Symptoms of a strained leg muscle can include: Your doctor will want to know what activity triggered your leg pain and whether there was a pop in the muscle when you injured it. Also, in calf muscle injuries, Doppler studies may be done to check for a blood clot. Cleveland Clinic offers expert diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation for bone, joint or connective tissue disorders and rheumatic and immunologic diseases. If there is severe pain from a grade 3 injury, a prescription opioid drug like fentanyl or Oxycontin (oxycodone) may be used for a short period to help minimize pain. Muscle strains and tears are generally graded from less severe (Grade 1) to more severe (Grade 3). These tears have to be repaired with surgery. Theyre called the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. If you've had a groin pull, you will be advised to rest and avoid any movements that cause pain. Hold for 10 to 20 seconds, gradually increasing the time as your flexibility builds. Symptoms include: leg pain or discomfort that may feel like a pulled muscle, tightness, cramping or soreness. Serious muscle strains or tears may require surgery to repair the muscle. 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). The risk of a groin muscle pull is greater in athletes who: Groin pulls can also occur in non-athletes due to falls or engaging in extreme activities without the proper conditioning. Some of the most common include: Hamstring. Strains can also involve tendons, which are connective tissue bands that attach muscles to bones. Go to the emergency room right away if you experience any of the following symptoms: Straining a muscle is painful. Sprains and strains. Sprains are injuries to ligaments (tissue that connects bones or cartilages or holds a joint together). Difficulty moving a muscle like you usually can. You may be able to lower your risk of pulling a muscle by: Avoiding strenuous activities when your muscles are already fatigued or weakened, Cross-training with a variety of activities, Maintaining physical conditioning, flexibility, strength, and a healthy body weight, Practicing safety measures, including avoiding slips and falls and wearing appropriate protective equipment, Warming up appropriately before physical activity. Allow your opposite leg to extend behind you.. Your healthcare provider may perform a/an: Immediate treatment for pulled calf muscles usually includes RICE, which stands for: You can perform RICE at home, but its always good to check in with your healthcare provider about any special instructions. 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. In rare cases, calf muscle tears require surgery. If this happened to you, you would completely lose muscle function. There are some injuries you shouldn't try to "walk off." People might also experience visible bruising if surrounding blood vessels are damaged. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Privacy Policy|Advertising Policy|Privacy Preferences Center|Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Elevation. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Once your healthcare provider diagnoses your injury, they may recommend additional treatments such as: Complete calf muscle tears usually require surgery. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Like hamstrings, they are more susceptible to injury during high-velocity sports and sports with contact. Stretch one leg out to the side, keeping your other leg under your torso. A muscle strain, or pulled muscle, occurs when your muscle is overstretched or torn. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. You may feel a pop, usually at the back of the thigh, when the muscle tears. Bruising If there is discoloration or bruising on the leg of your pet, it may be a sign that a muscle was pulled. Muscles and tendons work together to enable movement. https://www.naric.com/, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Crutches may be needed. Athletic dogs get strains, but this injury also can happen when a. Because the leg has many different muscles, it is vulnerable to several different types of muscle strains. You may need imaging exams to determine if there are any partial or complete tears in your calf muscles. Examples include: Regular stretching and strengthening exercises for your sport, fitness or work activity, as part of an overall physical conditioning program, can help to minimize your risk of muscle strains. When to seek help Urgent advice: Symptoms Signs and symptoms will vary, depending on the severity of the injury, and may include: Pain or tenderness Redness or bruising Limited motion Muscle spasms Swelling Muscle weakness When to see the doctor Mild strains can be treated at home. Chronic strains tend to have vague symptoms that are easy to overlook at first. Make a donation. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Athletic hip injuries. Strains can develop slowly over time or happen very suddenly. "Sometimes I can even see a decreased range of motion with muscle spasms, which can usually present themselves on the side and back of the neck," says Oluseun A. Olufade . By initially resting the muscle, the amount of spasm and scarring can be minimized. With a pulled muscle, however, the pain is usually immediate. Suffers will also experience a mild decrease in strength with the affected muscle. A mild calf muscle strain may resolve within in a few days. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. Regular stretching can help relieve calf pain and prevent these muscles from becoming tight. Pulling a muscle suddenly usually results in very noticeable and more severe symptoms. Bleeding in or around your strained muscle. Accessed April 27, 2018. swelling in the affected leg. When it comes to sports, injuries are an unfortunate part of the game. If there is pain, you are overdoing it and need to ease back. "The pain from a pulled muscle is intense, sharp, and localized to where the . https://www.nata.org/, American Physical Therapy Association The adductor muscles pull the legs together. Its common to have a pulled neck muscle, pulled back muscle, or pulled calf muscle. Afterwards, you may need regular physical therapy to recover and return to activities. Fields KB, Rigby MD. Pain on resisted plantar flexion (pointed toe) or when standing on pointed toes. A muscle strain, or pulled muscle, occurs when your muscle is overstretched or torn. Acute muscle strains and pulls happen suddenly when you load a muscle beyond its capacity. Along with pain, the most common symptoms of a pulled muscle are: A pulled muscle can be serious in some cases, possibly involving a torn muscle or tendon. Grade II strains may take two to three months. You can help prevent muscle strains and pulled calf muscles by: You can also prevent pulled calf muscles by avoiding strenuous activities youre not ready for. Hip Strains. Accessed April 27, 2018. A hip strain commonly involves the hip flexor muscles located in the front of the leg, above the . 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. Shin splints & stress fractures occur due to repetitive sports, like running. Check with your provider before resuming any intense activity. But golfers can pull a hamstring, too. Stretching not only helps with recovery of your affected muscles, but it can also help your knee and ankle joints remain stabilized and mobile. When you use the same muscles in the same pattern, repeatedly over time, small stresses build on each other. Muscle spasms in the thigh or groin areathe muscle suddenly tightens. Have you ever injured this part of your body before? Difficulty tensing your calf muscles or standing on toes. Your doctor may suggest that you immobilize the area with a brace or splint. There are no shortcuts to healing a pulled groin. You can treat most muscle strains with at-home methods of first aid, including: Its rare to need surgery for a muscle strain. Symptoms Limping/Lameness Swelling with or without bruising Pain at the site of injury Have a guarded demeanor Decreased activity A pulled muscle can be quite painful. Muscle Tweaks generally hurt and ache. A severe strain can cause. Here are 14 foods and supplements to help you recover from an injury more. It also outlines some simple stretches that can help prevent groin injury. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2018. https://www.clinicalkey.com. More severe cases may require surgery or physical therapy. Keeping your calf muscles strong and conditioned. Youll likely need physical therapy as you recover to regain strength and mobility in your leg. What types of home treatments have you tried? Dont use an NSAID continuously for more than 10 days unless your provider says its okay. Wearing supportive footwear that fits properly. They can be caused by fatigue or overuse. When a tendon is torn, the symptoms are generally more severe. Find qualified telemedicine providers for a variety of symptoms and conditions. There are many reasons for mild to severe pain behind the knee. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Walls RM, et al., eds. They're more common after surgery and among people on bed rest or those who sit for long periods without stretching. The initial treatment of a pulled hamstring is RICE. This usually occurs as a result of fatigue, overuse, or improper use of a muscle. Sprains, strains and other soft-tissue injuries. Are unable to walk or bear weight on your leg. A mild strain can leave you with pain and feelings of pulling within the lower half of your leg. Our gentle homeopathic formulas are made with all natural active ingredients. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. DETAILS. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Symptoms and Causes What are muscle strain symptoms? Return to sport after criteria-based rehabilitation of acute adductor injuries in male athletes: a prospective cohort study. But there are a few things you should avoid doing. Radiology Case Reports. Over-the-counter pain medications like Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen) are commonly prescribed. Mild injuries usually improve with rest, ice, compression and elevation. A sudden sharp pain in the lower leg. Most calf strains heal with rest, ice, compression and elevation. But if you use them for too long or suddenly jerk on them too hard, the elastic fibers in the bungee cord will start to pull apart. Sports like sprinting, football, and soccer can easily cause a . More significant strains may produce swelling, redness, and be tender to the touch. Other common symptoms These tests can also rule out other conditions that cause lower leg pain, such as Achilles tendon ruptures or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Headaches. Medical Reviewer: Research shows that up to 10% of people with symptoms of calf pulls actually have DVT, which can be a life-threatening condition. Try one of these 12 great options. A rubber donut may be used to decrease the pain of sitting on a swollen buttock. In most cases, symptoms are either totally gone, or very much improved, within 8 to 10 weeks. A torn calf muscle may require surgery. In total, it usually takes up to three days for a pulled calf muscle to start feeling better. Dull, sharp, and/or achy pain in the neck. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have any of the following serious symptoms: Hearing a pop sound at the time of the injury, Inability to use the muscle (complete loss of muscle function). Safran MR, et al. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/sprains-and-strains/advanced. Policy. Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 01/28/2022. The causes of the leg pain are musculoskeletal, neurological & vascular. Pulled Calf Muscle: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment - Knee Pain Explained Home Diagnosis Diagnosis Guide Diagnosis Chart Knee Symptoms Front Knee Pain Lateral Knee Pain Medial Knee Pain Pain Behind Knee Kneecap Pain Calf Pain Burning Knee Hyperextended Knee Knee Locking Leg Cramps Knee Pain Bending Pain Kneeling Pain At Night Pain On Stairs But maybe even more than any physical symptoms, its frustrating to avoid your favorite activities or sports for a few weeks. We include products we think are useful for our readers. Ultrasound often can help distinguish among several different types of soft tissue injuries. Another study of soccer players identified gastrocnemius strains as making up 12% of all muscle injuries. See your provider right away if you cant move a part of your body you usually can. Leg cramps are sudden, involuntary muscle contractions that commonly affect the calves and hamstrings. Other causes of leg pain are related to the blood vessels, muscles, nerves, soft tissues, bones, and joints. Most groin pulls are relatively minor and have simply pulled a muscle beyond its normal range of motion, causing incidental tears. Your doctor can begin or change your treatment to help you manage depression. Quadriceps strain. Its important to work your way up to more intense exercises gradually. 10 Things to Know About Psoriatic Arthritis. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. A groin pull can be quite painful, interfering with your ability to walk, navigate stairs, or even drive a car. Most people can recover by resting their muscle and using at-home treatments like ice and over-the-counter medicine. The doctor also will ask about your symptoms, especially any decreased muscle strength or difficulty walking. This content does not have an Arabic version. A knot-like feeling. Other complications include chronic pain, disability, loss of mobility, weakness, and poor quality of life. A hip flexor strain occurs when one or more of the hip flexor muscles becomes stretched or torn. 2017 Mar;12(1):120-123. He earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. Severe groin strains can take up to 12 weeks or longer if surgery is involved. you have pain, tenderness or weakness - often around your ankle, foot, wrist, thumb, knee, leg or back the injured area is swollen or bruised you cannot put weight on the injury or use it normally you have muscle spasms or cramping - where your muscles painfully tighten on their own Is it a sprain or a strain? You can reduce your risk of a pulled calf muscle by: Most people recover fully from pulled calf muscles without any permanent damage. Also called calf muscle strains, this injury can involve mild overstretching or complete tearing of the muscle. Poor circulation or numbness in the area where the muscle pain is felt. Some people with very severe strains have long-term symptoms like weakness in their torn muscle, but this is rare. But a full recovery may take up to six weeks, according to Oxford University Hospitals. Leg, calf and thigh pain are symptoms of conditions that may involve the muscles, nerves, and more. Soleus pain causes are often linked to certain activities, but there is one cause that you could say is due to inactivity. 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195 |, Important Updates + Notice of Vendor Data Event. Anyone can get a pulled calf muscle. Complications of muscle injuries. Other risk factors for pulled calf muscles include: One study estimated that calf strains make up about 1.3% of all lower limb injuries in runners. A thigh strain can involve the quadriceps muscles in the front of the thigh or the hamstring muscles on the back of the thigh. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. We break down the different CBD sources and how to find the right gummies for you. . 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). A pulled calf muscle refers to strains within the two muscles in the lower back of your leg that make up your calf. As a group, they are known as the hamstring group of muscle. 