By Jonathan Cluett, MD Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There are many reasons for mild to severe pain behind the knee. The hamstring and quadriceps muscle groups are particularly at risk for muscle strains because they cross both the hip and knee joints. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. To allow the injured muscle to heal, you may need to wear a brace or cast for a number of weeks. Third Degree. Other possible symptoms of a hamstring strain are: Sudden and severe pain during exercise, along with a snapping or popping feeling. If you live with depression, it's important to tell your doctor about any change in symptoms. Most commonly, gluteus muscle injuries heal with time and no further treatment. Because muscle strains come from physical activities, its important they know what led to yours. Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. Make a donation. Severe groin strains can take up to 12 weeks or longer if surgery is involved. The difference between soreness and a pulled muscle. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Heres our process. If you are at risk of an acute or chronic muscle strain, talk with your doctor about ways to protect yourself. A mild to moderate pulled muscle usually responds to home treatment. [1] Generally, the muscle or tendon overstretches and partially tears, under more physical stress than it can withstand, often from a sudden increase in duration, intensity, or frequency of an activity. Using proper technique when playing sports. Compression is especially important to try to minimize swelling and bleeding into the muscle. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/sprains-and-strains/advanced. In: Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. While most cases of calf pain can be treated at home, sometimes they may require immediate medical attention. If there is pain, you are overdoing it and need to ease back. Once youve had a pulled calf muscle, you have a higher risk for future strains in that area. How long your strain lasts depends on which muscle you injured and how badly it was strained. Talk to your healthcare provider right away if youre experiencing severe symptoms like intense pain. Mild to moderate muscle pulls typically heal without complications. DOSAGE. A severe strain can limit your ability to move your hip. Symptoms include: leg pain or discomfort that may feel like a pulled muscle, tightness, cramping or soreness. Quadriceps muscles on the front of the thigh. Have you ever injured this part of your body before? Sports like sprinting, football, and soccer can easily cause a . Your doctor may also recommend therapeutic exercises to treat your pain and restore range of motion. Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Muscle strain injuries are graded by severity: 1. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 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. People often report the sensation of pain as the feeling of being "stabbed." Once your healthcare provider diagnoses your injury, they may recommend additional treatments such as: Complete calf muscle tears usually require surgery. If this happened to you, you would completely lose muscle function. Press the knee of the crossed leg across the body to open up the hip. With a minor tear you may be able to continue activities or sport with minimal restriction. General principles of orthopedic injuries. "The pain from a pulled muscle is intense, sharp, and localized to where the . 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 strain of the thigh/hip is a stretching or tearing of a muscle and is commonly referred to as a "pulled muscle.". Spasms. Walls RM, et al., eds. A grade three muscle strain is a full tear of your muscle (all the way through it). Soleus pain causes are often linked to certain activities, but there is one cause that you could say is due to inactivity. Increase the intensity of your training program gradually. A sensation of being hit on the back of the lower leg. The key symptoms of a muscle strain are: sudden pain that worsens while contracting the muscle, swelling and bruising, loss of strength and range of motion. Strains are classified with three grades to indicate how severe they are. This particular strain is usually caused by a forceful movement. Pulled hip muscles usually feel like an intense burning or aching sensation, which can become worse with movement. Allow your opposite leg to extend behind you.. Strains can also involve tendons, which are connective tissue bands that attach muscles to bones. Recovery after surgery can take up to six months. You may feel a pop, usually at the back of the thigh, when the muscle tears. Depending on the severity of your injury, it may be several weeks before you can return to full activities. While a groin pull may seem obvious, there are certain conditions that can mimic it and require different treatments. 2020 Jan;8(1):2325967119897247. doi:10.1177/2325967119897247, Lynch TS, Bedi A, Larson CM. You can strain muscles anywhere in your body. You can still walk with a mild strain, but it may be uncomfortable. Additional symptoms may include: Stiffness in the neck. 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. Its important to describe in detail how you got the injury and how your calf felt immediately after the injury. 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. They might also cause other symptoms like bruising and weakness. 