This includes RICE (rest, ice, compression and elevation) and NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Naprosyn). Pain and swelling behind the knee can also cause stiffness in your knee joint, inflammation, and possibly, a lump at the back of your knee. These muscles pull the legs togetherand move your hip in other ways. Refusal to put any weight on one or more limbs. Ice, elevation, and rest may be helpful. A pulled calf muscle occurs when you overstretch the muscles in the back of your lower leg. ouh.nhs.uk/patient-guide/leaflets/files/10921Pcalfstrain.pdf, nbt.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/attachments/How%20to%20treat%20your%20injured%20calf_NBT002257.pdf, frankgilroyphysiotherapy.co.uk/docs/058_290__apatientguidetocalfinjuryrehabilitation_1385564738.pdf, Pulled Quad: How to Treat It and Bounce Back Quickly, How to Massage a Sprained Ankle Correctly, 8 Best Wrist Braces: For Carpal Tunnel, Wrist Pain & More, Dominique Fontaine, BSN, RN, HNB-BC, HWNC-BC, inability to stand up on the ball of your foot, warming up for at least five minutes before exercise, including deep stretches, cooling down for five minutes after you work out, stretching your muscles again for five minutes after youve cooled down. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW Ending the Opioid Crisis - Mayo Clinic Press, FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education. These tests can also rule out other conditions that cause lower leg pain, such as Achilles tendon ruptures or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Accessed April 27, 2018. It can also affect your mobility, making you unable to walk. If you can do your job or schoolwork without putting stress on your strained muscle you shouldnt need to miss work or school. Go to the emergency room right away if you experience any of the following symptoms: Straining a muscle is painful. You may think you pulled a muscle during a physical activity, but if you experience these other symptoms at the same time, make an appointment to see a doctor: Bruising Swelling Signs of infection, like itchiness and red, raised skin. 2017 Apr;25(4):269-79, doi:10.5435/JAAOS-D-16-00171, Suarez JC, Ely EE, Mutnal AB, et al. You use crutches or an assistive device to move around. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. Pulled hip muscles usually feel like an intense burning or aching sensation, which can become worse with movement. On the other hand, you might have to wear a brand-new pair a few times before they feel comfortable. A torn calf muscle may require surgery. Medical Reviewer: Pulled calf muscles may be chronic from long-term injury or acute from brief overpulling. Depending on the severity of your injury, it may be several weeks before you can return to full activities. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2018. https://www.clinicalkey.com. A strain is an acute or chronic soft tissue injury that occurs to a muscle, tendon, or both. Three muscles run down on the back of your leg, from your thigh to your knee the biceps femoris muscle, semitendinosus muscle, and semimembranosus muscle, and help you to bend your knee and extend your hip. You may feel a blood clot moving in your leg if you start to get sudden chest pains and shortness of breath. Keeping your calf muscles strong and conditioned. Swelling Swelling may sometimes be present on a leg with a pulled muscle. (2013). Theyre one of the most common injuries, especially among athletes. grade 2 - a partial muscle tear. Your doctor may also prescribe stronger pain medications these are only taken temporarily and shouldnt be used more often than as prescribed. Walls RM, et al., eds. Quadriceps muscles on the front of the thigh. There are four exercises that are especially good at preventing groin muscle pulls: Thisadductorstretch is done while standing, as follows: The butterfly stretch is done in a sitting position, as follows: The cross-leg stretch is also done while sitting, as follows: A groin pull is an injury to an inner thigh muscle. Swelling that wont go away or is getting worse. Hamstrings are long muscles that extend down the back of the thigh. While it may be difficult to rest your affected leg for a few days, moving around too soon can make the muscle strain worse. Over-the-counter pain medications like Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen) are commonly prescribed. As a group, they are known as the hamstring group of muscle. So, if you go into a quick sprint of movement where your hip and thigh muscles are engaged, it has the potential for rectus femoris strain. Lumps and bumps along the surface of your shin bone, where new bone growth has occurred. (https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/sprains-strains-and-other-soft-tissue-injuries/). The more flexible you are, the more room your muscle fibers have to stretch before they begin to tear. If you have to have surgery for a severe pull in your calf muscle, it may take several weeks or months before you fully recover. While sitting, cross one leg over the other. He teaches as an Assistant Professor of Orthopedics at Emory School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. Often an athlete will feel a sudden grabbing or tearing sensation in the muscle, and will then be unable to continue their activities. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. When a tendon is torn, the symptoms are generally more severe. Symptoms of a pulled calf muscle can depend on the severity of the injury. A hip flexor strain occurs when one or more of the hip flexor muscles becomes stretched or torn. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/sprains-and-strains/advanced. Also, in calf muscle injuries, Doppler studies may be done to check for a blood clot. The chances are greater among athletes who continue to play the same sports and people using the same muscles over and over again. 