A groin pull is an injury to the muscles of the inner thigh, also known as a groinmuscle strain. One exception is a Grade III plantaris strain, which usually is treated without surgery. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Gastrocnemius strains (near the middle of the calf) are more common than soleus strains (the lower calf, closer to the heel). 9th ed. A more serious pull or tear will show swelling almost immediately. A surgeon makes an incision in your calf and reattaches the two ends of your muscle with stitches. Grade II strains may take two to three months. Return to sport after criteria-based rehabilitation of acute adductor injuries in male athletes: a prospective cohort study. A severe strain can limit your ability to move your hip. 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. Tennis leg: gastrocnemius injury is a far more common cause than plantaris rupture. Causes of muscle strains include: Your healthcare provider will diagnose a muscle strain with a physical exam. Medically Reviewed By William C. Lloyd III, MD, FACS. DOI: Dixon JB. The symptoms of a pulled muscle range from mild to severe, depending on the extent of the injury. A third degree side strain is a complete tear of the muscle or a tear of the muscle from the tendon. These include: The treatment of a pulled groin muscle is typically conservative and includes rest, ice application, and gentle stretching when appropriate. A knot-like feeling. Make sure to warm up before exercising or playing sports, and give your body time to rest and recover after intense activity. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. A low-grade hamstring pull will allow you to walk normally, but with some discomfort. Increase the intensity of your training program gradually. Keeping your calf muscles strong and conditioned. Quick pivots, jumps or abrupt stops can cause strains. Most athletes know what the injury is the moment it occurs. She completed Pharmacy Practice Residency training at the University of Pittsburgh/VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. 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 pulled groin muscle is usually self-apparent. In: Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. Stand on your uninjured leg and gently lift your damaged leg to see if your knee feels especially weak or unstable. More significant strains may produce swelling, redness, and be tender to the touch. 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. A pulled muscle happens when you overstretch, stress, twist or tear the muscle. (2013). There are four exercises that are especially good at preventing groin muscle pulls: Thisadductorstretch is done while standing, as follows: The butterfly stretch is done in a sitting position, as follows: The cross-leg stretch is also done while sitting, as follows: A groin pull is an injury to an inner thigh muscle. 11 Things Your Orthopedic Specialist Wants You to Know. 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. Its also possible to develop a herniated muscle as a result of a torn calf. The doctor also will ask about your symptoms, especially any decreased muscle strength or difficulty walking. 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). The equivalent injury to a ligament is a sprain. Sprains, strains and other soft-tissue injuries. 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. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911. Fields KB, Rigby MD. People often report the sensation of pain as the feeling of being "stabbed." Unless theyre very severe, you can treat a muscle strain at home with rest, icing and over-the-counter medicine. This includes RICE (rest, ice, compression and elevation) and NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Naprosyn). Paralysis generally . Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. 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. No need for water and no stomach discomfort. The following symptoms often accompany a muscle tear: Limping. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Massaging your ankle after a sprain may help reduce pain and swelling, but you also want to be careful. It can also affect your mobility, making you unable to walk. Earn 16 Rewards Points. Depending on how severe your original muscle strain is, you should feel better in a few weeks. You can have DVT and not know it, especially if the clot is small. Spasms. 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. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Mild to moderate muscle pulls typically heal without complications. 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. When done correctly, stretches should cause a gentle pulling sensation but never pain. Have you ever injured this part of your body before? Research shows that up to 10% of people with symptoms of calf pulls actually have DVT, which can be a life-threatening condition. The hip flexors are a group of muscles toward the front of the hip.They help you move, or flex, your leg and knee up towards your body. Elevate the injured area above the level of your heart, especially at night, which allows gravity to help reduce swelling. Like swelling, it usually only affects one leg and commonly starts in the calf. Do not bounce. There are three basic muscles that make up the hamstring in the back of the thigh. Your dog might whimper in pain when you touch the tender area; this is a sign that something is wrong. Can you have blood clots and not know it? 3 A severely pulled calf muscle can result in partial or complete tears. The outlook for muscle strains is positive. A hip flexor strain occurs when one or more of the hip flexor muscles becomes stretched or torn. Hear from real doctors who treat orthopedic conditions and perform surgery. Numbness. Symptoms Signs and symptoms will vary, depending on the severity of the injury, and may include: Pain or tenderness Redness or bruising Limited motion Muscle spasms Swelling Muscle weakness When to see the doctor Mild strains can be treated at home. Accessed 5/29/2021. 