For some injuries, such as a torn tendon, surgery may be considered. All rights reserved. Rest the injured muscle (take a temporary break from sports activities). A muscle strain is an injury to a muscle or a tendon the fibrous tissue that connects muscles to bones. Sit with your feet together and knees bent. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. 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. Finding medical care as soon as possible offers the best chance of healing successfully without complications. A sensation of being hit on the back of the lower leg. Its a common injury with athletes that do a lot of stop-and-go movements, but it can also affect older, active individuals. Also called calf muscle strains, this injury can involve mild overstretching or complete tearing of the muscle. After surgery, you may wear a cast in plantarflexion for three weeks, and then a gentle dorsiflexion stretch cast for another three weeks. See a doctor if your symptoms worsen despite treatment especially if your pain becomes intolerable, or you experience numbness or tingling. A pulled calf muscle occurs when you overstretch the muscles in the back of your lower leg. New bungee cords and healthy muscle fibers have plenty of give and stretch. There are many reasons for mild to severe pain behind the knee. 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). Initial treatment includes rest, ice, compression and elevation. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Chronic strains are overuse injuries from repetitive motions. Other signs of a pulled calf muscle include: A severe pull in your calf muscles can leave you with feelings of sharp pain. Read our. Massaging your ankle after a sprain may help reduce pain and swelling, but you also want to be careful. They are repetitive strain injuriesthe result of prolonged, repetitive overuse of the muscle or muscle group. NSAIDs help reduce swelling and relieve pain and soreness. This injury is especially common when your toes get forced upward (toward your body) and your ankle pulls your calf muscles down too quickly. To confirm a diagnosis, the doctor will examine you. DOSAGE. Recovery involves an extended period of rest followed by physical therapy to help strengthen the muscles and ensure stability. There is significant pain and swelling at the site of the injury. Your doctor can begin or change your treatment to help you manage depression. Does a blood clot in leg hurt all the time? Accessed 5/29/2021. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier Saunders; 2012. https://www.clinicalkey.com. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Symptoms for a front leg sprain are limping, hesitance to walk, pain when touched, and lifting the affected leg off the ground while walking. This content does not have an English version. Just because an injury is common doesnt mean your situation isnt unique. Severe or rapidly worsening pain. Once the cast is off, your healthcare provider will tell you when you can resume light physical activity. Safran MR, et al. Theyre one of the most common injuries people experience. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. 10 Things to Know About Psoriatic Arthritis. 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. When it comes to sports, injuries are an unfortunate part of the game. This is a common injury, especially among athletes and runners. 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. People often report the sensation of pain as the feeling of being "stabbed." Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2018. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Loosen the wrap if the pain increases, the area becomes numb or swelling is occurring below the wrapped area. A sudden sharp pain in the lower leg. After a knee injury, it is common for the damaged area to be stiff and to experience a decrease in your range of motion. This article describes the symptoms of pulled groin muscle as well as the diagnosis, treatment, and recovery times. William C. Lloyd III, MD, FACS. Pain on resisted plantar flexion (pointed toe) or when standing on pointed toes. Strains are injuries to muscles or tendons (tissues that attach muscles to bones). Ask your healthcare provider when you can gradually start to do light activities again. Your favorite pair of jeans have plenty of flexibility to them because youve stretched them out over years. How exactly were you moving when the injury occurred? INGREDIENTS. For anyone doing a lot of walking or climbing in a short amount of time, the quadriceps can become strained by the exertion. Bruising If there is discoloration or bruising on the leg of your pet, it may be a sign that a muscle was pulled. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Even if you dont play sports or work out often, you can still strain a muscle, especially if you suddenly exert yourself much harder than you usually do. Other conditions can be confused with a groin pull, and they may need different treatments. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. Elevation. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/sprains-strains-and-other-soft-tissue-injuries. Physical therapy is almost invariably a part of the treatment plan. Your doctor may also recommend therapeutic exercises to treat your pain and restore range of motion. Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. In: Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. redness or discoloration of the sore spot. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Your doctor may suggest that you immobilize the area with a brace or splint. 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. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. 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. Snapping or popping sensation in your calf. More severe cases may require surgery or physical therapy. 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. You can usually treat them at home with rest, icing and over-the-counter medicine. Another study of soccer players identified gastrocnemius strains as making up 12% of all muscle injuries. Pain in the back of the thigh and lower buttock when walking . Sharp pain at the back of your knee can affect walking and cause discomfort when standing or walking up stairs. Any movement that forces you to extend your calf muscle or put added pressure on it will let you know in a hurry if there's been a pull. Then, carefully follow your treatment and recovery plan. Regular stretching can help relieve calf pain and prevent these muscles from becoming tight. Unless theyre very severe, you can treat a muscle strain at home with rest, icing and over-the-counter medicine. Accessed April 27, 2018. 2012 Nov;4(4):253-257. A hip flexor strain occurs when one or more of the hip flexor muscles becomes stretched or torn. Strains are classified with three grades to indicate how severe they are. Pulled hip muscles usually feel like an intense burning or aching sensation, which can become worse with movement. 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. You'll probably lose some strength in your muscle, which stops you carrying on with your usual activities. Go to the emergency room right away if you experience any of the following symptoms: Straining a muscle is painful. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Muscle strains happen when you tear a muscle. Cleveland Clinic offers expert diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation for bone, joint or connective tissue disorders and rheumatic and immunologic diseases. Oluseun Olufade, MD, is a board-certified orthopedist. Chest. The best advice for preventing pulled leg muscles is to take time to warm up and cool down for golf or any activity. General principles of orthopedic injuries. Injuries, blood clots, and inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis may cause leg pain. You can still walk with a mild strain, but it may be uncomfortable. [1] Generally, the muscle or tendon overstretches and partially tears, under more physical stress than it can withstand, often from a sudden increase in duration, intensity, or frequency of an activity. Wearing supportive footwear that fits properly. You can usually tell if you've pulled a groin muscle because you will feel the pain immediately. After surgery to repair a Grade III strain, most people regain normal leg muscle function after several months of rehabilitation. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. 2nd ed. The exercises help strengthen the adductor muscles, stabilize the pelvis, and strengthen the core muscles of the mid-torso (including the abdominal, oblique, and multifidus back muscles). Other symptoms you may have Swelling or tenderness at the front of your hip. Make a donation. A groin pull can be quite painful, interfering with your ability to walk, navigate stairs, or even drive a car. Strains are what happens when some of the thousands of fibers in your muscles are pulled beyond their limit and tear. We look at what splints are available to effectively stabilize fingers for a number of concerns and needs. Sprains and strains. During the physical exam, your doctor will check for swelling and points of tenderness. Its common to injure both types of tissue during a strain. Athletes may also experience immediate swelling or bruising, limited mobility, or inability to bear weight on the injured leg. Anyone can get a pulled calf muscle. If youre still feeling pain after a few weeks of at-home treatments, talk to your provider. A hip flexor strain occurs when one or more of the hip flexor muscles becomes stretched or torn. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2018. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. A pulled calf muscle is a common injury thats easily treated at home unless complications arise. Your provider will tell you which medications to take based on your specific symptoms. Grade II strains may take two to three months. 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. The best way to prevent these problems is to seek prompt medical care for muscle pain, soreness or weakness. Its common to have a pulled neck muscle, pulled back muscle, or pulled calf muscle. Lumps and bumps along the surface of your shin bone, where new bone growth has occurred. Walls RM, et al., eds. The hamstring and quadriceps muscle groups are particularly at risk for muscle strains because they cross both the hip and knee joints. Sensations like tingling, cramps, and numbness may also occur. This group of six muscles is connected to each other via the thigh bone and pelvis. Theyre painful. Walking on recovering calf muscles can also increase recovery time. 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