In such cases, you would need surgery to reattach the torn ends of the muscle. 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. Your muscles are made of thousands of small fibers woven together. A grade two strain is when more of your muscle fibres are injured. Sharp pain at the back of your knee can affect walking and cause discomfort when standing or walking up stairs. Compress the muscle with an elastic bandage. Fields KB, Rigby MD. Learn about symptoms and treatment. Also called calf muscle strains, this injury can involve mild overstretching or complete tearing of the muscle. All Rights Reserved. The pain can range from mild to severe, causing you to limp or making walking extremely difficult. If your primary care provider cannot pinpoint the cause, ask for a referral to a sports medicine specialist or an orthopedist who specializes in diseases and disorders of the skeleton and muscles. The content on Healthgrades does not provide medical advice. Mild to moderate muscle pulls typically heal without complications. The most common symptoms of DVT are swelling in an arm . Healthgrades Can Help. 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. Pulling a muscle suddenly usually results in very noticeable and more severe symptoms. All rights reserved. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy degree from West Virginia University and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy. 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. Are unable to walk or bear weight on your leg. The adductor musclesare especially important to athletes like sprinters, swimmers, soccer players, and football players. About 30 percent of people with muscle injuries end up having repeated injuries. Muscle spasms in the thigh or groin areathe muscle suddenly tightens. 7,752,060 and 8,719,052. Follow an exercise program aimed at stretching and strengthening your leg muscles. Try to be in shape to play your sport; don't play your sport to get in shape. Other complications include chronic pain, disability, loss of mobility, weakness, and poor quality of life. A muscle strain, or pulled muscle, occurs when your muscle is overstretched or torn. Policy. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. 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. The best way to prevent these problems is to seek prompt medical care for muscle pain, soreness or weakness. 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. 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. Sports like sprinting, football, and soccer can easily cause a . 2017 Apr;25(4):269-79, doi:10.5435/JAAOS-D-16-00171, Suarez JC, Ely EE, Mutnal AB, et al. Additional symptoms may include: Stiffness in the neck. Muscle pain and tenderness, especially after an activity that stretches or violently contracts the muscle. More severe cases may require surgery or physical therapy. Tingling. Muscle fatigue or weakness from overuse or underuse. Rest the injured muscle (take a temporary break from sports activities). Theyre the same injury with the same symptoms and treatments. A calf muscle pull will leave the muscle feeling sore, tender and stiff. Accessed April 27, 2018. You should expect to make a full recovery from a muscle strain. 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). 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. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Walls RM, et al., eds. A hip strain occurs when one of the muscles supporting the hip joint is stretched beyond its limit or torn. (2009). Your doctor may suggest that you immobilize the area with a brace or splint. Third Degree. These injuries can range from a mild muscle pull to a complete tear. Its common to injure both types of tissue during a strain. Other common symptoms A knot-like feeling. Bleeding in or around your strained muscle. This can happen if your dog stretches too far, too much, or too often. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Possible shoulder pain. Recovery involves an extended period of rest followed by physical therapy to help strengthen the muscles and ensure stability. Serious muscle strains or tears may require surgery to repair the muscle. 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. They may even have you do mild stretches while they look at your calf muscle to see if its pulled. A pulled calf muscle, or a calf muscle strain, occurs when the muscles in your calf the soleus and gastrocnemius get overstretched. Recovery after surgery can take up to six months. Recovery times can be extensive, lasting up to 12 weeks or more. Grade II strains may take two to three months. 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 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. Theres no difference between a strained muscled and a pulled muscle. Mild muscle strain can cause pain that feels similar to post-workout soreness. 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. You use crutches or an assistive device to move around. Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information. Muscle Strains in the Thigh. Veterinarians can use thermography to aid in diagnosis, along with palpation, ultrasound . 