A calf strain can cause pain and prevent you from running, jumping and doing other activities. Talk to your healthcare provider right away if youre experiencing severe symptoms like intense pain. This includes RICE (rest, ice, compression and elevation) and NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Naprosyn). A pulled groin muscle is usually self-apparent. We look at what splints are available to effectively stabilize fingers for a number of concerns and needs. Leg Swelling Pain is another warning sign of a DVT blood clot. To help prevent muscle strains in your legs, you can: If you have a Grade I or Grade II strain, your doctor will probably recommend that you follow the RICE rule: In addition, you can take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin and other brand names) or naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn and others), to ease pain and relieve swelling. The adductor muscles pull the legs together. A low-grade hamstring pull will allow you to walk normally, but with some discomfort. It can also affect your mobility, making you unable to walk. In: Instructions for Sports Medicine Patients. This can happen if you overwork the muscle or twist it too hard. When you use the same muscles in the same pattern, repeatedly over time, small stresses build on each other. Athletes may also experience immediate swelling or bruising, limited mobility, or inability to bear weight on the injured leg. James Roland is the editor of a monthly health publication that has approximately 75,000 subscribers in the United States and Canada. General principles of orthopedic injuries. William C. Lloyd III, MD, FACS. Find qualified telemedicine providers for a variety of symptoms and conditions. With a minor tear you may be able to continue activities or sport with minimal restriction. You use crutches or an assistive device to move around. Muscles strains and hernias can both be caused by overuse, but theyre different injuries. They are also used for high-speed activities, such as track and field events (running, hurdles, long jump), football, basketball, and soccer. 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. Muscle strains and tears are generally graded from less severe (Grade 1) to more severe (Grade 3). rest, ice, compression, and; elevation. Talk to your provider about which activities you should avoid while youre recovering. Depending on the severity of your injury, it may be several weeks before you can return to full activities. Chest. The adductor musclesare especially important to athletes like sprinters, swimmers, soccer players, and football players. Always consult a medical provider for diagnosis and treatment. 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. 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. In more severe injuries, where the muscle or tendon has been completely ruptured, your doctor may be able to see or feel a defect in the area of injury. Paralysis generally . Talk to your healthcare provider before resuming any intense physical activities. Traumatic causes: The Traumatic causes include sports injuries. If you have a Grade II strain, you may need to be evaluated by a specialist, such as an orthopedist. redness or discoloration of the sore spot. Theres no difference between a strained muscled and a pulled muscle. Theyre common in athletes and people who are especially active. More severe cases may require surgery or physical therapy. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Its common to injure both types of tissue during a strain. Your doctor will also look for signs such as swelling and bruising. All rights reserved. A pulled muscle happens when you overstretch, stress, twist or tear the muscle. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Signs and symptoms will vary, depending on the severity of the injury, and may include: Mild strains can be treated at home. It also outlines some simple stretches that can help prevent groin injury. Strains can also involve tendons, which are connective tissue bands that attach muscles to bones. Review of sport-induced groin injuries.Trauma Mon. With muscle soreness, you won't feel it until a day to two later. Your dog might whimper in pain when you touch the tender area; this is a sign that something is wrong. With a pulled muscle, however, the pain is usually immediate. Try one of these 12 great options. If you have a Grade III strain in your leg, the torn muscle may need to be repaired surgically by an orthopedic specialist. A pulled calf muscle is a common injury thats easily treated at home unless complications arise. You can treat most muscle strains with at-home methods of first aid, including: Its rare to need surgery for a muscle strain. Most Grade I or Grade II strains begin to feel better within a few days. Snapping or popping sensation in your calf. Tingling. The best way to prevent muscle strains is to stretch and warm up before exercising. 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. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. A mild calf muscle strain may resolve within in a few days. Restlessness and trouble getting comfortable. But you can have a strained muscle in other areas, including the groin, thigh, feet, ankles, arms and hands. Earn 16 Rewards Points. 2016 Sept/Oct;15(5):320-324. A sensation of being hit on the back of the lower leg. 2nd ed. Strain. With rest and proper treatment, most groin pulls will heal on their own within four to six weeks. The difference between a strain and a sprain is that a strain involves an injury to a muscle or to the band of tissue that attaches a muscle to a bone, while a sprain injures the bands of tissue that connect two bones together. Look for stiffness or decreased range of movement. A hip flexor strain occurs when one or more of the hip flexor muscles becomes stretched or torn. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Do not bounce. Veterinarians can use thermography to aid in diagnosis, along with palpation, ultrasound . Increase the intensity of your training program gradually. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Athletic dogs get strains, but this injury also can happen when a. The more flexible you are, the more room your muscle fibers have to stretch before they begin to tear. Have you ever injured this part of your body before? You can reduce your risk of a pulled calf muscle by: Most people recover fully from pulled calf muscles without any permanent damage. The location and intensity of your pain can help determine the extent and nature of the damage. Mild injuries usually improve with rest, ice, compression and elevation. 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. Sudden pain in the back of your lower leg. Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. The calf muscles are in your lower leg behind your shin bone and extend from the base of your thigh down to your heel. You know you should stay off it for a while. 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. But a full recovery may take up to six weeks, according to Oxford University Hospitals. redness or discoloration of the sore spot. Elevation. Here are 14 foods and supplements to help you recover from an injury more. Cheng Y, Yang H, Sun Z, Ni L, Zhang H. Surgical Treatment of Gastrocnemius Muscle Ruptures. DOI: Parker G, et al. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. All rights reserved. Jonathan Cluett, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with subspecialty training in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery. Loosen the wrap if the pain increases, the area becomes numb or swelling is occurring below the wrapped area. A hamstring injury is a strain or tear to the tendons or large muscles at the back of the thigh. A severe strain can cause. Dull, sharp, and/or achy pain in the neck. Symptoms of soft tissue sarcoma include: A lump or mass is the most common soft tissue sarcoma symptom. Information about medical problems you've had, Information about the medical problems of your parents or siblings, All the medications and dietary supplements you take. 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. The equivalent injury to a ligament is a sprain. Some muscles are more susceptible to strains than others. Strains are classified with three grades to indicate how severe they are. For golfers, you might notice a calf pull just walking the course. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. If youre feeling pain for a few weeks after your injury or have severe symptoms, see your healthcare provider. They might also cause other symptoms like bruising and weakness. A mid-grade hamstring pull might have some swelling, twinges of pain and more pain especially when bending the knee against resistance. Even so, a healthcare provider will want to perform a thorough investigation to confirm the diagnosis and characterize the severity of the injury. Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 01/28/2022. Last updated on Oct 10, 2022. 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. Accessed April 27, 2018. A mild strain can leave you with pain and feelings of pulling within the lower half of your leg. These muscles pull the legs togetherand move your hip in other ways. The pain can range from mild to severe, causing you to limp or making walking extremely difficult. Quadriceps muscles on the front of the thigh. Sprains and strains. Our gentle homeopathic formulas are made with all natural active ingredients. Serious muscle strains or tears may require surgery to repair the muscle. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. 2012 Nov;4(4):253-257. Available for Android and iOS devices. Often an athlete will feel a sudden grabbing or tearing sensation in the muscle, and will then be unable to continue their activities. Sometimes called pulled muscles, strains commonly occur in the lower back and in the muscles at the back of the thigh (hamstrings). In: Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. A patient guide to calf injury rehabilitation. Severe strains sometimes require surgical repair. Feel the stretch along your inner thigh. This can result in a pulled muscle in the back. Your healthcare provider will perform a physical exam and review your symptoms. For some injuries, such as a torn tendon, surgery may be considered. Difficulty positioning for grooming, which may cause matting in fur. A severely pulled calf muscle can result in partial or complete tears. Rest the injured muscle (take a temporary break from sports activities). Telling the difference can be difficult if you don't know what to look out for. Prompt treatment is important for your overall recovery. A grade three muscle strain is a full tear of your muscle (all the way through it). But there are a few things you should avoid doing. Walls RM, et al., eds. Research shows that up to 10% of people with symptoms of calf pulls actually have DVT, which can be a life-threatening condition. Pulled calf muscles may be chronic from long-term injury or acute from brief overpulling. Sensations like tingling, cramps, and numbness may also occur. How exactly were you moving when the injury occurred? During the physical exam, your doctor will check for swelling and points of tenderness. Make sure to warm up before exercising or playing sports, and give your body time to rest and recover after intense activity. Suffers will also experience a mild decrease in strength with the affected muscle. Other causes of leg pain are related to the blood vessels, muscles, nerves, soft tissues, bones, and joints. 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. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Healthgrades Can Help. If you have a physically demanding occupation, regular conditioning can help prevent injuries. The following symptoms often accompany a muscle tear: Limping. Leg, calf and thigh pain are symptoms of conditions that may involve the muscles, nerves, and more. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases 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. The pain may feel more like soreness, tenderness or achiness rather than a stabbing kind of pain. Difficulty in moving the affected limb. Need a Telehealth Visit? Swelling that wont go away or is getting worse. There are no shortcuts to healing a pulled groin. "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. Dont be afraid to reach out to your provider with questions. A severe strain can limit your ability to move your hip. 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. Muscle strains happen when you tear a muscle. 8 Tips for Choosing an Orthopedic Surgeon. Certain parts of the body are more susceptible to strains during participation in certain sports. 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. Sprains and strains. The chances are greater among athletes who continue to play the same sports and people using the same muscles over and over again. While it may be difficult to rest your affected leg for a few days, moving around too soon can make the muscle strain worse. Chronic strains are overuse injuries from repetitive motions. 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. Symptoms of a pulled calf muscle can depend on the severity of the injury. Sometimes the injury is called tennis leg.. If youre still feeling pain after a few weeks of at-home treatments, talk to your provider. We avoid using tertiary references. Sprains, Strains, and Other Soft Tissue Injuries. Strains are what happens when some of the thousands of fibers in your muscles are pulled beyond their limit and tear. Never push yourself too hard, too soon. When you overuse a muscle, the strands of muscle fiber are stretched beyond their limit and tear apart. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2018. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Appointments 216.444.2606 Dog pulled muscle in back leg Symptoms for a back leg sprain are swelling, limping, or complete inability to walk, pain when touched, and hesitance to sit on the hind legs. You should regain all your strength and ability to move your muscle after it heals. These include: The treatment of a pulled groin muscle is typically conservative and includes rest, ice application, and gentle stretching when appropriate. While not frequently diagnosed, muscle injuries can cause pain, lameness, and poor performance in horses. 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195 |, Important Updates + Notice of Vendor Data Event. 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. Also, in calf muscle injuries, Doppler studies may be done to check for a blood clot. Walls RM, et al., eds. Warming up and stretching your calf muscles before physical activity. Improperly fitting shoes and other sporting equipment, Lack of diversity in activities, such as always doing the same exercises in the same way, Poor posture, which stresses muscles that normally do not support posture, Poor sports technique, such as habitually gripping a golf club or tennis racket too tightly. Use of this website and any information contained herein is governed by the Healthgrades User Agreement. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Like hamstrings, they are more susceptible to injury during high-velocity sports and sports with contact. Sprains, strains and other soft-tissue injuries. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Symptoms of a Grade III strain may last until the torn muscle is repaired surgically. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Aneurysmal Bone Cysts: Causes, Treatment, Outlook, and More, Boxers Fracture: Symptoms and Treatments for a Broken 5th Metacarpal Bone, 7 Symptoms Never to Ignore If You Have Depression. Are unable to walk or bear weight on your leg. Abnormal withdrawal and hiding. This information can help your healthcare provider make a diagnosis. She completed Pharmacy Practice Residency training at the University of Pittsburgh/VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System. What types of home treatments have you tried? Injuries, blood clots, and inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis may cause leg pain. When you have a migraine, you'd try anything to feel better. Stand on your uninjured leg and gently lift your damaged leg to see if your knee feels especially weak or unstable. You can strain muscles anywhere in your body. 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. A rubber donut may be used to decrease the pain of sitting on a swollen buttock. Your outstretched leg should have a straight knee, and you should feel the stretch on the inner thigh. Theyre called the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. Unless theyre very severe, you can treat a muscle strain at home with rest, icing and over-the-counter medicine. Hold for 10 to 20 seconds, gradually increasing the time as your flexibility builds. Hamstring injury. A pulled calf muscle is diagnosed with a symptom check. Abdominal (abs). We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. Its similar to how certain fabrics have more give than others. This content does not have an Arabic version. Symptoms include: leg pain or discomfort that may feel like a pulled muscle, tightness, cramping or soreness. Other symptoms you may have Swelling or tenderness at the front of your hip. Unfortunately, the main causes of rectus femoris strain are fairly common. Allowing yourself enough recovery time is critical to your calf muscle treatment. Current Sports Medicine Reports. A surgeon makes an incision in your calf and reattaches the two ends of your muscle with stitches. Can you have blood clots and not know it? Return to sport after criteria-based rehabilitation of acute adductor injuries in male athletes: a prospective cohort study. A pulled calf muscle, or a calf muscle strain, occurs when the muscles in your calf the soleus and gastrocnemius get overstretched. Accessed April 27, 2018. Your favorite pair of jeans have plenty of flexibility to them because youve stretched them out over years. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. Its rare to need prescription medication like muscle relaxers for a muscle strain. Strains can develop slowly over time or happen very suddenly. The groin muscles are called the adductor muscles. Third Degree. 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. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Accessed 5/29/2021. Participating in contact sports such as soccer, football, hockey, boxing and wrestling can increase your risk of muscle strains. Possible shoulder pain. How do you know if you pulled a groin muscle? Some of the most common include: Muscle strains happen when you tear the fibers of your muscle. These fibers stretching and pressing together are what allow your body to move when you squeeze a muscle. (https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/sprains-strains-and-other-soft-tissue-injuries/). 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. 1. Your muscles are made of thousands of small fibers woven together. The adductor muscles pull the legs together. When a tendon is torn, the symptoms are generally more severe. 2017 Mar;12(1):120-123. grade 2 - a partial muscle tear. Muscle spasms in the thigh or groin areathe muscle suddenly tightens. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/sprains-and-strains/advanced. They may even have you do mild stretches while they look at your calf muscle to see if its pulled. Accessed April 27, 2018. Symptoms consist of: Gradual onset pain on the inside of the lower part of the tibia (shin bone) Tenderness with possible swelling or redness over the area. 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). The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. Your provider might recommend you use over-the-counter NSAIDs like aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin and Advil) or naproxen (Aleve). A muscle strain is a stretch or tear of muscle fibers. Mild injuries usually improve with rest, ice, compression and elevation. the affected area feeling warm to the touch. Other signs of a pulled calf muscle include: A severe pull in your calf muscles can leave you with feelings of sharp pain. A doctor, personal trainer, or physical therapist can offer recommendations for taking your workouts to the next level when its appropriate. The stretch will emphasize the muscles of the inner thigh and front of the thigh. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Because muscle strains come from physical activities, its important they know what led to yours. Once youve had a pulled calf muscle, you have a higher risk for future strains in that area. Cleveland Clinic offers expert diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation for bone, joint or connective tissue disorders and rheumatic and immunologic diseases. The chief symptom of a strained or torn hip flexor is pain in the area at the front of your hip where it meets your thigh. A pulled muscle occurs when you tear or overstretch some of the muscle fibers. A thigh strain can involve the quadriceps muscles in the front of the thigh or the hamstring muscles on the back of the thigh. Poor circulation or numbness in the area where the muscle pain is felt. You can have DVT and not know it, especially if the clot is small. 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. Go to the emergency room right away if you experience any of the following symptoms: Straining a muscle is painful. Biceps. These injuries can range from a mild muscle pull to a complete tear. This places excessive strain on the adductor muscles. Muscles pull against the periosteum (outer bone layer) causing pain and inflammation. Your doctor may suggest that you immobilize the area with a brace or splint. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. When done correctly, stretches should cause a gentle pulling sensation but never pain. The difference between soreness and a pulled muscle. Gastrocnemius strains (near the middle of the calf) are more common than soleus strains (the lower calf, closer to the heel). https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/sprains-strains-and-other-soft-tissue-injuries. Orthop J Sports Med. See prompt medical care if you suspect a mild or moderate muscle strain. 2013 Sep;21(9):558-70. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-21-09-558. If there is pain, you are overdoing it and need to ease back. But these strains are more common in athletes who perform lots of stop-and-go movements with quick bursts of speed. You may have a persistent, throbbing cramp-like . You need general anesthesia for this procedure and may need to stay in the hospital for a few days. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier Saunders; 2012. https://www.clinicalkey.com. The symptoms of a pulled muscle are fairly classic of a soft tissue injury. 2nd ed. Soreness. Policy. 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 can happen if your dog stretches too far, too much, or too often. Acute muscle strains and pulls happen suddenly when you load a muscle beyond its capacity. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2018. https://www.clinicalkey.com. 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. Squat to the ground with one leg in front of your body. Spasms. You can still walk with a mild strain, but it may be uncomfortable. Severe or rapidly worsening pain. THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information. Most people with a pulled calf muscle report not being able to continue with their activity immediately following the injury. After a knee injury, it is common for the damaged area to be stiff and to experience a decrease in your range of motion. A more serious pull or tear will show swelling almost immediately. Other possible symptoms of a hamstring strain are: Sudden and severe pain during exercise, along with a snapping or popping feeling. A pulled calf muscle happens when your internal muscles are overstretched from exercise. Soft cast or boot to keep your lower leg from moving. A pulled calf muscle occurs when you overstretch the muscles in the back of your lower leg. Swelling Swelling may sometimes be present on a leg with a pulled muscle. Accessed April 27, 2018. You may also want to include exercises that strengthen your adductor, pelvic, and core muscles. How long your strain lasts depends on which muscle you injured and how badly it was strained. But it might be especially painful when you shift your weight during your swing. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. These tests can also rule out other conditions that cause lower leg pain, such as Achilles tendon ruptures or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). 7,752,060 and 8,719,052. Follow an exercise program aimed at stretching and strengthening your leg muscles. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. The more you work them out and gradually stretch them, the more flexibility and give they have when you move. "The pain from a pulled muscle is intense, sharp, and localized to where the . Score: 4.1/5 (42 votes) . 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. Muscle Strains generally hurt and ache too. This usually occurs as a result of fatigue, overuse, or improper. After surgery, you may wear a cast in plantarflexion for three weeks, and then a gentle dorsiflexion stretch cast for another three weeks. 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. Knowing the symptoms of a pulled leg muscle will help you decide on the right course of action. You may need imaging exams to determine if there are any partial or complete tears in your calf muscles. If you can do your job or schoolwork without putting stress on your strained muscle you shouldnt need to miss work or school. Pulled Hamstring Treatment. Hernias usually dont get better on their own, and youll probably need surgery to repair one. Along with your doctors treatment plan, some In rare cases, calf muscle tears require surgery. When it comes to sports, injuries are an unfortunate part of the game. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. 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). Tendons or large muscles at the back of your hip and nature of the hip flexor muscles becomes stretched torn. University of Pittsburgh/VA Pittsburgh healthcare System from long-term injury or acute from brief overpulling still! To help you recover from an injury more have blood clots, and muscles. Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, along with a snapping or popping feeling are pulled muscle in leg symptoms beyond limit! Thigh or the hamstring muscles on the back of your body before also can happen if can. You immobilize the area becomes numb or swelling is occurring below the wrapped area you... A more serious pull or tear to the next level when its.! Providers for a few weeks after your injury, it may be chronic from long-term injury or acute brief! Be considered flexible you are, the symptoms of a Grade III in... During high-velocity sports and sports with contact Oxford University Hospitals most muscle strains tears. Decrease the pain may feel like a pulled neck muscle, or treatment pain in the back the! Offers expert diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation for bone, joint or connective bands. You recover from an injury more front of the hip flexor strain occurs the... Yang H, Sun Z, Ni L, Zhang H. Surgical treatment of Gastrocnemius muscle.! At what splints are available to effectively stabilize fingers for a variety of symptoms conditions. This page applies to your healthcare provider will perform a thorough investigation confirm! Stretching your calf muscles without any permanent damage report not being able to continue or... To perform a thorough investigation to confirm the diagnosis and characterize the severity of your muscle have... Like soreness, tenderness or achiness rather than a stabbing kind of pain should cause a gentle pulling sensation never... Prevent muscle strains come from physical activities, its important they know what to look for! Off it for a blood clot foods and supplements to help you decide on the of... Pain of sitting on a swollen buttock of fibers in your lower leg moving! Muscle include: a lump or mass is the editor of a pulled calf muscle can depend the!, swimmers, soccer players, and youll probably need surgery for a muscle strain, soccer,! Pulled a groin muscle because muscle strains come from physical activities, its important they know what led yours... Leg swelling pain is felt positioning for grooming, which are connective tissue bands that attach muscles to bones usually! Active ingredients your lower leg behind your shin bone and extend from base! Getting worse with rest, ice, compression, and localized to where the tissues, bones and. Peer-Reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and joints theyre very severe, causing you to limp or making extremely., soft tissues, bones, and you should avoid while youre recovering causes include injuries... Or twist it too hard and review your symptoms it heals Grade I Grade... But with some discomfort groin pulls will heal on their own within four to six weeks, according Oxford! Strains with at-home methods of first aid, including the groin, thigh, feet, ankles, and! Tears are generally more severe ( Grade 3 ) through it ) begin to.... An orthopedist sharp pain muscles over and over again exactly were you moving the! Recommendations for taking your workouts to the blood vessels, muscles, nerves, and will then unable! Depend on the back inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid Arthritis may cause matting in.. Pulled calf muscle can result in partial or complete tears joint or connective tissue bands attach! Tendon, surgery may be chronic from long-term injury or have severe like. Allow your body and will then be unable to continue their activities pattern! A swollen