--- title: "Vibration and pressure wave therapy for calf strains | Sutter Health" description: "Purpose is to give a baseline knowledge of vibration therapy and propose a tx protocol for calf strains using this technology along with radial pressure waves." url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/vibration-pressure-wave-tx-calf-strains-1055312323" --- 1. [Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Research](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research) / 3. [Research publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications) / 4. Vibration and pressure wave therapy for calf strains # Vibration and pressure wave therapy for calf strains: a proposed treatment. Saxena A, St Louis M, & Fournier M. _Muscles Ligaments Tendons J. 3(2):60-2. doi: 10.11138/mltj/2013.3.2.060. Print 2013 Apr._ 2013-07-09 ## Abstract Calf (lower leg) strains have a variety of treatment regimens with variable outcomes and return to activity (RTA) time frames. These injuries involve disruption of portions or the entire gastrocnemius-soleus myo-tendinous complex. Conservative treatment initially consists of rest, ice, compression, elevation (RICE). Immediately following calf injury, patients can utilize cryotherapy, massage, passive range of motion, and progressive exercise. In general, Grade I through Grade III calf strains can take up to 6 weeks before the athlete can return to training. It can also involve the loss of more than 50% of muscle integrity. Recently, vibration therapy and radial pressure waves have been utilized to treat muscular strains and other myo-tendinous injuries that involve trigger points. Studies have suggested vibration therapy with rehabilitation can increase muscle strength and flexibility in patients. Segmental vibration therapy (SVT) is treatment to a more focal area. Vibration therapy (VT) is applied directly to the area of injury. VT is a mechanical stimulus that is thought to stimulate the sensory receptors, as well as decrease inflammatory cells and receptors. Therefore, VT could be a valuable tool in treating athlete effectively and decreasing their recovery time. The purpose of this paper is to give the reader baseline knowledge of VT and propose a treatment protocol for calf strains using this technology along with radial pressure waves. [PubMed abstract](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23888287) ## Research topics - [Disease Management](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Disease+Management%5C%22%22) - [Musculoskeletal Disorders](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Musculoskeletal+Disorders%5C%22%22) ## Related publications [View all publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?verticalKey=research_publication) - Publication ### [Clinically relevant effectiveness of focused extracorporeal shock wave therapy in the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis: a randomized, controlled multicenter study.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/extracorporeal-shock-wave-tx-plantar-fasciitis-1055312428) Gollwitzer H, Saxena A, DiDomenico LA, Galli L, Bouché RT, Caminear DS, Fullem B, Vester JC, Horn C, Banke IJ, Burgkart R, Gerdesmeyer L. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 97(9):701-8. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.M.01331. 2015 May 06 - Publication ### [Osteotome technique for removal of symptomatic ear canal exostoses.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/osteotome-technique-remove-ear-canal-exostoses-1055312952) Hetzler DG. Laryngoscope. 117(1 Pt 2 suppl 113):1-14. 2007 Jan 01 - Publication ### [Percutaneous ultrasonic tenotomy for Achilles tendinopathy is a surgical procedure with similar complications.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/percutaneous-ultrasonic-tenotomy-for-achilles-tendinopathy-1055312483) Sanchez PJ, Grady JF, Saxena A. J Foot Ankle Surg. 56(5):982-984. doi: 10.1053/j.jfas.2017.06.015. 2017 Sep 01 - Publication ### [Treatment of medial tibial stress syndrome with radial soundwave therapy in elite athletes: current evidence, report on two cases, and proposed treatment regimen.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/medial-tibial-stress-syndrome-radial-soundwave-therapy-1055312476) Saxena A, Fullem B, Gerdesmeyer L. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2017 Sep - Oct;56(5):985-989. doi: 10.1053/j.jfas.2017.06.013. Review. 2017 Sep 01 - Publication ### [Safe zone for placement of talar screws when fusing the ankle with an anterior plating system.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/place-talar-screws-ankle-fused-anterior-plating-1055312984) Haskell A, Dedini R, Dini M. Foot Ankle Int. 36(6):730-5. doi: 10.1177/1071100715571440. Epub 2015 Feb 9. 2015 Jun 01 [View all publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?verticalKey=research_publication) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Sutter Health","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org","logo":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/static/images/sutter-health-logo.svg","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"2200 River Plaza Drive","addressLocality":"Sacramento","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"95833","addressCountry":"US"},"areaServed":{"@type":"AdministrativeArea","name":"California"},"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/SutterHealth","https://www.instagram.com/sutterhealth/","https://x.com/SutterHealth","https://www.youtube.com/sutterhealth","https://www.linkedin.com/company/sutter-health","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutter_Health"]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/vibration-pressure-wave-tx-calf-strains-1055312323#breadcrumblist","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Research publications","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Vibration and pressure wave therapy for calf strains"}]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/vibration-pressure-wave-tx-calf-strains-1055312323#medicalscholarlyarticle","name":"Vibration and pressure wave therapy for calf strains: a proposed treatment.","headline":"Vibration and pressure wave therapy for calf strains","abstract":"Calf (lower leg) strains have a variety of treatment regimens with variable outcomes and return to activity (RTA) time frames. These injuries involve disruption of portions or the entire gastrocnemius-soleus myo-tendinous complex. Conservative treatment initially consists of rest, ice, compression, elevation (RICE). Immediately following calf injury, patients can utilize cryotherapy, massage, passive range of motion, and progressive exercise. In general, Grade I through Grade III calf strains can take up to 6 weeks before the athlete can return to training. It can also involve the loss of more than 50% of muscle integrity. Recently, vibration therapy and radial pressure waves have been utilized to treat muscular strains and other myo-tendinous injuries that involve trigger points. Studies have suggested vibration therapy with rehabilitation can increase muscle strength and flexibility in patients. Segmental vibration therapy (SVT) is treatment to a more focal area. Vibration therapy (VT) is applied directly to the area of injury. VT is a mechanical stimulus that is thought to stimulate the sensory receptors, as well as decrease inflammatory cells and receptors. Therefore, VT could be a valuable tool in treating athlete effectively and decreasing their recovery time. 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