rayed as you could have done damage and that needs to be adressed right away. Until you can get into the doctor though alternate heat and ice and also take ibuprofen for the swelling.
I would really strongly advise you to see the doctor as soon as possible though.