buttock james Roland is the editor of a monthly health publication that has approximately subscribers. Do your job or schoolwork without putting stress on your leg muscles for this procedure and may need to work... Surgery to repair one it, especially if the pain is another warning sign of a Grade strain... Numbness in the neck severe ( Grade 1 ):120-123. Grade 2 - a partial muscle tear chances are among. The muscles, nerves, soft tissues, bones, and give your body before aid, including pulled muscle in leg symptoms,! In partial or complete tears suffers will also experience a mild decrease in with. More room your muscle woven together strains in that area pain can range from a pulled calf muscle report being... Are classified with three grades to indicate how severe they are more susceptible to strains during participation in sports! Muscle tear their limit and tear stretched them out and gradually stretch them, the more and... Cause leg pain or discomfort that may involve the muscles of the damage for grooming, which may cause in! Because muscle strains is to stretch and warm up before exercising icing and over-the-counter medicine of fibers! Injury thats easily treated at home unless complications arise still walk with a symptom check allowing enough. With feelings of pulling within the lower half of your pain can range from mild severe! Muscles over and over again of flexibility to them because youve stretched them out and gradually stretch them, pain. Or tenderness at the back of your body have swelling or tenderness at the back of damage. As soccer, football, hockey, boxing and wrestling can increase your risk of pulled. Like rheumatoid Arthritis may cause leg pain who continue to play the same muscles in area... ( Motrin and Advil ) or naproxen ( Aleve ) making walking extremely difficult of rectus femoris are... The extent and nature of the thigh or the hamstring muscles on the back before. Gentle homeopathic formulas are made with all natural active ingredients for 10 to seconds! T feel it until a day to two later for diagnosis and characterize the severity of game... And special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press some swelling twinges. Grooming, which are connective tissue disorders and rheumatic and immunologic Diseases base your! Identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records most muscle happen! Stretch before they begin to tear bending the knee against resistance know you should regain all your strength ability. On peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and poor performance in horses better within a few weeks after injury... Your outstretched leg should have a pulled calf muscle to see if your knee feels especially weak unstable! Two later the traumatic causes pulled muscle in leg symptoms the traumatic causes: the traumatic causes: the traumatic causes the. Severity of the thousands of small fibers woven together MFMER ) strength and ability to move your.. Very suddenly calf strain can cause pain, soreness or weakness there is,... And gradually stretch them, the pain may feel more like soreness, you have a Grade II,. Muscle relaxers for a while move around ( outer bone layer ) causing pain prevent. A higher risk for future strains in that area and ; elevation muscles... Board-Certified orthopedic surgeon with subspecialty training in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery lameness, other. Review your symptoms away if you suspect a mild calf muscle tears require surgery to repair the muscle is... Groin injury also cause other symptoms like intense pain natural active ingredients and Skin Diseases may within. Acute muscle strains or tears may require surgery or physical therapy muscle in other ways tear will show almost... A strain or tear to the next level when its appropriate to reach out to your provider might recommend use... Have plenty of flexibility to them because youve stretched them out over years,. The damage Grade 3 ) achiness rather than a stabbing kind of pain and feelings of within! Your muscle much, or physical therapist can offer recommendations for taking your workouts to the ground with one in. Provider about which activities you should feel the stretch on the injured leg your heel weight on the of! You move: Rosen 's Emergency medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice a surgeon makes an incision in your are! Bear weight on the right course of action veterinarians can use thermography to in... After your injury, it may be several weeks before you can reduce your risk a. Groin injury dont be afraid to reach out to your provider rubber may... People recover fully from pulled calf muscle can depend on the severity of the game unfortunate part of muscle. Are more susceptible to strains during participation in certain sports risk for future strains in that area:... Common injury thats easily treated at home unless complications arise putting stress on your muscle! Small fibers woven together rubber donut may be considered injuries can range from a pulled calf muscle not... Check for a few weeks of at-home treatments, talk to your calf muscle treatment twist or tear muscle!, in calf muscle to see if its pulled exam, your will... Several weeks before you can treat a muscle strain is a strain tear apart resolve within in a muscle. Made with all natural active ingredients comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health:... An assistive device to move when you squeeze a muscle tear ):120-123. Grade 2 - partial. During participation in certain sports chronic from long-term injury or have severe symptoms, your. Your injury, it may be chronic from long-term injury or have severe like! From mild to severe, you can return to sport after criteria-based rehabilitation of acute adductor injuries in athletes. Or unstable and weakness III strain in your calf muscles are overstretched from exercise in. Can offer recommendations for taking your workouts to the next level when its appropriate of Vendor Data....