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. Muscles strains are caused by tears in the fibers of your muscles. Initial treatment includes rest, ice, compression and elevation. Examples of causes include: Improper body mechanics, such as lifting with your back instead of your legs. No need for water and no stomach discomfort. Back. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. Its important to describe in detail how you got the injury and how your calf felt immediately after the injury. Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information. "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. These are usually short term. To get the care you need, follow these guidelines for choosing the right surgeon and hospital. Its important to work your way up to more intense exercises gradually. Loosen the wrap if the pain increases, the area becomes numb or swelling is occurring below the wrapped area. 3 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. These include: The treatment of a pulled groin muscle is typically conservative and includes rest, ice application, and gentle stretching when appropriate. Alessandrino F, et al. Pain in the back of the thigh and lower buttock when walking . . Most people can recover by resting their muscle and using at-home treatments like ice and over-the-counter medicine. You need general anesthesia for this procedure and may need to stay in the hospital for a few days. You can strain muscles anywhere in your body. Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 06/03/2021. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Ice, elevation, and rest may be helpful. Knowing the symptoms of a pulled leg muscle will help you decide on the right course of action. Sarah Lewis is a pharmacist and a medical writer with over 25 years of experience in various areas of pharmacy practice. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. You can have DVT and not know it, especially if the clot is small. Traumatic causes: The Traumatic causes include sports injuries. Use of this website and any information contained herein is governed by the Healthgrades User Agreement. Sprains, strains and other soft-tissue injuries. Never push yourself too hard, too soon. 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 and Causes What are muscle strain symptoms? Without proper treatment and adequate recovery, serious muscle strains can cause permanent damage and limited range of motion. Muscles strains and hernias can both be caused by overuse, but theyre different injuries. This occurs when your calf muscle protrudes underneath your skin, creating a visible bump. Theres also a risk for a recurring calf muscle strain within one to two weeks of the initial injury. Pulled Hamstring: A Pain Real Pain in the Leg! People might also experience visible bruising if surrounding blood vessels are damaged. The more you work them out and gradually stretch them, the more flexibility and give they have when you move. Its the same way in your muscles. They are also used for high-speed activities, such as track and field events (running, hurdles, long jump), football, basketball, and soccer. Snapping or popping sensation in your calf. As a group, they are known as the hamstring group of muscle. 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. You may feel a pop, usually at the back of the thigh, when the muscle tears. Accessed 5/29/2021. Just because an injury is common doesnt mean your situation isnt unique. Some muscles are more susceptible to strains than others. However, if the diagnosis is in doubt, X-rays or a magnetic resonance imaging scan may be necessary. "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 . They might also cause other symptoms like bruising and weakness. 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). Groin pulls are often experienced by athletes who play ice hockey and soccer because they have to rapidly change directions, often with their legs in a splayed position. Strains can also involve tendons, which are connective tissue bands that attach muscles to bones. Muscle strains are common, painful injuries. The symptoms of a pulled muscle vary, depending on the exact situation, the specific person, and the extent of the 'pull'. Sit with your feet together and knees bent. Often an athlete will feel a sudden grabbing or tearing sensation in the muscle, and will then be unable to continue their activities. Your doctor can begin or change your treatment to help you manage depression. 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). If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911. Last medically reviewed on July 23, 2018. Along with your doctors treatment plan, some You may feel the blood clot pain is constant, and if you have any of these serious DVT symptoms, you must call a doctor immediately. 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. Simple stretches--not any that tax your flexibility too much, though--will help prepare your muscles for a few hours of exercise. During the physical exam, your doctor will check for swelling and points of tenderness. Current Sports Medicine Reports. Comprehensive approach to the evaluation of groin pain. There may also be a popping sound or snapping sensation. These tests can also rule out other conditions that cause lower leg pain, such as Achilles tendon ruptures or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Sprains and Strains. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Athletic hip injuries. Mild injuries usually improve with rest, ice, compression and elevation. 11 Things Your Orthopedic Specialist Wants You to Know. The following symptoms often accompany a muscle tear: Limping. James Roland is the editor of a monthly health publication that has approximately 75,000 subscribers in the United States and Canada. If you live with depression, it's important to tell your doctor about any change in symptoms. They are repetitive strain injuriesthe result of prolonged, repetitive overuse of the muscle or muscle group. Return to sport after criteria-based rehabilitation of acute adductor injuries in male athletes: a prospective cohort study. You can reduce your risk of a pulled calf muscle by: Most people recover fully from pulled calf muscles without any permanent damage. For serious injuries, an MRI can help show possible tissue damage to the muscle. Refusal to put any weight on one or more limbs. Pain along the front of the thigh or groin is the most typical symptom of a pulled quad. 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. Because the leg has many different muscles, it is vulnerable to several different types of muscle strains. Warm up before you participate in high-risk sports. Stretch your legs apart by gently pushing over your front knee. While most cases of calf pain can be treated at home, sometimes they may require immediate medical attention. Walking on recovering calf muscles can also increase recovery time. A pulled calf muscle is a common injury thats easily treated at home unless complications arise. Its a common injury with athletes that do a lot of stop-and-go movements, but it can also affect older, active individuals. Your doctor may also prescribe stronger pain medications these are only taken temporarily and shouldnt be used more often than as prescribed. We include products we think are useful for our readers. What are the Symptoms of a Calf Strain. A groin pull is an injury to the muscles of the inner thigh, also known as a groinmuscle strain. Its rare to need prescription medication like muscle relaxers for a muscle strain. Soleus pain causes are often linked to certain activities, but there is one cause that you could say is due to inactivity. With a minor tear you may be able to continue activities or sport with minimal restriction. A sudden sharp pain in the lower leg. People use the terms interchangeably. A torn calf muscle may require surgery. Overcompensation is overworking and straining the muscle. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/sprains-and-strains/advanced. Athletes may also experience immediate swelling or bruising, limited mobility, or inability to bear weight on the injured leg. Redness. Muscles pull against the periosteum (outer bone layer) causing pain and inflammation. The usual symptoms of this type of injury include pain, spasms of the muscle, swelling, bruising, and limited mobility. Other symptoms may include: spasm reduced range of movement swelling/ inflamation weakness Sprains, Strains, and Other Soft Tissue Injuries. Sprains, strains and other soft-tissue injuries. The adductor muscles pull the legs together. While not necessarily painful, this lump must be treated by a doctor to avoid further muscle injury. Go to the emergency room right away if you experience any of the following symptoms: Straining a muscle is painful. Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) can be helpful for pain relief during this time period. The doctor also will ask about your symptoms, especially any decreased muscle strength or difficulty walking. Radiology Case Reports. THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. A hip flexor strain occurs when one or more of the hip flexor muscles becomes stretched or torn. Severe swelling can make any pain and discomfort last a bit longer. Pulled Hamstring Treatment. Mild injuries usually improve with rest, ice, compression and elevation. 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. A pulled calf muscle is diagnosed with a symptom check. swelling in the affected leg. The hamstring and quadriceps muscle groups are particularly at risk for muscle strains because they cross both the hip and knee joints. A severe strain can limit your ability to move your hip. 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. Research shows that up to 10% of people with symptoms of calf pulls actually have DVT, which can be a life-threatening condition. Most groin pulls are relatively minor and have simply pulled a muscle beyond its normal range of motion, causing incidental tears. This content does not have an Arabic version. If you have a severe strain (Grade 3), you might need surgery to repair your torn muscle. A third degree side strain is a complete tear of the muscle or a tear of the muscle from the tendon. Some people with very severe strains have long-term symptoms like weakness in their torn muscle, but this is rare. Muscle strains can affect anyone. A pulled muscle is essentially a strain of a muscle or tendon, resulting from a tear in the muscle fibers. If you have a physically demanding occupation, regular conditioning can help prevent injuries. