It may also cause a decrease in range of motion or difficulty moving the leg or hip. Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information. 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. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Walls RM, et al., eds. Quick pivots, jumps or abrupt stops can cause strains. The more flexible you are, the more room your muscle fibers have to stretch before they begin to tear. Veterinarians can use thermography to aid in diagnosis, along with palpation, ultrasound . For some injuries, such as a torn tendon, surgery may be considered. 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. 2017 Apr;25(4):269-79, doi:10.5435/JAAOS-D-16-00171, Suarez JC, Ely EE, Mutnal AB, et al. The same may occur with people who play basketball, football, or rugby. Severe groin strains can take up to 12 weeks or longer if surgery is involved. The location and intensity of your pain can help determine the extent and nature of the damage. Its common to injure both types of tissue during a strain. Chronic strains tend to have vague symptoms that are easy to overlook at first. Biceps. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. Snapping or popping sensation in your calf. The causes of the leg pain are musculoskeletal, neurological & vascular. Examples of causes include: Improper body mechanics, such as lifting with your back instead of your legs. Examples of causes include: Several factors increase the risk of pulling a muscle, including: Muscle imbalance, which causes one group of muscles to overcompensate for another group. Most people can recover by resting their muscle and using at-home treatments like ice and over-the-counter medicine. The amount of pain and other symptoms will depend on the severity of the strain. You should regain all your strength and ability to move your muscle after it heals. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier Saunders; 2012. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Squat to the ground with one leg in front of your body. swelling in the affected leg. 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. 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. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases They can be caused by fatigue or overuse. Comprehensive approach to the evaluation of groin pain. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Alessandrino F, et al. They are repetitive strain injuriesthe result of prolonged, repetitive overuse of the muscle or muscle group. The calf muscles are in your lower leg behind your shin bone and extend from the base of your thigh down to your heel. Muscle strains are very common. Chronic muscle strains can result from repetitive injuries when you stress a muscle by doing the same motion over and over. 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. A hip flexor strain occurs when one or more of the hip flexor muscles becomes stretched or torn. (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 gentle homeopathic formulas are made with all natural active ingredients. This content does not have an English version. Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 06/03/2021. Reduce your risk of reinjury by allowing your injury to fully heal before getting back to normal activities. A hamstring injury is a strain or tear to the tendons or large muscles at the back of the thigh. 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). Local muscle swelling, black and blue discoloration or both, Either a decrease in muscle strength or (in a Grade III strain) a complete loss of muscle function, A pop in the muscle at the time of injury, A gap, dent or other defect in the normal outline of the muscle (Grade III strain). Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) can be helpful for pain relief during this time period. If you have a physically demanding occupation, regular conditioning can help prevent injuries. What are the Symptoms of a Calf Strain. This eventually causes wear and tear on the muscle leading to a strain. NSAIDs help reduce swelling and relieve pain and soreness. They may even have you do mild stretches while they look at your calf muscle to see if its pulled. If you are at risk of an acute or chronic muscle strain, talk with your doctor about ways to protect yourself. Theres no difference between a strained muscled and a pulled muscle. You will probably notice pain and swelling,. 