Muscle rupture of the triceps surae, prevention and treatment

 

The origin of this type of injury is usually multi-factorl, being the most common muscle overloads or cramps, which due to overexertion lead to breakage, direct trauma or insufficient warming up when practicing high intensity sports.

Our collaborator Healthing, tells us on this occasion what are the causes, how to prevent and the possible treatments of this injury.

Many athletes, as well as triathletes, suffer from muscular problems in the back of the leg, better known colloquially as "Calf".

It is a common mistake to think that in this area, exclusively are the twins (also called gastrocnemius), with their two external and internal bellies, however, deep to these, we can find the soleus.

The soleus is a very powerful musculature that, together with the calves, form the well-known triceps sural. Together they make up one of the most common areas of muscle breakage in endurance athletes.

Anatomically, it is very important to point out that the union of the triceps surae to the calcaneus bone constitutes the achilles tendon. (Figure 1)

 Muscle of the triceps surae.

The muscles are formed by thousands of fibers that are like filaments, which in turn are grouped into bundles, simulating the structure of a rope (Figure 2).

When we talk about a break, we are referring to a muscle belly injury that can range from a few fibers being torn, breaking a whole bundle or several, even reaching a total breakdown of the muscle.

In most cases, it is usually caused by a sudden and violent contraction of the same along with a maximum stretch.

For a reliable diagnosis of a muscle tear, it is helpful to use the ultrasound technique, except if it occurs in the soleus, in which case it will be necessary to carry out a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR).

 Internal structure of a muscle.

What is its possible origin?

The origin of this type of lesion is usually multifactorial, the most common being overloads Muscle o Cramps, which due to overexertion result in breakage, direct traumatisms or insufficient heating before a high intensity sports practice.

 How can it be treated?

The main objective of therapy in this type of injuries is avoid fibrosis, that is, the new Muscle tissue is regenerated with optimal orientation of the fibers, which allows the muscle to retain its contractile capacity, as before the injury, thus preventing it from being weakened.

In Healthing we alternate manual therapy with ultrasound-guided intratissular percutaneous electrolysis (EPI) (Video 1) Y bandages kinesiotape to reduce pain in the most acute processes.

We also have High power laser as a biostimulant (tissue regenerator),  Vacusport to lower inflammation and accelerate healing and Game Readand (pressotherapy + cryotherapy) that we use in the acute phase of the injury.

Once the acute phase of injury has been overcome, we will start perform active work of the musculature including performing eccentric exercises progressively.

How long does it take to recover?

The recovery times for this type of lesion they depend on the magnitude of the rupture and of some individual factors of each patient, but most commonly they go from the 2 at 6 weeks, being able to be prolonged more in very big breaks or by the appearance of complications or the fast return to the sport activity.

More information http://healthing.es/ 

Contact:

Healthing, Calle Serrano, 61. 4ª pla

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