The severity will also affect how long it takes to heal. Localized to musculotendinous junction. 2009;2(2):74-77. doi:10.1007/s12178-009-9045-8. It attaches externally above the knee and travels down the calf posteriorly and inserts into the heel bone. Findings include: 1. high T2 signal fluid deep to medial gastrocnemius and superficial to the soleus 2. a focal area of disruption of m… Stuart Hershman, MD, is a board-certified spine surgeon. The pain of a calf strain is often described as a sudden sharp or tearing sensation. Tennis leg is a condition where there the plantaris muscle and/or the medial head of the gastrocnemius (calf muscle) is torn or ruptured. A torn gastrocnemius muscle is a severe injury to the back of the calf area of the leg. An injury to this muscle is sometimes called “tennis leg.”. A tear in the deep surface of gastrocnemius may be seen as a disruption in contour and echogenicity of muscle fibers. This injury can happen if you make a sudden quick movement that overstretches the muscle. Is Your Calf Muscle Pain Just a Strain or Something Else? Elevation. We comply with applicable Federal civil rights laws and Minnesota laws. Middle-aged athletes with tight calf muscles taking part in physical activity are commonly affected by this injury; however, 1975;4(5996):552–554. This type of injury is caused when one of the two muscles in the calf is overstretched or forced to contract too quickly. An excessive strain can tear this tissue so that any strength imparted by cohesion of the muscle fibers is lost. These muscles stretch from the calf down to the Achilles tendon … Bright JM, Fields KB, Draper R. Ultrasound diagnosis of calf injuries. It also helps you do quick movements, such as jumping and sprinting. The injury occurs at this junction between the muscle and tendon. You can repeat the process... Heat pads. It extends from the base of the femur (thigh bone) behind the knee, to the calcaneus (heel bone). INJURY . Pectineus Muscle Everything You Need to Know, The Plantaris Muscle Could Be the Source of Your Calf Pain, What You Should Know About Hamstring Muscle Strains, What to Do If You Get Injured Playing Sports, The Brachialis Muscle: Anatomy, Function, Rehab, Overview of Hip Flexor Muscles and Injuries, Soleus Muscle: Anatomy, Function, and Treatment, Stretches to Ease and Prevent Shin Splints, This Unusual Type of Ankle Fracture Always Requires Surgery, Value of Doppler ultrasound in diagnosis of clinically suspected deep vein thrombosis, Cyriax friction massage-suggestions for improvements, Gastrocnemius vs. soleus strain: how to differentiate and deal with calf muscle injuries, Diagnosis and rehabilitation of gastrocnemius muscle tear: A case report, Pain in the back of the leg (more on the inner side), May hear an audible pop at the moment of the injury. SUMMARY This case demonstrates the importance of epidemiology, clinical assessment, and the use of diagnostic ultrasound and MRI imaging in the diagnosis of a tear of the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle. Updated December 16, 2019. Such movements include jumping or quickly changing direction. Gastrocnemius tendonitis is inflammation of the gastrocnemius tendon. Gastrocnemius, which is the big . Usually this injury occurs during a sports or exercise activity when pushing off suddenly during a sprint or jump. At 9-month follow-up post injury, there was no residual impairment in the gastrocnemius muscle function. The mechanism of injury is frequently an explosive contraction of the calf often whilst in a position of stretch such as during a quick take off. The most common type of calf strain is a tear to the medial (inside) part of the gastrocnemius muscle. Pathophysiology. You may need to wear one of these to decrease swelling and help prevent blood clots in your injured leg. If any of these muscles are not properly warmed up and any strenuous activity is done in such a state, then it can lead to torn muscles. Medial Gastrocnemius Strain Overview and Treatment, Ⓒ 2020 About, Inc. (Dotdash) — All rights reserved, Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Ice. They are the soleus and gastrocnemius. Nsitem V. Diagnosis and rehabilitation of gastrocnemius muscle tear: A case report. A torn gastrocnemius muscle can lead to severe localized swelling that is accompanied by leg pain and possible muscle spasms or cramps. They usually occur in moderately active individuals around the age of forty while performing actions that put maximal tension on the calf (gastrocnemius) muscle. Either of these two muscles can be strained (torn). It also helps you do quick movements, such as jumping and sprinting. Exercising too much or not warming up properly can weaken the gastrocnemius muscle. Compression sleeve. A muscle strain is an injury to a muscle or a tendon — the fibrous tissue that connects muscles to bones. Proximal partial gastrocnemius-soleus muscle tear. They unite to form the Achilles tendon to attach to the heel. What Is Causing Your Achilles Tendon Pain? Putting ice on the injured area may ease swelling. Time of injury and do a physical examination, PA 19067 a sign a... Located behind the knee, the muscle in the gastrocnemius muscle tear of the leg this... This information is not intended as a severe form of strain in the 30-50-year-old age range, these injuries be! Provider may fit you with one of these devices to help you regain and. Is stretched too far, which causes tears to occur within the muscle tear fibers disengage and separate.! And rehabilitation of gastrocnemius muscle tear is a common injury that is accompanied by leg and... Affect how long it takes to heal there are physical tears in the muscle... 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