2016 Sept/Oct;15(5):320-324. The symptoms of a pulled muscle range from mild to severe, depending on the extent of the injury. The pain can range from mild to severe, causing you to limp or making walking extremely difficult. Athletic hip injuries. Talk to your healthcare provider right away if youre experiencing severe symptoms like intense pain. Symptoms of a pulled calf muscle can depend on the severity of the injury. Regular stretching can help relieve calf pain and prevent these muscles from becoming tight. Depending on how severe your original muscle strain is, you should feel better in a few weeks. A patient guide to calf injury rehabilitation. It also outlines some simple stretches that can help prevent groin injury. These fibers stretching and pressing together are what allow your body to move when you squeeze a muscle. You will also be asked to bend or flex your muscles to help show the doctor where the pain is emanating from and what kind of resistance makes it hurt. The doctor will also feel the affected area, checking for swelling, tenderness and the pain centers. Muscle strains and tears are generally graded from less severe (Grade 1) to more severe (Grade 3). Back. All rights reserved. Possible shoulder pain. A surgeon makes an incision in your calf and reattaches the two ends of your muscle with stitches. Tennis leg: gastrocnemius injury is a far more common cause than plantaris rupture. The lump forms in the area in which the tumor is growing, and it may be accompanied by some pain if it's pressing on a nerve or muscle. Sometimes the injury is called tennis leg.. 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). DETAILS. But maybe even more than any physical symptoms, its frustrating to avoid your favorite activities or sports for a few weeks. 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. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 5 Feb 2023), Cerner Multum (updated 22 Feb 2023), ASHP (updated 12 Feb 2023) and others. A pulled calf muscle occurs when you overstretch the muscles in the back of your lower leg. Your muscles are made of thousands of small fibers woven together. We break down the different CBD sources and how to find the right gummies for you. You can strain muscles anywhere in your body. When to seek help Urgent advice: Other symptoms you may have Swelling or tenderness at the front of your hip. DOSAGE. 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. Leg cramps are sudden, involuntary muscle contractions that commonly affect the calves and hamstrings. In: Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. approach rest, ice, compression, elevation: Some doctors recommend avoiding over-the-counter pain medications that can increase your risk of bleeding such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) during the first 48 hours after a muscle strain. Without proper treatment and adequate recovery, serious muscle strains can cause permanent damage and limited range of motion. Symptoms include: Limping, sudden lameness, or stiffness Whining or being more vocal Refusing to eat Trouble standing up or sitting down Swelling around the affected muscle Ask your healthcare provider when you can gradually start to do light activities again. A sudden sharp pain in the lower leg. Accessed 5/29/2021. Review of sport-induced groin injuries.Trauma Mon. Some of the most common include: Hamstring. A calf strain isnt a sprain. But there are a few things you should avoid doing. A hip strain commonly involves the hip flexor muscles located in the front of the leg, above the . The equivalent injury to a ligament is a sprain. Symptoms that always occur with repetitive strain injury of the quadriceps: thigh pain from overuse Symptoms that never occur with repetitive strain injury of the quadriceps: upper leg injury, severe upper leg pain Urgency: Self-treatment Repetitive strain injury of the hamstring Hernias usually dont get better on their own, and youll probably need surgery to repair one. In such cases, you would need surgery to reattach the torn ends of the muscle. Unwillingness to be petted or picked up. Difficulty in moving the affected limb. Muscle spasms in the thigh or groin areathe muscle suddenly tightens. Hamstrings are long muscles that extend down the back of the thigh. You may need imaging exams to determine if there are any partial or complete tears in your calf muscles. 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. 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. But you can have a strained muscle in other areas, including the groin, thigh, feet, ankles, arms and hands. Gastrocnemius strains (near the middle of the calf) are more common than soleus strains (the lower calf, closer to the heel). Strains are injuries to muscles or tendons (tissues that attach muscles to bones). The symptoms of a pulled calf muscle vary depending on the severity of the injury. Make sure to warm up before exercising or playing sports, and give your body time to rest and recover after intense activity. Muscles and tendons work together to enable movement. A pulled calf muscle, or a calf muscle strain, occurs when the muscles in your calf the soleus and gastrocnemius get overstretched. Athletes may also experience immediate swelling or bruising, limited mobility, or inability to bear weight on the injured leg. When a strain occurs, muscle fibers are torn to some degree. 2012 Nov;4(4):253-257. Accessed 5/29/2021. After a knee injury, it is common for the damaged area to be stiff and to experience a decrease in your range of motion. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. Another study of soccer players identified gastrocnemius strains as making up 12% of all muscle injuries. Stand on your uninjured leg and gently lift your damaged leg to see if your knee feels especially weak or unstable. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Notice swelling in your lower leg, foot or ankle. Also, in calf muscle injuries, Doppler studies may be done to check for a blood clot. While not frequently diagnosed, muscle injuries can cause pain, lameness, and poor performance in horses. Some groin pulls can be severe and cause a muscle to completely rupture. Privacy Policy|Advertising Policy|Privacy Preferences Center|Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 01/28/2022. In most cases, symptoms are either totally gone, or very much improved, within 8 to 10 weeks. More severe cases may require surgery or physical therapy. A burning/stabbing sensation. Sprinters, football players, soccer players and tennis players are prone to pulled calf muscles. A torn calf muscle may require surgery. Acute muscle strains and pulls happen suddenly when you load a muscle beyond its capacity. This can happen if you overwork the muscle or twist it too hard. Depending on the severity of your injury, it may be several weeks before you can return to full activities. Copyright 2023 Healthgrades Marketplace, LLC, Patent US Nos. Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit organization. While not necessarily painful, this lump must be treated by a doctor to avoid further muscle injury. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2018. https://www.clinicalkey.com. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. Pulled calf muscles may be chronic from long-term injury or acute from brief overpulling. Sprains and strains. 10 Things to Know About Psoriatic Arthritis. While you shouldnt resume normal activities until your calf muscle heals, there are some stretches that can complement rest and other treatment measures. A pulled muscle is essentially a strain of a muscle or tendon, resulting from a tear in the muscle fibers. Symptoms and Grading. When it comes to sports, injuries are an unfortunate part of the game. Hamstring muscles on the back of the thigh. But it might be especially painful when you shift your weight during your swing. If you have a Grade III strain in your leg, the torn muscle may need to be repaired surgically by an orthopedic specialist. By Jonathan Cluett, MD Elevate the injured area above the level of your heart, especially at night, which allows gravity to help reduce swelling. Because hamstrings work to pull back the leg and bend the knee, they can be injured during running, kicking or jumping. This can happen if your dog stretches too far, too much, or too often. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Accessed April 27, 2018. Sprains and strains. If you can do your job or schoolwork without putting stress on your strained muscle you shouldnt need to miss work or school. Last medically reviewed on July 23, 2018. The adductor musclesare especially important to athletes like sprinters, swimmers, soccer players, and football players. A mild to moderate pulled muscle usually responds to home treatment. 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 muscle strain is an injury to a muscle or a tendon the fibrous tissue that connects muscles to bones. Tendon ruptures tend to occur with more severe injuries such as automobile accidents or contact sports than a minor strain that doesn't involve any tears. You can treat most muscle strains with at-home methods of first aid, including: Its rare to need surgery for a muscle strain. A pulled calf muscle happens when you overstretch the muscles in the back of your lower leg. If there is pain, you are overdoing it and need to ease back. Symptoms of pulled muscles in dogs Leg sprains and strains can be caused by simple, everyday activities, such as running, jumping, and playing roughly. A more serious pull or tear will show swelling almost immediately. 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. A thigh strain can involve the quadriceps muscles in the front of the thigh or the hamstring muscles on the back of the thigh. Harwin JR, Richardson ML. 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. Finding medical care as soon as possible offers the best chance of healing successfully without complications. 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. He earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. A torn calf muscle may require surgery. In rare cases, calf muscle tears require surgery. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have any of the following serious symptoms: Hearing a pop sound at the time of the injury, Inability to use the muscle (complete loss of muscle function). Its the same way in your muscles. Available for Android and iOS devices. Symptoms of a strained leg muscle can include: Your doctor will want to know what activity triggered your leg pain and whether there was a pop in the muscle when you injured it. Strains can develop slowly over time or happen very suddenly. After surgery, you may wear a cast in plantarflexion for three weeks, and then a gentle dorsiflexion stretch cast for another three weeks. Oluseun Olufade, MD, is a board-certified orthopedist. Try one of these 12 great options. Swelling that wont go away or is getting worse. These tests can also rule out other conditions that cause lower leg pain, such as Achilles tendon ruptures or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). 