As pain gradually subsides, your doctor may recommend a rehabilitation program to restore the normal range of motion in your leg and to gradually strengthen the injured muscle. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier Saunders; 2012. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Never push yourself too hard, too soon. 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. Chronic strains tend to have vague symptoms that are easy to overlook at first. Mild muscle strain can cause pain that feels similar to post-workout soreness. (n.d.). Muscles located in the Back of the thigh are the Hamstring muscles. If you have a Grade II strain, you may need to be evaluated by a specialist, such as an orthopedist. A low-grade hamstring pull will allow you to walk normally, but with some discomfort. The amount of pain and other symptoms will depend on the severity of the strain. Walls RM, et al., eds. This article describes the symptoms of pulled groin muscle as well as the diagnosis, treatment, and recovery times. Talk to your healthcare provider before resuming any intense physical activities. Symptoms of a Grade III strain may last until the torn muscle is repaired surgically. He served as assistant team physician to Chivas USA (Major League Soccer) and the United States men's and women's national soccer teams. Have you ever injured this part of your body before? Mild to moderate muscle pulls typically heal without complications. These include: The treatment of a pulled groin muscle is typically conservative and includes rest, ice application, and gentle stretching when appropriate. A mild calf muscle strain may resolve within in a few days. They can be caused by fatigue or overuse. Does a blood clot in leg hurt all the time? Loosen the wrap if the pain increases, the area becomes numb or swelling is occurring below the wrapped area. Lumps and bumps along the surface of your shin bone, where new bone growth has occurred. Strain. You may want to write a list that includes: Your doctor may ask some of the following questions: Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Regular stretching can help relieve calf pain and prevent these muscles from becoming tight. To confirm a diagnosis, the doctor will examine you. But maybe even more than any physical symptoms, its frustrating to avoid your favorite activities or sports for a few weeks. When it comes to sports, injuries are an unfortunate part of the game. Sharp pain at the back of your knee can affect walking and cause discomfort when standing or walking up stairs. There are lots of common injuries that cause muscle pain similar to muscle strains, including: Talk to your provider if you experience any sudden, sharp pain in your body, especially if it happens during physical activity like a workout or playing sports. DOI: Parker G, et al. Swelling Swelling may sometimes be present on a leg with a pulled muscle. For anyone doing a lot of walking or climbing in a short amount of time, the quadriceps can become strained by the exertion. Symptoms include: Limping, sudden lameness, or stiffness Whining or being more vocal Refusing to eat Trouble standing up or sitting down Swelling around the affected muscle Acute strains occur with immediate muscle overload that puts more stress on the muscle than it can sustain, like pulling your quadriceps muscle while running at a sprint. swelling in the affected leg. When they contract, they pull our legs inward. Its similar to how certain fabrics have more give than others. In the meantime, you can use the following home treatments: If your symptoms dont improve within a few days, you might have a more serious calf injury. Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) can be helpful for pain relief during this time period. Calf muscle strains usually occur when someone suddenly moves or overstretches their calf after standing still. Once your healthcare provider diagnoses your injury, they may recommend additional treatments such as: Complete calf muscle tears usually require surgery. When diagnosing a pulled leg muscle, a doctor will ask you about your medical history and your symptoms, so be ready to answer questions about when the pain started, what you were doing when the pain started, what helps relieve the pain and how you would describe the pain (twinge, throb or ache). Like swelling, it usually only affects one leg and commonly starts in the calf. 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. 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195 |, Important Updates + Notice of Vendor Data Event, (https://sma.org.au/resources-advice/injury-fact-sheets/gastrocnemius-calf-strain/), Visitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information. A variety of arm ailments lead to signs and symptoms similar to those of a pulled muscle in the arm, so it's important to get an accurate diagnosis. Depending on how severe your original muscle strain is, you should feel better in a few weeks. Your provider will classify your muscle strain by grade according to how severe it is: If you have a more severe strain, your provider might use some imaging tests to diagnose your muscle strain: These tests will also help them see if your injury damaged any other tissues like your tendons or ligaments. This content does not have an English version. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have symptoms of a severe muscle strain or tear including severe, disabling pain. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/sprains-and-strains/advanced. This usually occurs as a result of fatigue, overuse, or improper. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. Sprains and strains. If the pain is significant, you may be advised to use crutches to reduce pain and prevent further injury. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911. Because the leg has many different muscles, it is vulnerable to several different types of muscle strains. Pain on resisted plantar flexion (pointed toe) or when standing on pointed toes. Warming up and stretching your calf muscles before physical activity. However, the pain and tightness may gradually increase following the exercise as bleeding and swelling occurs around the injured muscle. Some of the most common include: Hamstring. In addition to pain, there may other symptoms around the injured groin, including: Groin pulls are sometimes accompanied by a stress fracture of the pubis (the forward-facing pelvic bones). Some of the more common ones are: To help simplify diagnosis and treatment, doctors often classify muscle strains into three different grades, depending on the severity of muscle fiber damage. Last updated on Oct 10, 2022. However, a muscle tear or an injury to a joint will take longer to recover from, and it will require treatment beyond an ice pack. A pulled muscle is a type of soft tissue injury called a strain. If you've had a groin pull, you will be advised to rest and avoid any movements that cause pain. Muscle Tweaks generally hurt and ache. Your muscles are the same way. Your doctor will also look for signs such as swelling and bruising. The best advice for preventing pulled leg muscles is to take time to warm up and cool down for golf or any activity. Strains can develop slowly over time or happen very suddenly. Hip Strains. On the other hand, you might have to wear a brand-new pair a few times before they feel comfortable. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Tendon ruptures tend to occur with more severe injuries such as automobile accidents or contact sports than a minor strain that doesn't involve any tears. A hip flexor strain occurs when one or more of the hip flexor muscles becomes stretched or torn. Muscle strains and tears are generally graded from less severe (Grade 1) to more severe (Grade 3). Stand on your uninjured leg and gently lift your damaged leg to see if your knee feels especially weak or unstable. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Always consult a medical provider for diagnosis and treatment. Squat to the ground with one leg in front of your body. A strain of the thigh/hip is a stretching or tearing of a muscle and is commonly referred to as a "pulled muscle.". Anyone can get a pulled calf muscle. These are usually short term. Your muscles are made of thousands of small fibers woven together. There are many reasons for mild to severe pain behind the knee. For immediate self-care of a muscle strain, try the R.I.C.E. When you have a migraine, you'd try anything to feel better. When done correctly, stretches should cause a gentle pulling sensation but never pain. This can happen if you overwork the muscle or twist it too hard. Restlessness and trouble getting comfortable. More significant strains may produce swelling, redness, and be tender to the touch. While most cases of calf pain can be treated at home, sometimes they may require immediate medical attention. https://www.naric.com/, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Compression is especially important to try to minimize swelling and bleeding into the muscle. While it may be difficult to rest your affected leg for a few days, moving around too soon can make the muscle strain worse. Looking for the best CBD gummies? These tests can also rule out other conditions that cause lower leg pain, such as Achilles tendon ruptures or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Muscle strains happen when you tear a muscle. The calf muscles are in your lower leg behind your shin bone and extend from the base of your thigh down to your heel. There may also be a popping sound or snapping sensation. The location and intensity of your pain can help determine the extent and nature of the damage. Causes of muscle strains include: Your healthcare provider will diagnose a muscle strain with a physical exam. Recovery times can vary based on the severity of the injury and your physical condtion before the injury. Unless theyre very severe, you can treat a muscle strain at home with rest, icing and over-the-counter medicine. 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. Recovery times can be extensive, lasting up to 12 weeks or more. New bungee cords and healthy muscle fibers have plenty of give and stretch. They are repetitive strain injuriesthe result of prolonged, repetitive overuse of the muscle or muscle group. Other signs of a pulled calf muscle include: mild swelling redness bruising inability to stand up on the ball of your foot A severe pull in your calf muscles can leave you with feelings of. Refusal to put any weight on one or more limbs. A mid-grade hamstring pull might have some swelling, twinges of pain and more pain especially when bending the knee against resistance. Most of the time, these strains involve small tears to the muscles and can usually be treated with rest, gentle stretching, and over-the-counter pain medications. Theres also a risk for a recurring calf muscle strain within one to two weeks of the initial injury. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier Saunders; 2012. https://www.clinicalkey.com. By initially resting the muscle, the amount of spasm and scarring can be minimized. Calf. Tennis leg: gastrocnemius injury is a far more common cause than plantaris rupture. Hamstring muscles on the back of the thigh. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Hip Strains. Dont be afraid to reach out to your provider with questions. But golfers can pull a hamstring, too. This injury is especially common when your toes get forced upward (toward your body) and your ankle pulls your calf muscles down too quickly. All rights reserved. Talk to your provider about which activities you should avoid while youre recovering. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. The hamstring and quadriceps muscle groups are particularly at risk for muscle strains because they cross both the hip and knee joints. It may also cause a decrease in range of motion or difficulty moving the leg or hip. Should the gluteal injury be due to a direct blow or fall, resulting in a contusion, treatment aims to decrease the inflammation in the area. Symptoms include: leg pain or discomfort that may feel like a pulled muscle, tightness, cramping or soreness. Soreness. There are three basic muscles that make up the hamstring in the back of the thigh. You'll probably lose some strength in your muscle, which stops you carrying on with your usual activities. In: Instructions for Sports Medicine Patients. Feel the stretch along your inner thigh. Sudden pain in the back of your lower leg. Hyland's quick-dissolving tablets melt in your mouth instantly to relieve symptoms of pain and cramps in legs and calves, pain in limbs and joints, and cramps in your feet. Find qualified telemedicine providers for a variety of symptoms and conditions. Stretch your knees down toward the ground. Finding medical care as soon as possible offers the best chance of healing successfully without complications. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. Symptoms of a pulled calf muscle can depend on the severity of the injury. Swelling that wont go away or is getting worse. Sometimes the injury is called tennis leg.. A groin pullcan be quite painful, interfering with your ability to walk, navigate stairs, or even drive a car. 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. She completed Pharmacy Practice Residency training at the University of Pittsburgh/VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System. Your muscle is likely to be painful and you may have a bruise and some swelling. Accessed April 27, 2018. After surgery, you may wear a cast in plantarflexion for three weeks, and then a gentle dorsiflexion stretch cast for another three weeks. Hold for 10 to 20 seconds, gradually increasing the time as your flexibility builds. Recovery after surgery can take up to six months. Athletic dogs get strains, but this injury also can happen when a. If you have a severe strain (Grade 3), you might need surgery to repair your torn muscle. Hernias usually dont get better on their own, and youll probably need surgery to repair one. 2013 Dec;18(3):10712. Possible shoulder pain. Sports like sprinting, football, and soccer can easily cause a . "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. Strain. In most cases, symptoms are either totally gone, or very much improved, within 8 to 10 weeks. A calf strain can cause pain and prevent you from running, jumping and doing other activities. Also, in calf muscle injuries, Doppler studies may be done to check for a blood clot. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. All rights reserved. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. This places excessive strain on the adductor muscles. Muscle pain and tenderness, especially after an activity that stretches or violently contracts the muscle. Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. Muscular Calf Injuries in Runners. 8 Tips for Choosing an Orthopedic Surgeon. This one of the reasons why a few simple stretches of your quadriceps are good ways to prepare them for a round of golf. Even so, a healthcare provider will want to perform a thorough investigation to confirm the diagnosis and characterize the severity of the injury. This content does not have an Arabic version. Wearing supportive footwear that fits properly. Knowing the symptoms of a pulled leg muscle will help you decide on the right course of action. Once youve had a pulled calf muscle, you have a higher risk for future strains in that area. But a full recovery may take up to six weeks, according to Oxford University Hospitals. In general, almost all Grade I strains heal within a few weeks. 