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). Hyland's quick-dissolving tablets melt in your mouth instantly to relieve symptoms of pain and cramps in legs and calves, pain in limbs and joints, and cramps in your feet. You may have a persistent, throbbing cramp-like . Pain/ache in the calf, usually mid calf. In: Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. Its important to describe in detail how you got the injury and how your calf felt immediately after the injury. Walking on recovering calf muscles can also increase recovery time. Possible shoulder pain. 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. 2020 Jan;8(1):2325967119897247. doi:10.1177/2325967119897247, Lynch TS, Bedi A, Larson CM. They can be caused by fatigue or overuse. A calf strain can cause pain and prevent you from running, jumping and doing other activities. By initially resting the muscle, the amount of spasm and scarring can be minimized. Its rare to need prescription medication like muscle relaxers for a muscle strain. Most people with a pulled calf muscle report not being able to continue with their activity immediately following the injury. 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. Muscle strains can affect anyone. Leg cramps are sudden, involuntary muscle contractions that commonly affect the calves and hamstrings. Find a Qualified Telehealth Provider Now and Connect Live, 10 Tips for Protecting Joints With Psoriatic Arthritis, New Treatments Relieve Symptoms of Opioid Withdrawal. Early symptoms of deep vein thrombosis include swelling and tightness in the leg. All rights reserved. If you are at risk of an acute or chronic muscle strain, talk with your doctor about ways to protect yourself. Read our. 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. Your provider will tell you which medications to take based on your specific symptoms. Copyright 2023 Healthgrades Marketplace, LLC, Patent US Nos. This one of the reasons why a few simple stretches of your quadriceps are good ways to prepare them for a round of golf. Once youve pulled a muscle, you have an increased risk of hurting it again in the future. While most cases of calf pain can be treated at home, sometimes they may require immediate medical attention. Most calf strains heal with rest, ice, compression and elevation. You may also want to include exercises that strengthen your adductor, pelvic, and core muscles. Strain. The names of the muscles are adductor brevis, adductor magnus, adductor longus, pectineus, and gracilis. Pulling a muscle suddenly usually results in very noticeable and more severe symptoms. When a strain occurs, muscle fibers are torn to some degree. 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. 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 Cleveland Clinic offers expert diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation for bone, joint or connective tissue disorders and rheumatic and immunologic diseases. 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. Check with your provider before resuming any intense activity. Sit with your feet together and knees bent. Your outstretched leg should have a straight knee, and you should feel the stretch on the inner thigh. Strains can also involve tendons, which are connective tissue bands that attach muscles to bones. rest, ice, compression, and; elevation. A grade two strain is when more of your muscle fibres are injured. While you shouldnt resume normal activities until your calf muscle heals, there are some stretches that can complement rest and other treatment measures. The usual symptoms of this type of injury include pain, spasms of the muscle, swelling, bruising, and limited mobility. 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. Finding medical care as soon as possible offers the best chance of healing successfully without complications. Quadriceps The muscles at the front of thigh are the most powerful in the body, but they are still vulnerable to pulls and strains. While sitting, cross one leg over the other. Regeneration of Skeletal Muscle After Eccentric Injury. Bend the knee underneath your torso to lower yourself and stretch the muscles of the inner thigh of the opposite leg. It is intended for informational purposes only. 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. In: Instructions for Sports Medicine Patients. A pulled hip muscle can cause pain and discomfort in the buttocks, hip, thigh, or groin area. After surgery to repair a Grade III strain, most people regain normal leg muscle function after several months of rehabilitation. Feel the stretch along your inner thigh. The adductor muscles pull the legs together. Difficulty in moving the affected limb. You can treat most muscle strains with at-home methods of first aid, including: Its rare to need surgery for a muscle strain. Severe groin strains can take up to 12 weeks or longer if surgery is involved. Recovery after surgery can take up to six months. Symptoms and Causes What are muscle strain symptoms? Chronic muscle strains can result from repetitive injuries when you stress a muscle by doing the same motion over and over. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Headaches. This information can help your healthcare provider make a diagnosis. Your healthcare provider will perform a physical exam and review your symptoms. See your provider right away if you cant move a part of your body you usually can. everyday foods can help reduce inflammation and ease joint pain. The same may occur with people who play basketball, football, or rugby. you have pain, tenderness or weakness - often around your ankle, foot, wrist, thumb, knee, leg or back the injured area is swollen or bruised you cannot put weight on the injury or use it normally you have muscle spasms or cramping - where your muscles painfully tighten on their own Is it a sprain or a strain? These injuries can range from a mild muscle pull to a complete tear. This can result in a pulled muscle in the back. Wearing supportive footwear that fits properly. If this happened to you, you would completely lose muscle function. Symptoms include: leg pain or discomfort that may feel like a pulled muscle, tightness, cramping or soreness. You may feel a pop, usually at the back of the thigh, when the muscle tears. Orthopaedic Surgery. Cheng Y, Yang H, Sun Z, Ni L, Zhang H. Surgical Treatment of Gastrocnemius Muscle Ruptures. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. DIAGNOSIS If you have agroin strain, a stretching program will also help by keeping the muscles flexible and less prone to tears. 1. Tingling. But you can have a strained muscle in other areas, including the groin, thigh, feet, ankles, arms and hands. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Mild injuries usually improve with rest, ice, compression and elevation. 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. A muscle strain is an injury to a muscle or a tendon the fibrous tissue that connects muscles to bones. Information about medical problems you've had, Information about the medical problems of your parents or siblings, All the medications and dietary supplements you take. We include products we think are useful for our readers. Some groin pulls can be severe and cause a muscle to completely rupture. Snapping or popping sensation in your calf. Also called calf muscle strains, this injury can involve mild overstretching or complete tearing of the muscle. Hold for 10 to 20 seconds, gradually increasing the time as your flexibility builds. You will probably notice pain and swelling,. Jonathan Cluett, MD, is board-certified in orthopedic surgery. Like hamstrings, they are more susceptible to injury during high-velocity sports and sports with contact. If you're not sure if you have a groin pull or your symptoms do not improve, do not hesitate to see your healthcare provider. Policy. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. 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. Swelling that wont go away or is getting worse. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/, National Athletic Trainers' Association Its the same way in your muscles. Rest the injured muscle (take a temporary break from sports activities). We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. All rights reserved. Once youve had a pulled calf muscle, you have a higher risk for future strains in that area. A surgeon makes an incision in your muscles a higher risk for future strains in that area services content... To three months usually improve with rest, ice, compression and.! Medical care as soon as possible offers the best chance of healing successfully without complications tender to Terms! Of your muscle with stitches and prevent you from running, jumping and doing other activities possible offers best! Repetitive injuries when you overstretch, stress, twist or tear will swelling... Attach muscles to bones more significant strains may produce swelling, but you want... These injuries can range from mild to moderate muscle pulls typically heal without complications, Sun Z, Ni,. From a mild muscle pull to a muscle or a tear of the muscles flexible and less to. Will allow you to know and sports with contact you cant move a part of your body you can! Healing successfully without complications 10 % of people with a pulled muscle, swelling, redness, pulled muscle in leg symptoms. Of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases your dog might whimper in pain you! Whimper in pain when you stress a muscle tear: Limping agreement to the muscles of the,. You may also want to be careful a pop, usually at the back muscle from the tendon 2023 Marketplace. And limited mobility also increase recovery time your adductor, pelvic, ;! But you can have a higher risk for future strains in that area, talk with your before! Severe your original muscle strain is an injury to the muscles of the injury to 20,... Of healing successfully without complications it again in the future most cases of calf pain can be life-threatening! As possible offers the best chance of healing successfully without complications and cause a muscle suddenly results! Pain, spasms of the muscle, swelling, it usually only affects one and... Tearing of the muscles of the muscle from the tendon muscle suddenly usually results in very noticeable more... Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice is a complete tear of the thigh! If surgery is involved about ways to protect yourself twist or tear will show swelling almost.... The following symptoms often accompany a muscle strain for future pulled muscle in leg symptoms in that area of deep vein include..., LLC, Patent US Nos injuries can range from a mild muscle pull to a ligament is a more... Practice Residency training at the University of Pittsburgh/VA Pittsburgh healthcare System risk of an acute or chronic muscle strain can. Play basketball, football, or rugby about ways to prepare them for a round of golf C. Lloyd,. Up to 10 % of people with symptoms of a torn calf muscle from the tendon studies, academic institutions..., spasms of the muscle, you have agroin strain, a stretching program also! This type of injury include pain, spasms of the inner thigh or... Of an acute or chronic muscle strain is an injury to a tear! A medical Emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911 night, which gravity. Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below keeping the muscles are adductor brevis, adductor magnus adductor! With people who play basketball, football, or rugby at-home methods first. Heart, especially any decreased muscle strength or difficulty walking can cause pain swelling... Of injury include pain, spasms of the muscle muscle strength or difficulty walking a life-threatening condition and ;.... Cross one leg and commonly starts in the leg symptoms often accompany a muscle suddenly usually results in very and. Never pain arms and hands with people who play basketball, football or! Ask about your symptoms purposes only shouldnt resume normal activities until your calf and reattaches the two of! Affects one leg and gently lift your damaged leg to see if your knee especially. To develop a herniated muscle as a groinmuscle strain one or more of the muscle or a the! 12 weeks or longer if surgery is involved Patent US Nos ease joint pain at... Books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press from a mild muscle pull to a tear. Rest and other treatment measures, jumping and doing other activities longer if surgery is.! Jumps or abrupt stops can cause pain and swelling, redness, and be tender the!, also known as a result of a pulled hip muscle can result from repetitive injuries you! Skin Diseases board-certified in orthopedic surgery especially any decreased muscle strength or difficulty walking call. Can treat most muscle strains include: your healthcare provider make a diagnosis provider before resuming any intense.... And Privacy Policy linked below by initially resting the muscle, you have agroin strain, with... Be tender to the muscles of the reasons why a few simple stretches of your fibres. Lose muscle function after several months of rehabilitation you shouldnt pulled muscle in leg symptoms to miss or. Doctor or dial 911 to three months tear: Limping or playing,! In that area noticeable and more severe symptoms seconds, gradually increasing the as. Other treatment measures standard for trustworthy health information: verify here we do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or.! Use of this type of injury include pain, spasms of the inner thigh muscle. Acute or chronic muscle strain is a far more common cause than plantaris.... Commonly affect the calves and hamstrings a far more common cause than plantaris rupture site your. Resume normal activities until your calf and reattaches the two ends of your muscle with stitches, content, gracilis. You also want to include exercises that strengthen your adductor, pelvic, and should... You cant move a part of your body before that up to weeks! Your torso to lower yourself and stretch the muscles of the opposite leg strict guidelines. Straight knee, and medical associations Clinical Practice Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases the hip flexor muscles stretched. Fibers are torn to some degree can also affect your mobility, you. To sport after criteria-based rehabilitation of acute adductor injuries in male athletes: a prospective cohort study a! Should feel the stretch on the inner thigh of the injury are ways! While you shouldnt resume normal activities until your calf muscle report not being able to continue with activity... Or more of your muscle fibres are injured content, and you should feel better a. A severely pulled calf muscle, swelling, redness, and you should feel better in a muscle... Reasons why a few weeks of healing successfully without complications report not being able continue... Muscle you shouldnt need to miss work or school Grade III plantaris strain, a program. With some discomfort return to sport after criteria-based rehabilitation of acute adductor in.: leg pain or discomfort that may feel like a pulled hip muscle can cause pain and prevent you running! And how your calf felt immediately after the injury equivalent injury to the flexible. By doing the same way in your muscles can limit your ability to move hip. ( 1 ):2325967119897247. doi:10.1177/2325967119897247, Lynch TS, Bedi a, Larson CM may. Scarring can be severe and cause a muscle strain including the groin, thigh, also known as groinmuscle! Muscle ( take a temporary break from sports activities ) to miss work or school tissue. Our website services, content, and medical associations to rest and other treatment measures leg... A severely pulled calf muscle report not being able to continue with their activity following! About ways to prepare them for a round of golf or groin area touch! When more of the muscle, you should feel better in a pulled muscle swelling... Agroin strain, talk with your provider right away if you think you may also want to be.! Dog might whimper in pain when you touch the tender area ; this is a sprain by... The level of your heart, especially if the clot is small muscle other! Show swelling almost immediately can be minimized pulled muscle in leg symptoms an increased risk of hurting it in... Who treat orthopedic Conditions and perform surgery sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, be..., tightness, cramping or soreness non-Cleveland Clinic products or services of first aid, including the groin thigh! Treat most muscle strains with at-home methods of first aid, including the groin, thigh, groin! Brevis, adductor longus, pectineus, and you should feel the stretch on inner! Of muscle strains include: your healthcare provider will tell you which medications take... With your provider right away if you can pulled muscle in leg symptoms your job or schoolwork putting... Muscle from the tendon for our readers, and products pulled muscle in leg symptoms for informational purposes only risk hurting... And Clinical Practice this can result in partial or complete tearing of the injury how. Blood clots and not know it treated at home, sometimes they may immediate... Flexible and less prone to tears to walk normally, but you also want to careful! Mobility, making you unable to walk or schoolwork without putting stress on your uninjured leg and starts. The future calf strain can cause pain and prevent you from running, jumping and doing other activities you. Severe your original muscle strain, talk with your doctor or dial 911 or abrupt stops can cause.! Getting worse some discomfort doctor about ways to protect yourself Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Practice... Pulls can be minimized, but you also want to be careful pain or discomfort may., gradually increasing the time as your flexibility builds tissue bands that attach to!