Keeping your leg elevated above your head as much as possible for the first day after a pull and applying ice packs to the calf four times a day for about 20 minutes at a time should help relieve the pain and help the effected muscle fibers begin repairing themselves. Dont be afraid to reach out to your provider with questions. A strain of the thigh/hip is a stretching or tearing of a muscle and is commonly referred to as a "pulled muscle.". Sometimes the injury is called tennis leg.. Your healthcare provider will perform a physical exam and review your symptoms. Most athletes know what the injury is the moment it occurs. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The symptoms of a pulled muscle range from mild to severe, depending on the extent of the injury. 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. Use of this website and any information contained herein is governed by the Healthgrades User Agreement. Need a Telehealth Visit? You may also want to include exercises that strengthen your adductor, pelvic, and core muscles. You can usually treat them at home with rest, icing and over-the-counter medicine. Cheng Y, Yang H, Sun Z, Ni L, Zhang H. Surgical Treatment of Gastrocnemius Muscle Ruptures. 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. Sports like sprinting, football, and soccer can easily cause a . Copyright 2023 Healthgrades Marketplace, LLC, Patent US Nos. Squat to the ground with one leg in front of your body. Stretching not only helps with recovery of your affected muscles, but it can also help your knee and ankle joints remain stabilized and mobile. Acute muscle strains and pulls happen suddenly when you load a muscle beyond its capacity. Pain on the side of the hip or in your buttocks Swelling or inflammation Difficulty sitting Limping while walking Decreased hip range of motion Rotating hip causes discomfort Pain at night, sometimes preventing sleep If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it's essential to get an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon as soon as possible. Your provider will tell you which medications to take based on your specific symptoms. This article describes the symptoms of pulled groin muscle as well as the diagnosis, treatment, and recovery times. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. Muscles strains and hernias can both be caused by overuse, but theyre different injuries. Make sure to tell them what you were doing when you first noticed your symptoms. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. With a minor tear you may be able to continue activities or sport with minimal restriction. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. A pulled calf muscle refers to strains within the two muscles in the lower back of your leg that make up your calf. Quadriceps strain. Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) can be helpful for pain relief during this time period. For some injuries, such as a torn tendon, surgery may be considered. Your doctor may suggest that you immobilize the area with a brace or splint. (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. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. There are many reasons for mild to severe pain behind the knee. But you can have a strained muscle in other areas, including the groin, thigh, feet, ankles, arms and hands. Gastrocnemius vs. soleus strain: How to differentiate and deal with calf muscle strains. Even so, a healthcare provider will want to perform a thorough investigation to confirm the diagnosis and characterize the severity of the injury. A groin pullcan be quite painful, interfering with your ability to walk, navigate stairs, or even drive a car. A severe strain can cause. See a doctor if your symptoms worsen despite treatment especially if your pain becomes intolerable, or you experience numbness or tingling. Muscles located in the Back of the thigh are the Hamstring muscles. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. There is significant pain and swelling at the site of the injury. But there are a few things you should avoid doing. For serious injuries, an MRI can help show possible tissue damage to the muscle. You know you should stay off it for a while. Other complications include chronic pain, disability, loss of mobility, weakness, and poor quality of life. The hip flexors are a group of muscles toward the front of the hip.They help you move, or flex, your leg and knee up towards your body. A hip strain commonly involves the hip flexor muscles located in the front of the leg, above the . A mid-grade hamstring pull might have some swelling, twinges of pain and more pain especially when bending the knee against resistance. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Comprehensive approach to the evaluation of groin pain. Theres also a risk for a recurring calf muscle strain within one to two weeks of the initial injury. The hamstring and quadriceps muscle groups are particularly at risk for muscle strains because they cross both the hip and knee joints. Then, carefully follow your treatment and recovery plan. doi:10.5812/traumamon.12666, Serner A, Weir A, Tol JL, et al. 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. https://www.naric.com/, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) 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. Strain. A mild to moderate pulled muscle usually responds to home treatment. This information can help your healthcare provider make a diagnosis. "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 . Overcompensation is overworking and straining the muscle. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. People often report the sensation of pain as the feeling of being "stabbed." Theyre common in athletes and people who are especially active. Third Party materials included herein protected under copyright law. Research shows that up to 10% of people with symptoms of calf pulls actually have DVT, which can be a life-threatening condition. All rights reserved. Some muscles are more susceptible to strains than others. Injuries, blood clots, and inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis may cause leg pain. Swelling Swelling may sometimes be present on a leg with a pulled muscle. Hip strain quiz Take a quiz to find out if you have hip strain. Quick pivots, jumps or abrupt stops can cause strains. Hip Strains. 7,752,060 and 8,719,052. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Grade II strains may take two to three months. The muscles at the front of thigh are the most powerful in the body, but they are still vulnerable to pulls and strains. A sudden sharp pain in the lower leg. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/, National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC) You can still walk with a mild strain, but it may be uncomfortable. Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit organization. Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 06/03/2021. You need general anesthesia for this procedure and may need to stay in the hospital for a few days. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. These tests can also rule out other conditions that cause lower leg pain, such as Achilles tendon ruptures or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Advertising on our site helps support our mission. 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. 11 Things Your Orthopedic Specialist Wants You to Know. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Difficulty moving a muscle like you usually can. With a pulled muscle, however, the pain is usually immediate. Also called calf muscle strains, this injury can involve mild overstretching or complete tearing of the muscle. Are unable to walk or bear weight on your leg. 2nd ed. 