What is Giannis Antetokounmpo's calf injury? Expert medical analysis on soleus strain, recovery for Bucks star

The Bucks enter the 2024 NBA Playoffs facing questions about the health and availability of Giannis Antetokounmpo.

During the final week of the regular season, Antetokounmpo went down with a scary non-contact injury. Testing revealed a left calf strain, specifically a strain of the soleus muscle.

In the time since Antetokounmpo went down with the injury on April 9, Milwaukee has taken a cautious approach regarding his return to action. Numerous reports indicate that the Bucks do not want to prematurely put their franchise player on the floor for playoff action.

As the Bucks open the postseason against the Pacers on April 21, Antetokounmpo does not appear ready to return to action yet.

For a greater understanding of Antetokounmpo's injury, The Sporting News reached out to medical expert Dr. Michael S. George of the KSF Orthopaedic Center in Houston, who explained the importance of the distinction of a soleus strain, treatment, recovery time and risks associated with Antetokounmpo returning to action.

The following analysis from George has been edited for clarity.

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Expert medical analysis on Giannis Antetokounmpo's calf injury

What is the soleus muscle?

The calf muscle is comprised of two main muscles — the gastrocnemius and the soleus — as well as the smaller, less important muscle called the plantaris, all of which unite to form the Achilles tendon.

The gastrocnemius is the larger, more superficial calf muscle that has two heads that arise from the lower part of the back of the femur above the knee joint. The soleus is the more superficial calf muscle that arises from the back of the tibia and fibula below the knee joint.

In contrast, the soleus does not cross the knee joint, so it is isolated in a stretch by flexing the knee joint. This is important to keep in mind during the rehab process. Functionally, soleus and gastrocnemius muscle strains behave similarly.

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What is the treatment and recovery time from a soleus strain?

Initial treatment is rest followed by gentle stretching, and then a gradual return to activity. This is an injury that could take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. But in the playoffs, every day counts.

The Bucks will have to evaluate him on a day-to-day basis to get a sense of his recovery timeline.

What are the risks associated with returning from a soleus strain?

Giannis is such an athletic explosive player that he will need to be fully recovered before he can play at his normal level.

The only real danger of returning too soon would be re-injuring the muscle, which would then result in an even more extended recovery period. But it would not likely cause permanent damage.

How much time could Giannis Antetokounmpo miss with his calf injury?

While it is possible that Antetokounmpo could return for the first round of the playoffs, it is just as possible that he could miss several weeks during the playoffs.

Either way, this will likely continue to bother him until after the playoffs are over, when he will be able to give it a longer rest and get back to normal.

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