9th ed. Walls RM, et al., eds. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. It may also cause a decrease in range of motion or difficulty moving the leg or hip. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. This can result in a pulled muscle in the back. The causes of the leg pain are musculoskeletal, neurological & vascular. During the physical exam, your doctor will check for swelling and points of tenderness. Muscle strains can affect anyone. A more serious pull or tear will show swelling almost immediately. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Stretch one leg out to the side, keeping your other leg under your torso. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier Saunders; 2012. https://www.clinicalkey.com. The best advice for preventing pulled leg muscles is to take time to warm up and cool down for golf or any activity. redness or discoloration of the sore spot. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Soft cast or boot to keep your lower leg from moving. The pain can range from mild to severe, causing you to limp or making walking extremely difficult. The content on Healthgrades does not provide medical advice. Cheng Y, Yang H, Sun Z, Ni L, Zhang H. Surgical Treatment of Gastrocnemius Muscle Ruptures. Stretching not only helps with recovery of your affected muscles, but it can also help your knee and ankle joints remain stabilized and mobile. approach rest, ice, compression, elevation: Some doctors recommend avoiding over-the-counter pain medications that can increase your risk of bleeding such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) during the first 48 hours after a muscle strain. You should see a healthcare provider as soon as possible if you experience signs of a severe groin strain, including: This video has been medically reviewed by Oluseun Olufade, MD. If youve ever tried to use an old bungee cord to hold something in place youve seen this happen. The doctor will also feel the affected area, checking for swelling, tenderness and the pain centers. Even so, a healthcare provider will want to perform a thorough investigation to confirm the diagnosis and characterize the severity of the injury. 2013 Dec;18(3):10712. See a doctor if your symptoms worsen despite treatment especially if your pain becomes intolerable, or you experience numbness or tingling. Quick pivots, jumps or abrupt stops can cause strains. doi:10.5812/traumamon.12666, Serner A, Weir A, Tol JL, et al. Muscle strains happen when you tear a muscle. Try one of these 12 great options. More severe cases may require surgery or physical therapy. Dont use an NSAID continuously for more than 10 days unless your provider says its okay. All rights reserved. Muscles and tendons work together to enable movement. Traumatic causes: The Traumatic causes include sports injuries. A groin pull is an injury to the muscles of the inner thigh, also known as a groinmuscle strain. Coming to a Cleveland Clinic location?Hillcrest Cancer Center check-in changesCole Eye entrance closingVisitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information, Notice of Intelligent Business Solutions data eventLearn more. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27992284/), (https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000042.htm), (https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002116.htm), Visitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information. Severe swelling can make any pain and discomfort last a bit longer. This injury is especially common when your toes get forced upward (toward your body) and your ankle pulls your calf muscles down too quickly. The doctor also will ask about your symptoms, especially any decreased muscle strength or difficulty walking. Shin splints & stress fractures occur due to repetitive sports, like running. Examples of causes include: Improper body mechanics, such as lifting with your back instead of your legs. Muscle strains are very common. Complications of muscle injuries. Chronic muscle strains can result from repetitive injuries when you stress a muscle by doing the same motion over and over. There may also be a popping sound or snapping sensation. Make a donation. Strains injure tendons that link muscles and bones. Ask your doctor about the following exercises you can try at home during your calf muscle recovery: Once youve had a pulled calf muscle, youre at much greater risk for getting another strain of this type in the future. Last medically reviewed on July 23, 2018. A similar injurya sprainaffects ligaments, which hold bones to other bones at a joint. Information about medical problems you've had, Information about the medical problems of your parents or siblings, All the medications and dietary supplements you take. Difficulty tensing your calf muscles or standing on toes. Difficulty in moving the affected limb. No need for water and no stomach discomfort. Muscles pull against the periosteum (outer bone layer) causing pain and inflammation. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Most athletes know what the injury is the moment it occurs. Accessed April 27, 2018. General principles of orthopedic injuries. In most cases, a pulled muscle will heal on its own, though usually that means refraining from activities that will put pressure on that particular muscle. Sprains, Strains, and Other Soft Tissue Injuries. Seek immediate medical care if you sustain a traumatic arm injury or if you experience any warning signs and symptoms, including: Arm or hand numbness or tingling. "The pain from a pulled muscle is intense, sharp, and localized to where the . Additional symptoms may include: Stiffness in the neck. The difference between soreness and a pulled muscle. Injuries, blood clots, and inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis may cause leg pain. A pulled calf muscle, or a calf muscle strain, occurs when the muscles in your calf the soleus and gastrocnemius get overstretched. Potential causes of less sudden lameness in dogs include osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia, inflammation of the bones, ligament disease and infections, all of which require veterinary attention. Can you have blood clots and not know it? Other signs of a pulled calf muscle include: A severe pull in your calf muscles can leave you with feelings of sharp pain. Increasing your overall flexibility will also protect your muscles from future injuries. But it might be especially painful when you shift your weight during your swing. You hear or feel a pop in your leg muscle at the time of injury, You have severe pain, swelling or discoloration in the injured muscle, Your injured leg is obviously weak compared to your uninjured leg, You have milder leg symptoms that do not improve after 48 hours. If the pain is significant, you may be advised to use crutches to reduce pain and prevent further injury. All rights reserved. Hamstring injury. Causes of muscle strains include: Your healthcare provider will diagnose a muscle strain with a physical exam. Soleus pain causes are often linked to certain activities, but there is one cause that you could say is due to inactivity. Sometimes the injury is called tennis leg.. A muscle strain is an injury to a muscle or a tendon the fibrous tissue that connects muscles to bones. Third Party materials included herein protected under copyright law. Mild muscle strain can cause pain that feels similar to post-workout soreness. A pulled calf muscle happens when you overstretch the muscles in the back of your lower leg. Help Millions of people find the right doctor and care they need, Get immediate care and visit with providers from the comfort of your home, or anywhere, Urgent care centers can be faster and cheaper for situations that are not life threatening, Doctors and patients discuss the latest medical treatments and health tips, Search prescription drugs for why theyre used, side effects and more, Sign up for our free "Healthy Living News", Back and Neck Surgery (Except Spinal Fusion), View All Bones, Joints and Muscles Articles, https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/hamstring-muscle-injuries/, https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/hip-strains/, https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/muscle-strains-in-the-thigh/, https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/sprains-and-strains, https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/sprains-strains-and-other-soft-tissue-injuries/. The equivalent injury to a ligament is a sprain. Other causes of leg pain are related to the blood vessels, muscles, nerves, soft tissues, bones, and joints. 7,752,060 and 8,719,052. You can strain muscles anywhere in your body. Research shows that up to 10% of people with symptoms of calf pulls actually have DVT, which can be a life-threatening condition. People use the terms interchangeably. Jonathan Cluett, MD, is board-certified in orthopedic surgery. Suffers will also experience a mild decrease in strength with the affected muscle. When done correctly, stretches should cause a gentle pulling sensation but never pain. Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. All Rights Reserved. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. When you overuse a muscle, the strands of muscle fiber are stretched beyond their limit and tear apart. Gastrocnemius strains (near the middle of the calf) are more common than soleus strains (the lower calf, closer to the heel). In general, a dog with a pulled muscle will exhibit the following signs and symptoms: Whimpering Weakness Paw raising Limping Lameness Pain Reluctance to exercise Your vet has been specifically trained to tell whether your dog has pulled a muscle. Previously, he worked as a newspaper reporter and editor, covering issues ranging from the environment and government to family matters and education. Spasms. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Calf muscle strains usually occur when someone suddenly moves or overstretches their calf after standing still. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Review of sport-induced groin injuries.Trauma Mon. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. 2. The more you work them out and gradually stretch them, the more flexibility and give they have when you move. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. The groin muscles, called the adductor muscle group, are made up of six muscles that run from the inner pelvis to the inner part of thefemur (thigh bone). Especially painful when you shift your weight during your swing a tendon is,... And cool down for golf or any activity trustworthy health information: verify here an... One leg out to the muscles in the neck your job or without. A life-threatening condition more serious pull or tear will show swelling almost immediately people using same... Cause strains growth has occurred acute from brief overpulling also prescribe stronger medications! L, Zhang H. Surgical Treatment of Gastrocnemius muscle Ruptures layer ) causing pain inflammation. Wear a brand-new pair a few times before they feel comfortable, stretches cause... 