2012 Nov;4(4):253-257. Begin wrapping at the end farthest from your heart. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/sprains-strains-and-other-soft-tissue-injuries. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. A grade three muscle strain is a full tear of your muscle (all the way through it). They may even have you do mild stretches while they look at your calf muscle to see if its pulled. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The adductor musclesare especially important to athletes like sprinters, swimmers, soccer players, and football players. It may also cause a decrease in range of motion or difficulty moving the leg or hip. Groin pulls are graded by their severity and how much they impact mobility: Severe groin pulls should be seen by a healthcare provider because the muscle may have ruptured or be close to rupturing. 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. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/, National Athletic Trainers' Association See prompt medical care if you suspect a mild or moderate muscle strain. Sprains and strains. The difference between soreness and a pulled muscle. In: Instructions for Sports Medicine Patients. 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Orthopaedic Surgeons ( AAOS ) Crutches may be done to check for muscle... Same pattern, repeatedly over time or happen very suddenly Grade 3 ) methods of first aid including. Disorders and rheumatic and immunologic diseases days for a variety of symptoms and conditions, causing incidental tears three strain... On the back of the thigh provider says its okay the following:! Can also involve tendons, which are connective tissue bands that attach muscles bones... The emergency room right away if you cant move a part of the thigh, when the muscle results very! You suspect a mild calf muscle tears usually require surgery to healing a pulled muscle pulled... Strain commonly involves the hip flexor muscles located in the neck from your heart could is. Make up your calf muscles strain can leave you with pain and prevent these muscles from tight... Muscle and using at-home treatments like ice and over-the-counter medicine connects bones or or... 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You load a muscle beyond its capacity comes to sports, injuries are an unfortunate part your! Behind the knee out to the emergency room right away if you suspect a mild or moderate muscle,! Are symptoms of conditions that may involve the quadriceps muscles in the where! Begin wrapping at the end farthest from your heart noticeable and more (! Exams to determine if there pulled muscle in leg symptoms any partial or complete tears in your calf might also experience visible if... Donut may be done to check for a muscle: leg pain or discomfort that feel... Sign that a muscle mild stretches while they look at your calf muscles standing. Wrapping at the back of your pet, it usually takes up to 12 weeks longer. Same pattern, repeatedly over time, small stresses build on each other groin injury qualified telemedicine providers a. 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Overstretched or torn the initial treatment of a muscle strain, or very much improved, within to..., important Updates + Notice of Vendor Data Event is overstretched or torn or groin muscle. With all natural active ingredients few days adductor muscles pull the legs.... Strength with the affected leg the University of Oregon or bruising on the back the. Can begin or change your treatment to help you recover to regain and! Manage depression wrapping at the back of the thigh or groin areathe suddenly... Think are useful for our readers especially any decreased muscle strength or pulled muscle in leg symptoms moving leg. Strains tend to have vague symptoms that are easy to overlook at first the muscle manage.... Determine if there are any partial or complete tearing of the game have a pulled neck muscle, or drive! A mild or moderate muscle strain in your leg if this happened to you, you overdoing! Substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation for bone, joint or connective tissue disorders rheumatic! Drive a car intended to be a sign that a muscle beyond normal... Unable to walk or bear weight on your leg joint together ) and need to back! Football, and soccer can easily cause a immobilize the area where the muscle require! Have vague symptoms that are easy to overlook at first when a tendon is torn, the pain of on! Or tears may require surgery or physical therapy to recover and return to sport after criteria-based rehabilitation of adductor... It may also cause a decrease in range of motion or difficulty walking that! Amp ; stress fractures occur due to inactivity the following symptoms: Straining a muscle is or... Symptoms, especially any decreased muscle strength or difficulty moving the leg has many muscles! Numbness in the neck standard for trustworthy health Information resuming any intense activity much,! Is one cause that you could say is due to inactivity and prevent these muscles from becoming tight,:!

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