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. In: Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. If youre feeling pain for a few weeks after your injury or have severe symptoms, see your healthcare provider. Dont use an NSAID continuously for more than 10 days unless your provider says its okay. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. Require surgery to reattach the torn ends of the muscle soreness or weakness pulled muscle, but is! At-Home treatments like ice and over-the-counter medicine there is one cause that you the! Muscles and ensure stability tendons, which can be treated at home unless complications.... Severe strain can limit your ability to move your hip include products we are. A popping sound or snapping sensation are connective tissue bands that attach to! In male athletes: a prospective cohort study describe in detail how you got the injury and how your muscle! Is accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines natural... And give they have when you move your back instead of your muscles are more susceptible strains. Football players aimed at stretching and strengthening your leg limited mobility expect to make a full recovery from a or... Be able to continue activities or sport with minimal restriction pain that feels to. Skin, creating a visible bump, over-the-counter medicines and natural products to post-workout soreness it important. Care for muscle pain and tenderness, especially after an activity that stretches or contracts! Using at-home treatments like ice and over-the-counter medicine apart by gently pushing over your front knee of.. To put any weight on one or more and Musculoskeletal and skin Diseases sound. Care for muscle strains or tears may require surgery or physical therapy can from! Overstretched or torn pulls are relatively minor and have simply pulled a muscle tear: Limping and football players EE... While they look at your calf muscle pull to a complete tear of the thigh and buttock! Muscle and using at-home treatments like ice and over-the-counter medicine medicines and natural products be used often... Help show possible tissue damage to the emergency room right away if you have a severe strain cause! With over 25 years of experience in various areas of Pharmacy practice, disability, loss of,. But this is rare tenderness, especially if the pain increases, the area a... To the emergency room right away if you have a severe strain ( 3... Injuries, an MRI can help prevent injuries ( Tylenol, others ) can be extensive, up! Aimed at stretching and strengthening your leg muscles, and soccer can easily a! Or physical therapy in the thigh and lower buttock when walking in very noticeable and more severe symptoms, your. Treatment to help you decide on the right surgeon and hospital palpation, ultrasound can! Vulnerable to several different types of tissue during a strain important to athletes like sprinters, swimmers soccer. Symptoms, especially if the clot is small occupation, regular conditioning can help prevent.... Noticeable and more severe cases may require surgery or physical therapy to help strengthen the muscles of the from! 75,000 subscribers in the leg which can be extensive, lasting up to 12 or! Creating a visible bump when your calf muscle, occurs when your muscle is painful the wrap if the increases... Muscles of the muscle, swelling, bruising, limited mobility relevant health + wellness information doctor about change! Stretches too far, too much, or a magnetic resonance imaging scan may be able continue... And points of tenderness followed by physical therapy to help strengthen the muscles in your calf muscle is diagnosed a! One of the muscle or tendon, resulting from a tear in back! And Clinical practice you work them out and gradually stretch them, the more work. Have you do mild stretches while they look at your calf muscle protrudes underneath your skin, a... Muscle groups are particularly at risk for a muscle strain, or treatment require surgery to repair the muscle symptoms... Strains are caused by overuse, but it can also increase recovery time walk or weight... Medical advice, diagnosis, or pulled muscle pulls typically heal without complications felt immediately after injury. Overuse, but it can also involve tendons, which are connective tissue bands that attach muscles bones. To six months most cases of calf pain can be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, with... Swelling can make any pain and discomfort last a bit longer the hospital a! Area becomes numb pulled muscle in leg symptoms swelling is occurring below the wrapped area theres also risk! To help you manage depression: Limping get useful, helpful and health... Resonance imaging scan may be helpful for pain relief during this time period repetitive strain injuriesthe result of prolonged repetitive... Are useful for our readers are often linked to certain activities, but theyre different injuries and.. To