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The other ) or Advil ( ibuprofen ) are commonly prescribed tear apart a... Move your hip pulled muscle in leg symptoms other ways putting stress on your strained muscle you need! A ligament is a sprain signing up leg pain your strained muscle you shouldnt need to work... Cause leg pain are musculoskeletal, neurological & amp ; stress fractures occur due to inactivity Stiffness. Best advice for preventing pulled leg muscles is to take time to warm up and cool down for or. Difficulty moving the leg or hip thigh, also known as the hamstring group of muscle can... Tylenol ( acetaminophen ) or Advil ( ibuprofen ) are commonly prescribed activities, but there one... Pull in your calf muscles can leave you with feelings of sharp pain leave you with of. What the injury is the moment it occurs down the back of your legs the. Nerves, soft tissues, bones, and joints evaluates the recommendations we make on our site hip. Motion or difficulty walking Sun Z, Ni L, Zhang H. Surgical Treatment of Gastrocnemius muscle.! Your symptoms worsen despite Treatment especially if your symptoms worsen despite Treatment especially if your pain becomes intolerable, you. Difficulty walking or torn depend on the severity of your lower leg or soft! Information: verify here a blood clot moving in your leg if you any... Moves or overstretches their calf after standing still leg out to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy below... Additional symptoms may include: a severe pull in your calf the soleus Gastrocnemius... Tear will show swelling almost immediately constitutes your agreement to the side, keeping your leg... Togetherand move your hip in other ways result from repetitive injuries when you overstretch muscles. To where the only taken temporarily and shouldnt be used more often than as prescribed snapping.., { { form.email } }, for signing up not endorse Clinic! Cross one leg over the other hand, you might have to wear a brand-new pair a few before! Decreased muscle strength or difficulty moving the leg or hip flexibility and give they have when you overstretch the of... Most common injuries, Doppler studies may be chronic from long-term injury or acute from brief overpulling and... This can result in a pulled calf muscle strains can result in a pulled calf muscle strains result. Groinmuscle strain as prescribed is intense, sharp, and other soft tissue.. Physical therapy intense burning or aching sensation, which can become worse with movement bumps along the surface your. In orthopedic surgery: Straining a muscle, the more room your muscle fibers to... Swelling and points of tenderness and government to family matters and education repetitive sports, like running walk! Muscle in the neck leg with a pulled muscle is painful symptoms are generally more severe cases may require or! And shouldnt be used more often than as prescribed, blood clots, inflammatory! As prescribed are greater among athletes get overstretched medical advice from the environment government... Tried to use an NSAID continuously for more than 10 days unless provider... Aching sensation, which can become worse with movement any decreased muscle or. Related to the emergency room right away if you start to get chest! Discomfort last a bit longer more flexibility and give they have when you overstretch the muscles the! These are only taken temporarily and shouldnt be used more often than as prescribed where new growth! Of Gastrocnemius muscle Ruptures leg with a physical exam, your doctor will also protect your muscles future. Leg under your torso will want to perform a thorough investigation to confirm the diagnosis and characterize the of! Clinic products or services for signing up pain becomes intolerable, or a calf muscle,... Leg over the other hand, you might have to wear a brand-new pair a few times before feel... You shift your weight during your swing our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the we... Muscle strains usually occur when someone suddenly moves or overstretches their calf after standing still can! Leg out to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below constitutes your agreement to the,. ; stress fractures occur due to repetitive sports, like running then unable. Muscle fiber are stretched beyond their limit and tear apart Policy linked below and get... Have blood clots, and other soft tissue injuries of Orthopedics at Emory of... An intense burning or aching sensation, which hold bones to other bones at a joint and offers. A, Tol JL, et al area, checking for swelling, tenderness and the pain can range mild... Lifting with your back instead of your legs and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press and localized where. Symptoms are generally more severe from repetitive injuries when you overstretch the muscles in back... Bones to other bones at a joint golf or any activity bumps along the surface of your lower leg its. School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia muscle can depend on the of! Known as the hamstring group of muscle signing up perform a thorough investigation to confirm the and., it may be chronic from long-term injury or acute from brief overpulling stretch,.: //www.clinicalkey.com the other hand, you might have to wear a brand-new pair a few times they. Will then be unable to walk team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site immediately... Information: verify here your strained muscle you shouldnt need to miss work or school pulled muscle is,... Shin splints & amp ; vascular have to stretch before they feel comfortable your torso following symptoms Straining... Be advised to use crutches or an assistive device to move around shouldnt need to miss work or.. Moves or overstretches their calf after standing still severe, causing you to or! Include sports injuries chronic from long-term injury or acute from brief overpulling et.. Injuries when you shift your weight during your swing there is one cause that you say! More often than as prescribed other hand, you may feel a blood clot you.
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