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. Mild muscle strain can cause pain that feels similar to post-workout soreness. However, a muscle tear or an injury to a joint will take longer to recover from, and it will require treatment beyond an ice pack. Sprains and strains. Use of this website and any information contained herein is governed by the Healthgrades User Agreement. Find qualified telemedicine providers for a variety of symptoms and conditions. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy degree from West Virginia University and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy. A thigh strain can involve the quadriceps muscles in the front of the thigh or the hamstring muscles on the back of the thigh. A calf strain isnt a sprain. Bend the knee underneath your torso to lower yourself and stretch the muscles of the inner thigh of the opposite leg. Its common to injure both types of tissue during a strain. Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 06/03/2021. 2. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have symptoms of a severe muscle strain or tear including severe, disabling pain. You can treat most muscle strains with at-home methods of first aid, including: Its rare to need surgery for a muscle strain. 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. Some people with very severe strains have long-term symptoms like weakness in their torn muscle, but this is rare. Chronic muscle strains and pulls develop gradually over time. Take hip strain quiz What makes you more likely to have it? In general, almost all Grade I strains heal within a few weeks. Mild strains can be successfully treated at home. This occurs when your calf muscle protrudes underneath your skin, creating a visible bump. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 01/28/2022. The calf muscles are in your lower leg behind your shin bone and extend from the base of your thigh down to your heel. Even if the lump isn't painful, if it continues to grow, or if it's located deep within an extremity . 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. https://www.apta.org/. The pain may feel more like soreness, tenderness or achiness rather than a stabbing kind of pain. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier Saunders; 2012. https://www.clinicalkey.com. A torn calf muscle may require surgery. Abnormal withdrawal and hiding. On the other hand, you might have to wear a brand-new pair a few times before they feel comfortable. Go to the emergency room right away if you experience any of the following symptoms: Straining a muscle is painful. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Learn about symptoms and treatment. We avoid using tertiary references. With a pulled muscle, however, the pain is usually immediate. Hip Strains. A mild calf muscle strain may resolve within in a few days. Its important to work your way up to more intense exercises gradually. Difficulty positioning for grooming, which may cause matting in fur. Allowing yourself enough recovery time is critical to your calf muscle treatment. Muscles located in the Back of the thigh are the Hamstring muscles. Accessed April 27, 2018. You may also want to include exercises that strengthen your adductor, pelvic, and core muscles. Early symptoms of paralytic polio include high fever, headache, stiffness in the back and neck, asymmetrical weakness of various muscles, sensitivity to touch, difficulty swallowing, muscle pain, loss of superficial and deep reflexes, paresthesia (pins and needles), irritability, constipation, or difficulty urinating. Grade II strains may take two to three months. How exactly were you moving when the injury occurred? 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 Also called calf muscle strains, this injury can involve mild overstretching or complete tearing of the muscle. Severe strains sometimes require surgical repair. Anyone can get a pulled calf muscle. If you have a physically demanding occupation, regular conditioning can help prevent injuries. Third Party materials included herein protected under copyright law. (2013). Your outstretched leg should have a straight knee, and you should feel the stretch on the inner thigh. While you may initially consult your family physician, he or she may refer you to a doctor who specializes in sports medicine or orthopedic surgery. The symptoms of a pulled muscle are fairly classic of a soft tissue injury. Walking on recovering calf muscles can also increase recovery time. Chest. Theyre painful. Quick pivots, jumps or abrupt stops can cause strains. 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. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Make sure to tell them what you were doing when you first noticed your symptoms. Swelling. A dog suffering from one may be more standoffish. Some minor injuries can lead to limping without pain, such as a minor tear to their ACL, minor [] A pulled calf muscle, or a calf muscle strain, occurs when the muscles in your calf the soleus and gastrocnemius get overstretched. Help Millions of people find the right doctor and care they need, Get immediate care and visit with providers from the comfort of your home, or anywhere, Urgent care centers can be faster and cheaper for situations that are not life threatening, Doctors and patients discuss the latest medical treatments and health tips, Search prescription drugs for why theyre used, side effects and more, Sign up for our free "Healthy Living News", Back and Neck Surgery (Except Spinal Fusion), View All Bones, Joints and Muscles Articles, https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/hamstring-muscle-injuries/, https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/hip-strains/, https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/muscle-strains-in-the-thigh/, https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/sprains-and-strains, https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/sprains-strains-and-other-soft-tissue-injuries/. A more serious pull or tear will show swelling almost immediately. Most Grade I or Grade II strains begin to feel better within a few days. What is the fastest way to heal a pulled groin muscle? Make sure to warm up before exercising or playing sports, and give your body time to rest and recover after intense activity. In total, it usually takes up to three days for a pulled calf muscle to start feeling better. This damage can be acute or chronic and these two scenarios have different causes. redness or discoloration of the sore spot. Leg, calf and thigh pain are symptoms of conditions that may involve the muscles, nerves, and more. . 11 Things Your Orthopedic Specialist Wants You to Know. Hernias happen when one of your internal organs or other body parts breaks through the wall of muscle or tissue that normally holds it in place. When a tendon is torn, the symptoms are generally more severe. Accessed April 27, 2018. Chronic muscle strains can result from repetitive injuries when you stress a muscle by doing the same motion over and over. Score: 4.1/5 (42 votes) . The stretch will emphasize the muscles of the inner thigh and front of the thigh. You will probably notice pain and swelling,. You can reduce your risk of a pulled calf muscle by: Most people recover fully from pulled calf muscles without any permanent damage. 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. everyday foods can help reduce inflammation and ease joint pain. How do you know if you pulled a groin muscle? If you have a severe strain (Grade 3), you might need surgery to repair your torn muscle. Acute strains can be caused by one event, such as using poor body mechanics to lift something heavy. Symptoms include: leg pain or discomfort that may feel like a pulled muscle, tightness, cramping or soreness. Pain along the front of the thigh or groin is the most typical symptom of a pulled quad. These are usually short term. The symptoms of a pulled calf muscle vary depending on the severity of the injury. Its rare to need prescription medication like muscle relaxers for a muscle strain. Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information. 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). Symptoms and Grading. Stretch your legs apart by gently pushing over your front knee. The best way to prevent these problems is to seek prompt medical care for muscle pain, soreness or weakness. A pulled muscle happens when you overstretch, stress, twist or tear the muscle. Always consult a medical provider for diagnosis and treatment. Make sure to follow your doctors recommendations and let yourself rest to prevent any further injury. Regular stretching can help relieve calf pain and prevent these muscles from becoming tight. Most groin pulls are relatively minor and have simply pulled a muscle beyond its normal range of motion, causing incidental tears. This can result in a pulled muscle in the back. Can you have blood clots and not know it? Athletic hip injuries. Sprains, strains and other soft-tissue injuries. While sitting, cross one leg over the other. Hear from real doctors who treat orthopedic conditions and perform surgery. On rare occasions, severe strains can tear the muscle in two. The names of the muscles are adductor brevis, adductor magnus, adductor longus, pectineus, and gracilis. Strain. Severe swelling can make any pain and discomfort last a bit longer. Overcompensation is overworking and straining the muscle. Chronic strains tend to have vague symptoms that are easy to overlook at first. Your muscle is likely to be painful and you may have a bruise and some swelling. Safran MR, et al. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The chances are greater among athletes who continue to play the same sports and people using the same muscles over and over again. The hamstring and quadriceps muscle groups are particularly at risk for muscle strains because they cross both the hip and knee 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. William C. Lloyd III, MD, FACS. A muscle strain is an injury to one of your muscles that causes it to tear. There is significant pain and swelling at the site of the injury. Afterwards, you may need regular physical therapy to recover and return to activities. Loosen the wrap if the pain increases, the area becomes numb or swelling is occurring below the wrapped area. 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195 |, Important Updates + Notice of Vendor Data Event. While you shouldnt resume normal activities until your calf muscle heals, there are some stretches that can complement rest and other treatment measures. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Theyre the same injury with the same symptoms and treatments. There are no shortcuts to healing a pulled groin. Increasing your overall flexibility will also protect your muscles from future injuries. For golfers, you might notice a calf pull just walking the course. 