2017 Mar;12(1):120-123. A pulled groin muscle is usually self-apparent. A pulled muscle happens when you overstretch, stress, twist or tear the muscle. 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. The symptoms of a pulled muscle are fairly classic of a soft tissue injury. Stretching not only helps with recovery of your affected muscles, but it can also help your knee and ankle joints remain stabilized and mobile. The hamstring and quadriceps muscle groups are particularly at risk for muscle strains because they cross both the hip and knee joints. Most groin pulls are relatively minor and have simply pulled a muscle beyond its normal range of motion, causing incidental tears. Find a Qualified Telehealth Provider Now and Connect Live, 10 Tips for Protecting Joints With Psoriatic Arthritis, New Treatments Relieve Symptoms of Opioid Withdrawal. Mild injuries usually improve with rest, ice, compression and elevation. If you live with depression, it's important to tell your doctor about any change in symptoms. Athletic dogs get strains, but this injury also can happen when a. Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. Anyone can get a pulled calf muscle. A groin pull can be quite painful, interfering with your ability to walk, navigate stairs, or even drive a car. Have you ever injured this part of your body before? Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Pulled Hamstring: A Pain Real Pain in the Leg! After surgery to repair a Grade III strain, most people regain normal leg muscle function after several months of rehabilitation. Muscle pain and tenderness, especially after an activity that stretches or violently contracts the muscle. Most Grade I or Grade II strains begin to feel better within a few days. Check with your provider before resuming any intense activity. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. Youll likely need physical therapy as you recover to regain strength and mobility in your leg. Muscle Tweaks generally hurt and ache. A hip strain occurs when one of the muscles supporting the hip joint is stretched beyond its limit or torn. Always consult a medical provider for diagnosis and treatment. (https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/sprains-strains-and-other-soft-tissue-injuries/). On the other hand, you might have to wear a brand-new pair a few times before they feel comfortable. When you overuse a muscle, the strands of muscle fiber are stretched beyond their limit and tear apart. Your outstretched leg should have a straight knee, and you should feel the stretch on the inner thigh. Poor circulation or numbness in the area where the muscle pain is felt. There are no shortcuts to healing a pulled groin. 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. These tears have to be repaired with surgery. 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. Muscle strain injuries are graded by severity: 1. You know you should stay off it for a while. Abdominal (abs). Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW Ending the Opioid Crisis - Mayo Clinic Press, FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education. Other causes of leg pain are related to the blood vessels, muscles, nerves, soft tissues, bones, and joints. The outlook depends on the location and severity of the muscle strain. Loosen the wrap if the pain increases, the area becomes numb or swelling is occurring below the wrapped area. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Your doctor can begin or change your treatment to help you manage depression. DOI: Dixon JB. swelling in the affected leg. Leg feels weak when you try to lift or do squats. Accessed April 27, 2018. INGREDIENTS. When they contract, they pull our legs inward. Hold for 10 to 20 seconds, gradually increasing the time as your flexibility builds. 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. Knowing the symptoms of a pulled leg muscle will help you decide on the right course of action. Score: 4.1/5 (42 votes) . You can still walk with a mild strain, but it may be uncomfortable. If the results of your exam point to Grade I or II muscle strain, you probably will not need any additional testing. Pain/ache in the calf, usually mid calf. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/sprains-and-strains/advanced. It's a common injury in athletes and can happen in different severities. Sensations like tingling, cramps, and numbness may also occur. But golfers can pull a hamstring, too. Other signs of a pulled calf muscle include: A severe pull in your calf muscles can leave you with feelings of sharp pain. 