Types

• There are three grades of calf strain, with Grade 1 being the least severe and Grade 3 the most serious.
  
  

Treatment

• Initial treatment of a calf pull is to ice the area, elevate the leg to reduce swelling and rest the torn muscle.
  
  

Considerations

• Some people find compression bandages keep swelling in check and speed recovery time slightly.
  
  

Other Treatment

• If rest, ice and elevation don't heal the tear, or if it is a Grade 3, you will likely need physical therapy.
  
  

Time Frame

• It usually takes three to five days for a Grade 1 pull to heal, up to three weeks for Grade 2 strains and up to six weeks for Grade 3 ruptures.