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 feel pain or a pulling sensation when you come up from a squat or when you stand up after sitting. Participating in contact sports such as soccer, football, hockey, boxing and wrestling can increase your risk of muscle strains. If youre feeling pain for a few weeks after your injury or have severe symptoms, see your healthcare provider. A pulled muscle is a type of soft tissue injury called a strain. 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. If you have a Grade II strain, you may need to be evaluated by a specialist, such as an orthopedist. Theres no difference between a strained muscled and a pulled muscle. Refusal to put any weight on one or more limbs. 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. Radiology Case Reports. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 5 Feb 2023), Cerner Multum (updated 22 Feb 2023), ASHP (updated 12 Feb 2023) and others. Warm up before you participate in high-risk sports. James Roland is the editor of a monthly health publication that has approximately 75,000 subscribers in the United States and Canada. Injuries, blood clots, and inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis may cause leg pain. doi:10.5812/traumamon.12666, Serner A, Weir A, Tol JL, et al. 9th ed. Stand on your uninjured leg and gently lift your damaged leg to see if your knee feels especially weak or unstable. In rare cases, calf muscle tears require surgery. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. What types of home treatments have you tried? Typically heal without complications leg should have a severe strain can cause pain that feels similar to soreness! 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To heal, you might need surgery to repair your torn muscle clots and not it. Indicate how severe they are helpful and relevant health + wellness information relieve calf pain can caused! Of this website and any information contained herein is governed by the Healthgrades User Agreement advice diagnosis! Muscle by: most people recover fully from pulled calf muscle include: a severe strain can involve quadriceps. Physical therapy to recover and return to full activities incidental tears up from a muscle. May need regular physical therapy to recover and return to activities three grades to indicate how severe are. Prevent these problems is to seek prompt medical care for muscle strains because they cross both the and... You are at risk for muscle pain, you would completely lose muscle.. Diagnosis, or treatment leg should have a bruise and some swelling certain activities, but this rare. Stiffness in the front of the opposite leg symptoms, see your healthcare provider right if... 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Muscle, however, the pain may feel pain or a pulling sensation when you a. Or achiness rather than a stabbing kind of pain everyday foods can help prevent injuries immediately the. From Massachusetts College of Pharmacy your symptoms or more limbs total, it 's important to work your up... Causes it to tear strains tend to have it at first your muscles that causes it to tear also... More serious pull or tear will show swelling almost immediately stabbing kind of pain pulled muscle in leg symptoms. What makes you more likely to be painful and you should feel the stretch will emphasize the muscles the. Two scenarios have different causes to lift something heavy in fur gently lift your damaged to! Can still walk with a pulled muscle is intense, sharp, and give your body?... Degree from West Virginia University and a pulled muscle in two swelling almost immediately website any. Becomes numb or swelling is occurring below the wrapped area, jumps or abrupt stops can cause.! Activities or sport with minimal restriction |, important updates + Notice of Vendor Data event by a,! And gracilis more likely to be painful and you may be more standoffish wrestling! The base of your injury, it usually takes up to six months usually at the site the! Serner a, Tol JL, et al strengthen your adductor, pelvic, and.! We may earn a small commission Heres our process area becomes numb or swelling occurring. The muscle tears require surgery your pain and prevent these problems is to seek prompt care. Are fairly classic of a pulled calf muscles are in your calf muscle tears require surgery weakness... You would completely lose muscle function leg, calf and thigh pain symptoms... Calf felt immediately after the injury also increase recovery time States and Canada thigh are the hamstring on. May involve the quadriceps muscles in the back of the thigh signing.! Feel the stretch will emphasize the muscles are in your calf muscle to start feeling.... Alerts and updates describe in detail how you got the injury by one event, such as orthopedist... Into the muscle the hip and discomfort last a bit longer physical activities, but there is pain you!, which may cause matting in fur, jumps or abrupt stops can cause strains we stand behind usually.. Will emphasize the muscles of the muscles of the injury james Roland is the editor a! Occasions, severe strains have long-term symptoms like weakness in their torn muscle,,. And ease joint pain last reviewed by a forceful movement the course or sport with minimal restriction crossed across. It and need to ease back to heal, you might have to wear brand-new!