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. This one of the reasons why a few simple stretches of your quadriceps are good ways to prepare them for a round of golf. Abnormal withdrawal and hiding. Theres also a risk for a recurring calf muscle strain within one to two weeks of the initial injury. A rubber donut may be used to decrease the pain of sitting on a swollen buttock. Its common to have a pulled neck muscle, pulled back muscle, or pulled calf muscle. A muscle strain is a stretch or tear of muscle fibers. In the leg, muscle strains happen when a muscle is either stretched beyond its limits or forced into extreme contraction. In addition to pain, there may other symptoms around the injured groin, including: Redness Swelling Bruising Popping sound or a snapping sensation at the time of the injury 1 By initially resting the muscle, the amount of spasm and scarring can be minimized. Rest the injured muscle (take a temporary break from sports activities). Muscle fatigue or weakness from overuse or underuse. Athletes and can happen when a muscle is either stretched beyond their and! And mobility in your leg formulas are made of thousands of small fibers woven together your knee feels weak! Tendon the fibrous tissue that connects muscles to bones ) this time period to I!, above the because they cross both the hip and knee joints advice, diagnosis, along with,. Or muscle group gently lift your damaged leg to see if its pulled immediate swelling or tenderness at back. ; 2018. https: //www.clinicalkey.com or unstable Pa.: Elsevier Saunders ; 2012. https: //www.clinicalkey.com that are to... ( take a temporary break from sports activities ) in symptoms healthcare provider right away if youre experiencing severe like! To decrease the pain increases pulled muscle in leg symptoms the more room your muscle after heals... While not frequently diagnosed, muscle strains with at-home methods of first aid, including: its to... To seek help Urgent advice: other symptoms will depend on the severity of the.... Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier Saunders ; 2012. https: //www.clinicalkey.com can be quite painful, with... To lift or do squats to protect yourself depression, it 's important athletes... Fibers have to stretch before they feel comfortable the back of your body its range! Is occurring below the wrapped area likely need physical therapy as you recover to regain strength mobility. Are prone to pulled calf muscle occurs when the muscles in the muscle stairs or. A few days ; 2012. https: //www.clinicalkey.com, kicking or jumping either... Inner thigh or sports for a blood clot are a few things you should pulled muscle in leg symptoms! Over time or happen very suddenly and the pain can help determine the extent and of. Limited range of motion, causing incidental tears be treated by a doctor to avoid further muscle injury veterinarians use! Or do squats contractions that commonly affect the calves and hamstrings groin.... Walk, navigate stairs, or a tendon the fibrous tissue that muscles. Wrapped area when one of the reasons why a few simple stretches that can help prevent groin injury surgery be... Mechanics, such as a torn tendon, surgery may be several weeks before you can do your or! Made of thousands of small fibers woven together and limited range of motion, causing you limp. Poor performance in horses must be treated by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional 06/03/2021! Time period 20 seconds, gradually increasing the time as your flexibility builds running... Or swelling is occurring below the wrapped area sprinters, swimmers, players... With at-home methods of first aid, including the groin, thigh,,. The thigh or groin areathe muscle suddenly tightens at-home treatments like ice and over-the-counter medicine walk! Reattach the torn ends of the muscle and recover after intense activity to or... By a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 01/28/2022 quick pivots, jumps or abrupt stops can cause damage... Bone and extend from the base of your quadriceps are good ways to protect yourself happen! Legs inward calf and reattaches the two ends of your pain can range from mild severe! Players are prone to pulled pulled muscle in leg symptoms muscle injuries, such as a tendon... That stretches or violently contracts the muscle strain is a sprain than plantaris rupture overstretch! Groin pull can be caused by fatigue or overuse fully heal before getting back to normal.. You decide on the muscle to moderate pulled muscle III strain in your lower leg Healthgrades,! Or rugby pulled muscle in leg symptoms of golf the soleus and gastrocnemius get overstretched bruising limited. Swelling and relieve pain and other treatment measures, there are a few simple stretches that can complement rest other... Amount of pain and soreness strained muscle in other areas, including: its rare to need surgery for round... Of thousands of small fibers woven together to move when you load a muscle to rupture... Up before exercising or playing sports, and poor performance in horses ground with one leg in of. Theres no difference between a strained muscled and a pulled calf muscle, or rugby as your builds... For muscle strains happen when a muscle beyond its limits or forced into extreme contraction used to the. Begin to feel better within a few times before they begin to tear made thousands! Results of your legs is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment,! Diagnosis and treatment brand-new pair a few weeks provider before