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. You can usually tell if you've pulled a groin muscle because you will feel the pain immediately. Sprains are injuries to ligaments (tissue that connects bones or cartilages or holds a joint together). The more you work them out and gradually stretch them, the more flexibility and give they have when you move. Pain usually increases when you move the muscle, but it is relieved by rest. You will probably notice pain and swelling,. It's a common injury in athletes and can happen in different severities. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. 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/. A pulled calf muscle occurs when you overstretch the muscles in the back of your lower leg. Muscles pull against the periosteum (outer bone layer) causing pain and inflammation. Healthgrades Can Help. Have you ever injured this part of your body before? Some groin pulls can be severe and cause a muscle to completely rupture. A grade two strain is when more of your muscle fibres are injured. Tingling. Looking for the best CBD gummies? Symptoms of pulled muscles in dogs Leg sprains and strains can be caused by simple, everyday activities, such as running, jumping, and playing roughly. 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. Poor circulation or numbness in the area where the muscle pain is felt. Pulled calf muscles may be chronic from long-term injury or acute from brief overpulling. Strain. Signs and Symptoms . Knowing the symptoms of a pulled leg muscle will help you decide on the right course of action. Severe groin strains can take up to 12 weeks or longer if surgery is involved. About 30 percent of people with muscle injuries end up having repeated injuries. A calf muscle pull will leave the muscle feeling sore, tender and stiff. 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195 |, Important Updates + Notice of Vendor Data Event. 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. 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. Veterinarians can use thermography to aid in diagnosis, along with palpation, ultrasound . Leg Swelling Pain is another warning sign of a DVT blood clot. The content on Healthgrades does not provide medical advice. A pulled calf muscle is diagnosed with a symptom check. 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. Follow an exercise program aimed at stretching and strengthening your leg muscles. If you start working out or playing sports again before your muscle is healed, youre at an increased risk of re-injuring it and hurting your muscle worse than the original strain. No need for water and no stomach discomfort. Your dog might whimper in pain when you touch the tender area; this is a sign that something is wrong. In: Instructions for Sports Medicine Patients. While sitting, cross one leg over the other. Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit organization. Theyre called the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. Mild strains can be successfully treated at home. Our gentle homeopathic formulas are made with all natural active ingredients. Leg cramps are sudden, involuntary muscle contractions that commonly affect the calves and hamstrings. If you have agroin strain, a stretching program will also help by keeping the muscles flexible and less prone to tears. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Your healthcare provider will tell you which kind of surgery youll need and what you can expect. Redness. 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. 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. This eventually causes wear and tear on the muscle leading to a strain. Return to sport after criteria-based rehabilitation of acute adductor injuries in male athletes: a prospective cohort study. When a strain occurs, muscle fibers are torn to some degree. You can reduce your risk of a pulled calf muscle by: Most people recover fully from pulled calf muscles without any permanent damage. The symptoms of a pulled muscle vary, depending on the exact situation, the specific person, and the extent of the 'pull'. 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. Take hip strain quiz What makes you more likely to have it? Muscle strains happen when you tear a muscle. You may feel a pop, usually at the back of the thigh, when the muscle tears. Regular stretching can help relieve calf pain and prevent these muscles from becoming tight. Check with your provider before resuming any intense activity. More severe cases may require surgery or physical therapy. Spasms. Difficulty in moving the affected limb. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). In the leg, muscle strains happen when a muscle is either stretched beyond its limits or forced into extreme contraction. Review of sport-induced groin injuries.Trauma Mon. Safran MR, et al. Along with pain, the most common symptoms of a pulled muscle are: Bruising Limited range of motion Muscle cramping or spasms Muscle weakness Swelling Symptoms that might indicate a more serious condition A pulled muscle can be serious in some cases, possibly involving a torn muscle or tendon. Compression is especially important to try to minimize swelling and bleeding into the muscle. While most cases of calf pain can be treated at home, sometimes they may require immediate medical attention. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information. Muscles strains are caused by tears in the fibers of your muscles. (https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/sprains-strains-and-other-soft-tissue-injuries/). Cleveland Clinic offers expert diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation for bone, joint or connective tissue disorders and rheumatic and immunologic diseases. To get the care you need, follow these guidelines for choosing the right surgeon and hospital. This content does not have an Arabic version. Often an athlete will feel a sudden grabbing or tearing sensation in the muscle, and will then be unable to continue their activities. Increasing your overall flexibility will also protect your muscles from future injuries. A mild calf muscle strain may resolve within in a few days. When to seek help Urgent advice: The best advice for preventing pulled leg muscles is to take time to warm up and cool down for golf or any activity. What types of home treatments have you tried? 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. Bruising If there is discoloration or bruising on the leg of your pet, it may be a sign that a muscle was pulled. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy degree from West Virginia University and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy. But these strains are more common in athletes who perform lots of stop-and-go movements with quick bursts of speed. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Ice, elevation, and rest may be helpful. Sprains and Strains. Make sure to follow your doctors recommendations and let yourself rest to prevent any further injury. The hamstring and quadriceps muscle groups are particularly at risk for muscle strains because they cross both the hip and knee joints. Your experience can vary and may involve: 1 . Dont use an NSAID continuously for more than 10 days unless your provider says its okay. swelling in the affected leg. Pulled Hamstring Treatment. Accessed 5/29/2021. To confirm a diagnosis, the doctor will examine you. Certain parts of the body are more susceptible to strains during participation in certain sports. Tennis leg: gastrocnemius injury is a far more common cause than plantaris rupture. A knot-like feeling. Difficulty tensing your calf muscles or standing on toes. But your muscle needs to heal, and giving it that time is the best way to make sure youll be able to get back to what you love as soon as its safe. 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. Called calf muscle is either stretched beyond its capacity Updates + Notice Vendor. 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Pharmacy degree from West Virginia University and a doctor if your pain intolerable...