In: Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. These tears have to be repaired with surgery. 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. Physical therapy is almost invariably a part of the treatment plan. You use crutches or an assistive device to move around. Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. 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). 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. A more serious pull or tear will show swelling almost immediately. Biceps. Abdominal (abs). Like hamstrings, they are more susceptible to injury during high-velocity sports and sports with contact. Sometimes the injury is called tennis leg.. Hip Strains. Sharp pain at the back of your knee can affect walking and cause discomfort when standing or walking up stairs. But a full recovery may take up to six weeks, according to Oxford University Hospitals. A pulled calf muscle is a common injury thats easily treated at home unless complications arise. 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. Veterinarians can use thermography to aid in diagnosis, along with palpation, ultrasound . Even so, a healthcare provider will want to perform a thorough investigation to confirm the diagnosis and characterize the severity of the injury. Strains are what happens when some of the thousands of fibers in your muscles are pulled beyond their limit and tear. Strains may be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the extent of the injury. Spasms. We break down the different CBD sources and how to find the right gummies for you. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. swelling in the affected leg. Accessed 5/29/2021. Its the same way in your muscles. People might also experience visible bruising if surrounding blood vessels are damaged. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Walls RM, et al., eds. Certain parts of the body are more susceptible to strains during participation in certain sports. Symptoms of a Grade III strain may last until the torn muscle is repaired surgically. This information can help your healthcare provider make a diagnosis. Sarah Lewis is a pharmacist and a medical writer with over 25 years of experience in various areas of pharmacy practice. A torn calf muscle may require surgery. This content does not have an Arabic version. Its common to have a pulled neck muscle, pulled back muscle, or pulled calf muscle. They're more common after surgery and among people on bed rest or those who sit for long periods without stretching. 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. Another study of soccer players identified gastrocnemius strains as making up 12% of all muscle injuries. You may feel the blood clot pain is constant, and if you have any of these serious DVT symptoms, you must call a doctor immediately. The best way to prevent these problems is to seek prompt medical care for muscle pain, soreness or weakness. To prevent groin pulls, stretch regularly. Chronic muscle strains and pulls develop gradually over time. Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) can be helpful for pain relief during this time period. Fields KB, Rigby MD. Your muscle is likely to be painful and you may have a bruise and some swelling. Here are the five symptoms you shouldn't ignore. 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. Radiology Case Reports. Sit with your feet together and knees bent. Dull, sharp, and/or achy pain in the neck. Your muscles are the same way. 2nd ed. The muscles at the front of thigh are the most powerful in the body, but they are still vulnerable to pulls and strains. Are there any activities I should avoid while Im recovering? New bungee cords and healthy muscle fibers have plenty of give and stretch. A knot-like feeling. 2013 Sep;21(9):558-70. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-21-09-558. The best advice for preventing pulled leg muscles is to take time to warm up and cool down for golf or any activity. Sprains and strains. 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. "The pain from a pulled muscle is intense, sharp, and localized to where the . Muscle strains happen when you tear a muscle. Youll likely need physical therapy as you recover to regain strength and mobility in your leg. Most groin pulls are relatively minor and have simply pulled a muscle beyond its normal range of motion, causing incidental tears. Check out the list of soleus muscle pain causes below to see what we mean . You know you should stay off it for a while. If you follow the recommended treatment plan, you should return to normal activity within four to eight weeks. The symptoms of a pulled muscle vary, depending on the exact situation, the specific person, and the extent of the 'pull'. Symptoms and Signs of Blood Clot in Leg Crutches may be needed. Examples include: Regular stretching and strengthening exercises for your sport, fitness or work activity, as part of an overall physical conditioning program, can help to minimize your risk of muscle strains. Prompt treatment is important for your overall recovery. The 3 grades of hamstring injury are: grade 1 - a mild muscle pull or strain. Additional symptoms may include: Stiffness in the neck. Recovery times can be extensive, lasting up to 12 weeks or more. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Available for Android and iOS devices. 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. Muscles strains are caused by tears in the fibers of your muscles. Your healthcare provider will perform a physical exam and review your symptoms. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. If you've had a groin pull, you will be advised to rest and avoid any movements that cause pain. Recovery times can vary based on the severity of the injury and your physical condtion before the injury. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). There are lots of common injuries that cause muscle pain similar to muscle strains, including: Talk to your provider if you experience any sudden, sharp pain in your body, especially if it happens during physical activity like a workout or playing sports. If there is pain, you are overdoing it and need to ease back. You can strain muscles anywhere in your body. Sensations like tingling, cramps, and numbness may also occur. (2009). A calf strain isnt a sprain. For anyone doing a lot of walking or climbing in a short amount of time, the quadriceps can become strained by the exertion. Pain along the front of the thigh or groin is the most typical symptom of a pulled quad. But golfers can pull a hamstring, too. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2018. https://www.clinicalkey.com. When you overuse a muscle, the strands of muscle fiber are stretched beyond their limit and tear apart. After a knee injury, it is common for the damaged area to be stiff and to experience a decrease in your range of motion. You may need imaging exams to determine if there are any partial or complete tears in your calf muscles. The same is true for a strained muscle and a torn muscle. Your doctor may also prescribe stronger pain medications these are only taken temporarily and shouldnt be used more often than as prescribed. Ultrasound often can help distinguish among several different types of soft tissue injuries. Strain. A pulled muscle occurs when you tear or overstretch some of the muscle fibers. Muscles and tendons work together to enable movement. Press the knee of the crossed leg across the body to open up the hip. There may also be a popping sound or snapping sensation. https://www.nata.org/, American Physical Therapy Association If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Heres our process. A burning/stabbing sensation. A pulled calf muscle, or a calf muscle strain, occurs when the muscles in your calf the soleus and gastrocnemius get overstretched. Severe or rapidly worsening pain. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. 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. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Pain and swelling behind the knee can also cause stiffness in your knee joint, inflammation, and possibly, a lump at the back of your knee. Muscle Strains generally hurt and ache too. Allowing yourself enough recovery time is critical to your calf muscle treatment. There are no shortcuts to healing a pulled groin. Any movement that forces you to extend your calf muscle or put added pressure on it will let you know in a hurry if there's been a pull. Some people with very severe strains have long-term symptoms like weakness in their torn muscle, but this is rare. Always consult a medical provider for diagnosis and treatment. Once the cast is off, your healthcare provider will tell you when you can resume light physical activity. Warm up before you participate in high-risk sports. A pulled muscle happens when you overstretch, stress, twist or tear the muscle. Also, in calf muscle injuries, Doppler studies may be done to check for a blood clot. Sprains, strains and other soft-tissue injuries. Chest. But you can have a strained muscle in other areas, including the groin, thigh, feet, ankles, arms and hands. To allow the injured muscle to heal, you may need to wear a brace or cast for a number of weeks. 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. Begin wrapping at the end farthest from your heart. This one of the reasons why a few simple stretches of your quadriceps are good ways to prepare them for a round of golf. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. Elevation. If you have a severe strain (Grade 3), you might need surgery to repair your torn muscle. 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. See a doctor if your symptoms worsen despite treatment especially if your pain becomes intolerable, or you experience numbness or tingling. Accessed April 27, 2018. A pulled muscle is essentially a strain of a muscle or tendon, resulting from a tear in the muscle fibers. Some groin pulls can be severe and cause a muscle to completely rupture. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Make a donation. Unless theyre very severe, you can treat a muscle strain at home with rest, icing and over-the-counter medicine. Check with your provider before resuming any intense activity. Anyone can experience a hip strain just doing everyday tasks, but strains most often . The groin muscles are called the adductor muscles. Proper conditioning is needed to prevent groin strain in athletes. Severe swelling can make any pain and discomfort last a bit longer. Your experience can vary and may involve: 1 . 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. Muscle Tweaks generally hurt and ache. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. Quick pivots, jumps or abrupt stops can cause strains. Be careful not to overstretch them because that is an easy way to pull those muscles before you begin to play. 7,752,060 and 8,719,052. Just because an injury is common doesnt mean your situation isnt unique. Snapping or popping sensation in your calf. Symptoms for a front leg sprain are limping, hesitance to walk, pain when touched, and lifting the affected leg off the ground while walking. DIAGNOSIS The content on Healthgrades does not provide medical advice. People often report the sensation of pain as the feeling of being "stabbed." Stand on your uninjured leg and gently lift your damaged leg to see if your knee feels especially weak or unstable. A grade two strain is when more of your muscle fibres are injured. Walls RM, et al., eds. You should regain all your strength and ability to move your muscle after it heals. Loosen the wrap if the pain increases, the area becomes numb or swelling is occurring below the wrapped area. Once youve pulled a muscle, you have an increased risk of hurting it again in the future. Acute strains can be caused by one event, such as using poor body mechanics to lift something heavy. With a minor tear you may be able to continue activities or sport with minimal restriction. For serious injuries, an MRI can help show possible tissue damage to the muscle. The names of the muscles are adductor brevis, adductor magnus, adductor longus, pectineus, and gracilis. Symptoms and Causes What are muscle strain symptoms? When they contract, they pull our legs inward. Symptoms include: leg pain or discomfort that may feel like a pulled muscle, tightness, cramping or soreness. Hamstring muscles on the back of the thigh. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Simple stretches--not any that tax your flexibility too much, though--will help prepare your muscles for a few hours of exercise. Score: 4.1/5 (42 votes) . 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. Looking for the best CBD gummies? Medically Reviewed By William C. Lloyd III, MD, FACS. Accessed 5/29/2021. This can happen if you overwork the muscle or twist it too hard. But these strains are more common in athletes who perform lots of stop-and-go movements with quick bursts of speed. Stretch one leg out to the side, keeping your other leg under your torso. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/, National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC) The difference between soreness and a pulled muscle. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. When it comes to sports, injuries are an unfortunate part of the game. Comprehensive approach to the evaluation of groin pain. Swelling that wont go away or is getting worse. The pain may feel more like soreness, tenderness or achiness rather than a stabbing kind of pain. 2012 Nov;4(4):253-257. 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. 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