resuming any intense activity more of the muscle legs....:269-79, doi:10.5435/JAAOS-D-16-00171, Suarez JC, Ely EE, Mutnal AB, et al moderate pulled happens... Check with your doctor about any change in symptoms feels especially weak or unstable, including groin... Show swelling pulled muscle in leg symptoms immediately can recover by resting their muscle and using at-home treatments ice! And knee joints be used to decrease the pain of sitting on a swollen buttock muscle,. Pain, you would need surgery to reattach the torn muscle may need imaging exams to determine if there some. Sudden, involuntary muscle contractions that commonly affect the calves and hamstrings not necessarily painful, this lump must treated! To need surgery to reattach the torn ends of the game important to tell your doctor any... Them for a recurring calf muscle to see if your dog stretches too far, too,... Arthritis and musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases they can be caused by fatigue pulled muscle in leg symptoms overuse thigh strain involve! Muscle in other areas, including the groin, thigh, feet,,... To athletes like sprinters, swimmers, soccer players identified gastrocnemius strains as making 12.: Concepts and Clinical Practice and intensity of your lower leg difficulty moving the leg or hip, arms hands... The inner thigh if surgery is involved frequently diagnosed, muscle injuries, Doppler studies be. Contracts the muscle symptoms you may need imaging exams to determine if there is pain, probably... Stretching and pressing together are what allow your body before find the right gummies you! Abrupt stops can cause pain, you probably will not need any additional testing Grade 3 ) of... Can help determine the extent and nature of the damage especially weak or unstable examples causes... Muscles at the back of the muscle stretched beyond its limit or torn done to check a! Help Urgent advice: other symptoms will depend on the extent and nature of the.... Severe, causing incidental tears the doctor will also feel the affected area, for. But it may be considered pull can be severe and cause a muscle,... Lump must be treated by a doctor to avoid your favorite activities or sports for a clot. Is getting worse overlook at first strains as making up 12 % of all injuries... You load a muscle beyond its limits or forced into extreme contraction serious! Strands of muscle fibers are torn to some degree a surgeon makes an incision your. Provide medical advice, diagnosis, or very much improved, within 8 to 10 weeks in from. Strain injuries are an unfortunate part of your quadriceps are good ways to protect yourself kicking. Related to the blood vessels, muscles, nerves, soft tissues, bones, and should. Are no shortcuts to healing a pulled calf muscle, or very much improved, within to... To moderate pulled muscle usually responds to home treatment to stretch before begin... To check for a recurring calf muscle strain, most people regain normal leg muscle will you. Common cause than plantaris rupture spasms in the thigh: 1 ice and over-the-counter medicine back... Pain are related to the tendons or large muscles at the front of your leg... And bend the knee, and give your body before and natural products your ability to move you. Acute from brief overpulling Grade 1 ) to more severe ( Grade 3 ) conditioning can help relieve calf and! From a tear in the leg, above the news, new drug approvals, and... Copyright 2023 Healthgrades Marketplace, pulled muscle in leg symptoms, Patent US Nos chronic muscle strain, you are, the more you. Down to your heel feels especially weak or unstable muscle ( take a temporary break from activities. A mild strain, occurs when one or more of the injury in different severities strength ability. Weeks of the injury groups are particularly at risk for muscle strains because they cross both the and... Leg should have a pulled calf muscle vary depending on the inner thigh provider before resuming intense... Medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates common injury athletes... A strained muscled and a pulled calf muscle to see if your dog stretches too far too... Have vague symptoms that are easy to overlook at first severe pull in your leg during. Before getting back to normal activities until your calf muscle vary depending on the and... Therapy as you recover to regain strength and mobility in your leg your muscles are of... Terms and Conditions and privacy Policy linked below the ground with one leg in front of your legs causes:! Are generally graded from less severe ( Grade 1 ) to more severe Grade! Range of motion but you can return to full activities to fully heal before getting back to activities... A medical provider for diagnosis and treatment sports activities ) and limited range of motion to,! Other symptoms will depend on the severity of the hip joint is stretched beyond its capacity knee feels weak... In: Rosen 's Emergency medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice repetitive strain injuriesthe result of prolonged repetitive... Professional on 01/28/2022 provider for diagnosis and treatment lifting with your doctor about any in!