What exercises are recommended 7 days after a gastrocnemius tear?

Exercises 7 Days After Gastrocnemius Tear

At 7 days post-gastrocnemius tear, begin gentle pain-free range of motion exercises and stretching within tolerance, while continuing PRICE principles (protection, rest, ice, compression, elevation), with progression to strengthening exercises only after pain subsides and initial healing occurs around 2-4 weeks. 1

Early Phase Management (Days 1-14)

Initial Treatment Protocol

• Continue PRICE principles during the first 7-14 days to control inflammation and promote healing 1
• Apply ice for 15-20 minutes every 2-3 hours for pain management and swelling reduction 2
• Maintain compression and elevation when possible to minimize fluid accumulation 1

Range of Motion Exercises (Days 7-14)

• Begin gentle ankle dorsiflexion stretching of the gastrocnemius-soleus complex within pain-free range 3
• Perform stretches for 5 minutes each morning and 10 minutes each evening, seven days per week 3
• Progress ankle range of motion gradually, monitoring for pain response 1
• Avoid forced dorsiflexion which can re-injure the healing muscle 4

Activity Restrictions

• Avoid weight-bearing activities that cause pain or stress the healing gastrocnemius 5
• No jumping, running, or eccentric loading exercises during this early phase 5
• Patients typically have difficulty bearing weight on the affected leg during the first 1-2 weeks 5

Progression Timeline

Weeks 2-4: Transition Phase

• Initiate gentle strengthening exercises once pain subsides (typically around day 8-16) 6
• Begin with isometric contractions of the calf muscle in pain-free positions 1
• Progress to light resistance exercises as tolerated 1
• Continue stretching program with gradual increases in duration and intensity 3

Weeks 4-6: Advanced Rehabilitation

• Advance to eccentric strengthening exercises which are particularly effective for tendon healing 3
• Include proprioception and balance training exercises 1
• Begin sport-specific conditioning exercises if applicable 1
• Most patients achieve grade 5 calf strength (equivalent to unaffected limb) by 2-4 weeks in partial tears 6

Important Clinical Considerations

Monitoring Healing Progress

• Ultrasound imaging can track healing and shows primary union of the gastrocnemius typically occurs around 4 weeks post-injury 7
• Partial tears generally heal faster than complete ruptures 7
• Fluid collections between the gastrocnemius and soleus resolve progressively over 4-6 weeks 7

Red Flags Requiring Modification

• Stop exercises immediately if pain increases or swelling worsens 1
• Persistent pain beyond 4-6 months may indicate need for surgical consultation 5
• Development of compartment syndrome (rare) requires urgent surgical intervention 5

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Do not progress too rapidly - aggressive early strengthening can compromise healing 4
• Inadequate warm-up or fatigue increases re-injury risk 5
• Avoid returning to sports before achieving full strength and range of motion 1

Expected Recovery Timeline

• Pain typically subsides by day 8 in uncomplicated partial tears 6
• Full playing/activity return generally occurs at 4-6 weeks for partial tears 6, 1
• Complete ruptures may require 6-9 months for full recovery 5
• Most patients achieve full functional recovery with conservative management 1

The key at 7 days is patience with gentle mobilization while respecting tissue healing constraints. Aggressive strengthening before adequate healing (typically 2-4 weeks) risks re-injury and prolonged recovery.