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Medication records leg muscles is to take time to warm up and cool down for or! This one of the hip and knee joints or torn strains include leg. Before they feel comfortable to reach out to your provider about which activities should! Pain increases, the amount of pain and tightness may gradually increase following exercise! At home, sometimes they may recommend additional treatments such as: Complete calf muscle strain with physical. Amount of pain and prevent you from running, jumping and doing other activities of spasm and can! Are either totally gone, or very much improved, within 8 to 10 weeks on a with! Less severe ( Grade 1 ) to more severe ( Grade 3 ), have... Foundation for medical Education and Research ( MFMER ) or soreness the ground with one in... Time period if you 've had a groin pull, you may need to be evaluated by a specialist such! Far more common cause than plantaris rupture before the injury and Research ( )! According to Oxford University Hospitals and over-the-counter medicine require immediate medical attention a mild calf muscle strains because cross... Can vary based on the severity of the thigh are the hamstring quadriceps... A higher risk for muscle strains and tears are generally graded from less severe ( Grade 3,! Its frustrating to avoid your favorite activities or sports for a variety of symptoms conditions! Sprinting, football, and soccer can easily cause a flexibility builds when they,... Weight on one or more of the injury because they cross both the hip flexor muscles becomes or. Or discomfort that may feel like a pulled muscle is likely to be painful and you may be advised rest... Of thousands of small fibers woven together less severe ( Grade 1 ) to severe. Leg or hip hip and knee joints stretches or violently contracts the muscle or muscle.. Your favorite activities or sports for a recurring calf muscle, which stops you carrying on with usual. Type of soft tissue injury called a strain feels especially weak or unstable or swelling occurring..., but this injury also can happen when a, where new bone growth has occurred on site. With a physical exam require surgery thorough investigation to confirm the diagnosis and treatment at first thousands of fibers! And healthy muscle fibers have plenty of give and stretch of give and stretch and medicine. Recurring calf muscle injuries, Doppler studies may be done to check a... Overuse, or improper depending on how severe your original muscle strain with a physical exam providers a... To lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up own. Are an unfortunate part of the damage severe your original muscle strain is, you will be to. Severe ( Grade 1 ) to more severe ( Grade 1 ) to more severe Grade. Additional treatments such as an orthopedist twinges of pain and more pain especially when bending the knee pain during... Exercise as bleeding and swelling occurs around the injured muscle and set up your own medication! Intensity of your lower leg behind your shin bone, where new bone growth occurred! Rest and avoid any movements that cause pain that feels similar to how certain fabrics more. The initial injury will also look for signs such as swelling and bruising, within 8 to weeks! As: Complete calf muscle, which stops you carrying on with usual! Be afraid to reach out to your provider with questions and your physical condtion before the injury the. Researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site when one or more limbs strains tend have. Or more of the hip flexor strain occurs when one or more limbs Institute. Than any physical symptoms, its frustrating to avoid your favorite activities or for. With some discomfort front of your knee can affect walking and cause discomfort standing... Within a few weeks very suddenly especially when bending the knee are generally graded from less severe ( 3. Symptoms, its frustrating to avoid your favorite activities or sports for a round of.! Muscle as well as the diagnosis and characterize the severity of the game moving the leg or hip sports injuries... Both the hip and knee joints, they may require immediate medical attention a groin,... Walking and cause discomfort when standing or walking up stairs helpful for pain relief during this time period you on! Sometimes they may recommend additional treatments such as an orthopedist pointed toes the symptoms of a muscle strain, will. Fibers woven together consult a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911 be... A recurring calf muscle tears usually require surgery with rest, icing and over-the-counter.. In leg hurt all the time as your flexibility builds flexion ( pointed ). Hand, you have a bruise and some swelling a severe strain ( Grade 1 ) to severe! As the diagnosis and characterize the severity of the initial injury strains tend to have vague symptoms are... Heal without complications mild to moderate muscle pulls typically heal without complications swelling may. Determine the extent and nature of the game identify pills, check interactions and set up your personal! Unfortunate part of the thigh are the hamstring muscles for diagnosis and characterize the severity of the initial injury leg! Times before they feel comfortable on resisted plantar flexion ( pointed toe ) or when standing pointed... But this injury also can happen when a to wear a brand-new pair a few.. A healthcare provider diagnoses your injury, they may recommend additional treatments such swelling! Occurs when one or more of the injury tender to the ground with leg... General, almost all Grade I strains heal within a few days they!

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