Things that help a sore calf heal include.
R.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compression, and elevation). Icing and elevating the leg are two common principles of R.I.C.E.
OTC medications. Calf pain can also be soothed with common pain relievers such as ibuprofen or naproxen.
Stretching. Light stretching can help ease calf pain.
Rest the area.
Ice the area for 20 minutes, using a covered ice pack or bag of frozen peas.
Compress the area with a bandage (but if the pain gets worse, loosen the bandage).
Elevate the lower leg by sitting or lying down (for example with pillows), so it is above the level of the heart.
A calf injury lasts between 10 days to 14 days although some calf injuries may take as long as 4 to 6 weeks to heal fully.
A typical grade I calf strain will heal in seven to 10 days.
A grade II injury will heal in about four to six weeks.
A grade III calf strain may take about three months.
A calf injury is most often caused during sports where you need to push off with your foot quickly for a sudden burst of speed.
Examples include tennis, baseball, soccer, racquetball, and even simple running.
The sudden movement can stress the calf muscle, stretching it beyond its normal limits.
Some signs that your calf injury are serious include.
You are unable to rise up on your toes.
You can't walk or bear weight on your leg.
You experience severe or prolonged pain in your calf.
You have trouble moving your ankle or knee.
You notice swelling or serious bruising in your lower leg, foot or ankle.
A grade 3 calf strain is a severe injury involving a complete tear to half or all of the calf muscle.
Crutches or even a moon boot may be required to enable walking due to severe pain and weakness.
Immediate swelling and bruising will be present within 24 hours.