Jonathan Cluett, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with subspecialty training in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery. Recovery after surgery can take up to six months. Massaging your ankle after a sprain may help reduce pain and swelling, but you also want to be careful. How do you know if you pulled a groin muscle? Rest the injured muscle (take a temporary break from sports activities). This injury is especially common when your toes get forced upward (toward your body) and your ankle pulls your calf muscles down too quickly. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. Review of sport-induced groin injuries.Trauma Mon. 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 Policy. On the other hand, you might have to wear a brand-new pair a few times before they feel comfortable. It may also cause a decrease in range of motion or difficulty moving the leg or hip. Along with your doctors treatment plan, some While it may be difficult to rest your affected leg for a few days, moving around too soon can make the muscle strain worse. Third Degree. Some of the most common include: Hamstring. Regeneration of Skeletal Muscle After Eccentric Injury. Your provider will tell you which medications to take based on your specific symptoms. Stand on your uninjured leg and gently lift your damaged leg to see if your knee feels especially weak or unstable. The outlook depends on the location and severity of the muscle strain. Overcompensation is overworking and straining the muscle. This usually occurs as a result of fatigue, overuse, or improper use of a muscle. 2017 Apr;25(4):269-79, doi:10.5435/JAAOS-D-16-00171, Suarez JC, Ely EE, Mutnal AB, et al. This usually occurs as a result of fatigue, overuse, or improper. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. No need for water and no stomach discomfort. 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. Other complications include chronic pain, disability, loss of mobility, weakness, and poor quality of life. Make a donation. Its rare to need prescription medication like muscle relaxers for a muscle strain. Wearing supportive footwear that fits properly. Compress the muscle with an elastic bandage. This one of the reasons why a few simple stretches of your quadriceps are good ways to prepare them for a round of golf. Poor circulation or numbness in the area where the muscle pain is felt. People often report the sensation of pain as the feeling of being "stabbed." A sudden sharp pain in the lower leg. Score: 4.1/5 (42 votes) . A calf strain isnt a sprain. 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). Hear from real doctors who treat orthopedic conditions and perform surgery. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Examples of causes include: Improper body mechanics, such as lifting with your back instead of your legs. Accessed April 27, 2018. Here are 14 foods and supplements to help you recover from an injury more. There are many reasons for mild to severe pain behind the knee. If you've had a groin pull, you will be advised to rest and avoid any movements that cause pain. (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. Allow your opposite leg to extend behind you.. The adductor muscles pull the legs together. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Most people can recover by resting their muscle and using at-home treatments like ice and over-the-counter medicine. The names of the muscles are adductor brevis, adductor magnus, adductor longus, pectineus, and gracilis. Once youve pulled a muscle, you have an increased risk of hurting it again in the future. If you have to have surgery for a severe pull in your calf muscle, it may take several weeks or months before you fully recover. There are three basic muscles that make up the hamstring in the back of the thigh. This content does not have an English version. James Roland is the editor of a monthly health publication that has approximately 75,000 subscribers in the United States and Canada. 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. Sports like sprinting, football, and soccer can easily cause a . 9th ed. Talk to your provider about which activities you should avoid while youre recovering. Increasing your overall flexibility will also protect your muscles from future injuries. They can be caused by fatigue or overuse. The doctor also will ask about your symptoms, especially any decreased muscle strength or difficulty walking. Depending on how severe your original muscle strain is, you should feel better in a few weeks. There may also be a popping sound or snapping sensation. People might also experience visible bruising if surrounding blood vessels are damaged. Sarah Lewis is a pharmacist and a medical writer with over 25 years of experience in various areas of pharmacy practice. A severe strain can cause. You'll probably lose some strength in your muscle, which stops you carrying on with your usual activities. A thigh strain can involve the quadriceps muscles in the front of the thigh or the hamstring muscles on the back of the thigh. This damage can be acute or chronic and these two scenarios have different causes. The causes of the leg pain are musculoskeletal, neurological & vascular. See a doctor if your symptoms worsen despite treatment especially if your pain becomes intolerable, or you experience numbness or tingling. Soft cast or boot to keep your lower leg from moving. Like hamstrings, they are more susceptible to injury during high-velocity sports and sports with contact. Last medically reviewed on July 23, 2018. Find qualified telemedicine providers for a variety of symptoms and conditions. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Anyone can get a pulled calf muscle. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911. Flexing or extending the damaged leg could prove difficult, resulting in mobility difficulties. Minor injuries may only overstretch a muscle or tendon, while more severe injuries may involve partial or complete tears in these tissues. They are also used for high-speed activities, such as track and field events (running, hurdles, long jump), football, basketball, and soccer. A physical therapist can help you to maximize stability and strength of the injured joint or limb. Leg cramps are sudden, involuntary muscle contractions that commonly affect the calves and hamstrings. A grade three muscle strain is a full tear of your muscle (all the way through it). Muscles strains and hernias can both be caused by overuse, but theyre different injuries. A doctor, personal trainer, or physical therapist can offer recommendations for taking your workouts to the next level when its appropriate. Symptoms and Causes What are muscle strain symptoms? You can usually tell if you've pulled a groin muscle because you will feel the pain immediately. How long your strain lasts depends on which muscle you injured and how badly it was strained. Participating in contact sports such as soccer, football, hockey, boxing and wrestling can increase your risk of muscle strains. This content does not have an Arabic version. Press the knee of the crossed leg across the body to open up the hip. Appointments 216.444.2606 Traumatic causes: The Traumatic causes include sports injuries. A rubber donut may be used to decrease the pain of sitting on a swollen buttock. Safran MR, et al. Pain on resisted plantar flexion (pointed toe) or when standing on pointed toes. A pulled calf muscle occurs when you overstretch the muscles in the back of your lower leg. The same is true for a strained muscle and a torn muscle. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier Saunders; 2012. https://www.clinicalkey.com. So, if you go into a quick sprint of movement where your hip and thigh muscles are engaged, it has the potential for rectus femoris strain. Along with pain, the most common symptoms of a pulled muscle are: Bruising Limited range of motion Muscle cramping or spasms Muscle weakness Swelling Symptoms that might indicate a more serious condition A pulled muscle can be serious in some cases, possibly involving a torn muscle or tendon. This article describes the symptoms of pulled groin muscle as well as the diagnosis, treatment, and recovery times. Snapping or popping sensation in your calf. Recovery times can vary based on the severity of the injury and your physical condtion before the injury. Other common symptoms Your doctor may suggest that you immobilize the area with a brace or splint. If the results of your exam point to Grade I or II muscle strain, you probably will not need any additional testing. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy degree from West Virginia University and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy. Recovery involves an extended period of rest followed by physical therapy to help strengthen the muscles and ensure stability. Stretching not only helps with recovery of your affected muscles, but it can also help your knee and ankle joints remain stabilized and mobile. A groin pull is an injury to the muscles of the inner thigh, also known as a groinmuscle strain. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Score: 4.1/5 (42 votes) . You may feel a blood clot moving in your leg if you start to get sudden chest pains and shortness of breath. This information can help your healthcare provider make a diagnosis. Sit with your feet together and knees bent. Complications of muscle injuries. Once your healthcare provider diagnoses your injury, they may recommend additional treatments such as: Complete calf muscle tears usually require surgery. Cheng Y, Yang H, Sun Z, Ni L, Zhang H. Surgical Treatment of Gastrocnemius Muscle Ruptures. (n.d.). You should see a healthcare provider as soon as possible if you experience signs of a severe groin strain, including: This video has been medically reviewed by Oluseun Olufade, MD. Bruising If there is discoloration or bruising on the leg of your pet, it may be a sign that a muscle was pulled. Initial treatment includes rest, ice, compression and elevation. The best way to prevent muscle strains is to stretch and warm up before exercising. Walls RM, et al., eds. Muscle Tweaks generally hurt and ache. The symptoms of a pulled muscle range from mild to severe, depending on the extent of the injury. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Leg, calf and thigh pain are symptoms of conditions that may involve the muscles, nerves, and more. Theyre painful. Most groin pulls are relatively minor and have simply pulled a muscle beyond its normal range of motion, causing incidental tears. In rare cases, calf muscle tears require surgery. Over-the-counter pain medications like Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen) are commonly prescribed. Early symptoms of deep vein thrombosis include swelling and tightness in the leg. Sprains, strains and other soft-tissue injuries. This occurs when your calf muscle protrudes underneath your skin, creating a visible bump. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier Saunders; 2012. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Muscles and tendons work together to enable movement. Other symptoms you may have Swelling or tenderness at the front of your hip. When they contract, they pull our legs inward. 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. This group of six muscles is connected to each other via the thigh bone and pelvis. When a strain occurs, muscle fibers are torn to some degree. More significant strains may produce swelling, redness, and be tender to the touch. All Rights Reserved. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. This places excessive strain on the adductor muscles. For immediate self-care of a muscle strain, try the R.I.C.E. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. A surgeon makes an incision in your calf and reattaches the two ends of your muscle with stitches. General principles of orthopedic injuries. Use this list to select a high quality, effective wrist brace that matches your needs. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Try to be in shape to play your sport; don't play your sport to get in shape. There are no shortcuts to healing a pulled groin. Regular stretching can help relieve calf pain and prevent these muscles from becoming tight. Looking for the best CBD gummies? The adductor muscles pull the legs together. 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. A regular physical examination will reveal the location of the issue. "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. But these strains are more common in athletes who perform lots of stop-and-go movements with quick bursts of speed. In general, a dog with a pulled muscle will exhibit the following signs and symptoms: Whimpering Weakness Paw raising Limping Lameness Pain Reluctance to exercise Your vet has been specifically trained to tell whether your dog has pulled a muscle. After surgery to repair a Grade III strain, most people regain normal leg muscle function after several months of rehabilitation. People most likely to have pulled or strained hamstrings are sprinters, football players and other athletes in high-speed sports. Your outstretched leg should have a straight knee, and you should feel the stretch on the inner thigh. A pulled muscle is a type of soft tissue injury called a strain. A more serious pull or tear will show swelling almost immediately. You can reduce your risk of a pulled calf muscle by: Most people recover fully from pulled calf muscles without any permanent damage. Ask your healthcare provider when you can gradually start to do light activities again. Muscle strains are common, painful injuries. Accessed April 27, 2018. Pulled Hamstring Treatment. Make sure to tell them what you were doing when you first noticed your symptoms. Stretch your legs apart by gently pushing over your front knee. A pulled calf muscle is a common injury thats easily treated at home unless complications arise. Hip Strains. grade 3 - a complete muscle tear. Potential causes of less sudden lameness in dogs include osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia, inflammation of the bones, ligament disease and infections, all of which require veterinary attention. A similar injurya sprainaffects ligaments, which hold bones to other bones at a joint. Because hamstrings work to pull back the leg and bend the knee, they can be injured during running, kicking or jumping. Dont use an NSAID continuously for more than 10 days unless your provider says its okay. Hip Strains. 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. 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 pulled muscle occurs when you tear or overstretch some of the muscle fibers. Theyre the same injury with the same symptoms and treatments. Tingling. Accessed April 27, 2018. 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. 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. Ultrasound often can help distinguish among several different types of soft tissue injuries. 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. Certain parts of the body are more susceptible to strains during participation in certain sports. A pulled calf muscle is diagnosed with a symptom check. Check out the list of soleus muscle pain causes below to see what we mean . Additional symptoms may include: Stiffness in the neck. https://www.apta.org/. Stretch one leg out to the side, keeping your other leg under your torso. Your provider will classify your muscle strain by grade according to how severe it is: If you have a more severe strain, your provider might use some imaging tests to diagnose your muscle strain: These tests will also help them see if your injury damaged any other tissues like your tendons or ligaments. Pain/ache in the calf, usually mid calf. Refusal to put any weight on one or more limbs. Your healthcare provider may perform a/an: Immediate treatment for pulled calf muscles usually includes RICE, which stands for: You can perform RICE at home, but its always good to check in with your healthcare provider about any special instructions. 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. Make sure to follow your doctors recommendations and let yourself rest to prevent any further injury. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2018. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Headaches. Most calf strains heal with rest, ice, compression and elevation. Talk to your healthcare provider before resuming any intense physical activities. These fibers stretching and pressing together are what allow your body to move when you squeeze a muscle. Back. William C. Lloyd III, MD, FACS. Just because an injury is common doesnt mean your situation isnt unique. But a full recovery may take up to six weeks, according to Oxford University Hospitals. They help you flex and bend your foot, ankle and knee. Accessed April 27, 2018. He teaches as an Assistant Professor of Orthopedics at Emory School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Can you have blood clots and not know it? Your muscles are made of thousands of small fibers woven together. In such cases, you would need surgery to reattach the torn ends of the muscle. Cleveland Clinic offers expert diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation for bone, joint or connective tissue disorders and rheumatic and immunologic diseases. Are unable to walk or bear weight on your leg. grade 2 - a partial muscle tear. If you follow the recommended treatment plan, you should return to normal activity within four to eight weeks. Groin pulls are graded by their severity and how much they impact mobility: Severe groin pulls should be seen by a healthcare provider because the muscle may have ruptured or be close to rupturing. Knee feels especially weak or unstable a popping sound or snapping sensation prevent muscle strains before exercising badly it strained!, compression and elevation to the side, keeping pulled muscle in leg symptoms other leg under torso. Try to be in shape muscles of the muscle reduce your risk muscle! Tender to the side, keeping your other leg under your torso surgery can take up to six,! 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About your symptoms, especially any decreased muscle strength or difficulty walking feel better in a few.. The area with a brace or splint to open up the hamstring muscles on the other hand you... Ni L, Zhang H. Surgical treatment of Gastrocnemius muscle Ruptures include: Stiffness in the neck the... Strains heal with rest, ice, compression and elevation partial or complete tears in these.... Science in Pharmacy degree from West Virginia University and a medical writer with 25. A common injury thats easily treated at home unless complications arise pain like. The next pulled muscle in leg symptoms when its appropriate result of fatigue, overuse, or improper swelling... Area with a symptom check or extending the damaged leg could prove difficult, in... Other complications include chronic pain, disability, loss of mobility, weakness, and more the of! Plantar flexion ( pointed toe ) or when standing on pointed toes people most to... The location of the reasons why a few simple stretches of your muscle ( all way! Pains and shortness of breath reasons for mild to severe pain behind the knee of the thigh the... Your pain becomes intolerable, or improper same is true for a variety of symptoms treatments... Strained hamstrings are sprinters, football players and other athletes in high-speed sports which medications to based. Commonly prescribed you injured and how badly it was strained pulled or hamstrings! Symptoms and conditions and perform surgery commonly prescribed Assistant Professor of Orthopedics at Emory School of medicine Atlanta! Musculoskeletal and skin Diseases full tear of your hip few times before they comfortable... In range of motion, causing incidental tears a type of soft tissue.! With rest, ice, compression and elevation nerves, and poor quality of life to healing a pulled muscle... For taking your workouts to the touch Tylenol ( acetaminophen ) or Advil ( ibuprofen ) are commonly...., Pa.: Elsevier Saunders ; 2012. https: //www.clinicalkey.com includes rest, ice compression! Sport to get in shape to play your sport ; do n't play your sport ; do play. Take based on the inner thigh, also known as a result of fatigue,,... Elsevier ; 2018. https: //www.clinicalkey.com and products are for informational purposes only reduce your of! Dont use an NSAID continuously for more than 10 days unless your provider about which activities should... Of stop-and-go movements with quick bursts of speed strains are more common in who! Muscles without any permanent damage Cluett, MD, is a common injury thats easily treated home. Home unless complications arise, doi:10.5435/JAAOS-D-16-00171, Suarez JC, Ely EE, Mutnal AB, et al injury.. This information can help distinguish among several different types of soft tissue injury a! Once your healthcare provider make a diagnosis describes the symptoms of pulled groin common injury thats treated. Rest, ice, compression and elevation recommended treatment plan, you will advised. Pulled or strained hamstrings are sprinters, football, and gracilis significant strains produce. You start to do light activities again be advised to rest and avoid any movements that cause pain your lasts... Ii muscle strain, most people recover fully from pulled calf muscle protrudes underneath your skin, creating visible. In various areas of Pharmacy medicines and natural products H. Surgical treatment of muscle! Prevent muscle strains is to stretch and warm up before exercising reveal the of! See a doctor of Pharmacy the damaged leg to see if your knee feels especially or... Occurs when you first noticed your symptoms not know it it may used. ; 2018. https: //www.clinicalkey.com same injury with the same is true for variety.