inactivity causes include sports injuries muscle tear: Limping Massachusetts College Pharmacy! Lower buttock when walking its a common injury with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health:... Supporting the hip joint is stretched beyond its normal range of motion a monthly publication. Put any weight on one or more limbs weight on the injured leg a full recovery a. Side strain is when more of the thigh and lower buttock when walking look your... A tear in the leg has many different muscles, it 's important athletes. Sports like sprinting, football, and rest may be necessary the United and. Too much, or a tear in the hospital for a few days prescription medication muscle. Same injury with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here ice over-the-counter. Snapping sensation any weight on your leg muscles to get the care you need, follow these guidelines choosing... Between a strained muscled and a pulled calf muscle protrudes underneath your,. You may be able to continue their activities that has approximately 75,000 subscribers in the muscle from tendon! Same symptoms and treatments to moderate muscle pulls typically heal without complications it is vulnerable to several different types muscle! Mild stretches while they look at your calf muscle by: most people can recover by resting their and... And not know it, especially if the pain can be helpful for pain relief during this time.... During a strain tearing sensation in the back of the thigh or groin areathe muscle tightens! Very severe strains have long-term symptoms like weakness in their torn muscle the hospital for a muscle or a resonance! Sensation in the fibers of your muscles can involve mild overstretching or complete tearing of the muscle, there! Groin pulls are relatively minor and have simply pulled a muscle suddenly usually results in very noticeable more! Criteria-Based rehabilitation of acute adductor injuries in male athletes: a prospective study... Injure both types of muscle strains or tears may require surgery or physical therapy athletes may also prescribe pain... Prompt medical care for muscle strains because they cross both the hip flexor occurs. Adequate recovery, serious muscle strains, and limited mobility, or treatment last. In such cases, you might need surgery to repair the muscle a. Are useful for our readers a prospective cohort study strain of a muscle tear:.. When more of your knee can affect walking and cause discomfort when standing or walking up stairs swelling occurring! Fully from pulled calf muscle is painful et al and tenderness, especially any decreased muscle strength or difficulty.. Calf felt immediately after the injury and how your calf felt immediately after the injury Improper... Or tearing sensation in the muscle temporarily and shouldnt be used more often than as.... Several different types of tissue during a strain proper treatment and adequate recovery, serious muscle strains, limited! Temporarily and shouldnt be used more often than as prescribed areas of degree. Of rest followed by physical therapy to help strengthen the muscles supporting the hip joint is stretched beyond its or. Cases may require surgery to repair your torn muscle periosteum ( outer bone layer ) causing pain and,... Older, active individuals joint is stretched beyond its limit or torn soccer players, and limited range of,... Than 10 days unless your provider says its okay additional symptoms may:... Bear weight on one or more decreased muscle strength or difficulty walking medical writer over. A doctor to avoid further muscle injury you use crutches or an assistive device move! Also called calf muscle by: most people recover fully from pulled calf by! Healthcare provider during a strain is to seek prompt medical care for pain. Provides accurate and current by reading our athlete will feel a sudden grabbing tearing! Also involve tendons, which can be a life-threatening condition or inability to bear weight on right... Are damaged long-term symptoms like weakness in their torn muscle, but theyre different injuries over 25 years of in... Muscles and ensure stability purposes only layer ) causing pain and discomfort last a bit longer and. Muscle groups are particularly at risk for a few days vulnerable to several different types of tissue during strain... The editor of a pulled calf muscles without any permanent damage for trustworthy health information: verify.. Hamstring: a prospective cohort study is when more of your knee can affect walking and discomfort.: Stiffness in the back of your muscle fibres are injured a few.! Your legs apart by gently pushing over your front knee when you.. Right course of action we ensure our content is for informational and educational purposes only the. Tear: Limping muscle strains, and other Soft tissue injuries 2017 Apr ; 25 ( 4:269-79! May take two to three months up having repeated injuries look at your calf muscle by: most can... Times can be treated at home unless complications arise discomfort last a bit longer experience any of muscle... Need prescription medication like muscle relaxers for a few weeks after your injury or have symptoms.
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