There are three basic muscles that make up the hamstring in the back of the thigh. The symptoms of a pulled muscle are fairly classic of a soft tissue injury. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit organization. the affected area feeling warm to the touch. A physical therapist can help you to maximize stability and strength of the injured joint or limb. You can strain muscles anywhere in your body. Score: 4.1/5 (42 votes) . Early symptoms of deep vein thrombosis include swelling and tightness in the leg. Keeping your calf muscles strong and conditioned. It also outlines some simple stretches that can help prevent groin injury. rest, ice, compression, and; elevation. Seek immediate medical care if you sustain a traumatic arm injury or if you experience any warning signs and symptoms, including: Arm or hand numbness or tingling. 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. You may need imaging exams to determine if there are any partial or complete tears in your calf muscles. They may even have you do mild stretches while they look at your calf muscle to see if its pulled. This occurs when your calf muscle protrudes underneath your skin, creating a visible bump. Talk to your healthcare provider right away if youre experiencing severe symptoms like intense pain. Your dog might whimper in pain when you touch the tender area; this is a sign that something is wrong. Veterinarians can use thermography to aid in diagnosis, along with palpation, ultrasound . There may also be a popping sound or snapping sensation. Hold for 10 to 20 seconds, gradually increasing the time as your flexibility builds. If you have a physically demanding occupation, regular conditioning can help prevent injuries. This article describes the symptoms of pulled groin muscle as well as the diagnosis, treatment, and recovery times. Always consult a medical provider for diagnosis and treatment. Muscles and tendons work together to enable movement. Calf. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Your doctor may also recommend therapeutic exercises to treat your pain and restore range of motion. With rest and proper treatment, most groin pulls will heal on their own within four to six weeks. A hamstring injury is a strain or tear to the tendons or large muscles at the back of the thigh. Unfortunately, the main causes of rectus femoris strain are fairly common. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. You may feel pain or a pulling sensation when you come up from a squat or when you stand up after sitting. 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. Compression is especially important to try to minimize swelling and bleeding into the muscle. You can still walk with a mild strain, but it may be uncomfortable. Physical therapy is almost invariably a part of the treatment plan. Your experience can vary and may involve: 1 . If you've had a groin pull, you will be advised to rest and avoid any movements that cause pain. All Rights Reserved. Depending on how severe your original muscle strain is, you should feel better in a few weeks. Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. Muscle Strains in the Thigh. 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. A mild to moderate pulled muscle usually responds to home treatment. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Compress the muscle with an elastic bandage. 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. He earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. For anyone doing a lot of walking or climbing in a short amount of time, the quadriceps can become strained by the exertion. A pulled groin muscle is usually self-apparent. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. doi:10.5812/traumamon.12666, Serner A, Weir A, Tol JL, et al. Hamstring injury. These tests can also rule out other conditions that cause lower leg pain, such as Achilles tendon ruptures or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). What types of home treatments have you tried? Safran MR, et al. Regular stretching can help relieve calf pain and prevent these muscles from becoming tight. 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. Symptoms include: leg pain or discomfort that may feel like a pulled muscle, tightness, cramping or soreness. Last updated on Oct 10, 2022. The outlook depends on the location and severity of the muscle strain. Most people can recover by resting their muscle and using at-home treatments like ice and over-the-counter medicine. You may feel a pop, usually at the back of the thigh, when the muscle tears. The more flexible you are, the more room your muscle fibers have to stretch before they begin to tear. How long your strain lasts depends on which muscle you injured and how badly it was strained. By Jonathan Cluett, MD Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. About 30 percent of people with muscle injuries end up having repeated injuries. With a minor tear you may be able to continue activities or sport with minimal restriction. While a groin pull may seem obvious, there are certain conditions that can mimic it and require different treatments. When a strain occurs, muscle fibers are torn to some degree. Mild muscle strain can cause pain that feels similar to post-workout soreness. 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 The symptoms of a pulled muscle vary, depending on the exact situation, the specific person, and the extent of the 'pull'. As pain gradually subsides, your doctor may recommend a rehabilitation program to restore the normal range of motion in your leg and to gradually strengthen the injured muscle. Symptoms of a pulled calf muscle can depend on the severity of the injury. Some groin pulls can be severe and cause a muscle to completely rupture. A grade three muscle strain is a full tear of your muscle (all the way through it). Overcompensation is overworking and straining the muscle. Along with your doctors treatment plan, some Looking for the best CBD gummies? This is a common injury, especially among athletes and runners. You will probably notice pain and swelling,. Feel the stretch along your inner thigh. Anyone can experience a hip strain just doing everyday tasks, but strains most often . Alessandrino F, et al. 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. 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. 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 group of six muscles is connected to each other via the thigh bone and pelvis. Your outstretched leg should have a straight knee, and you should feel the stretch on the inner thigh. But a full recovery may take up to six weeks, according to Oxford University Hospitals. What is the fastest way to heal a pulled groin muscle? After a knee injury, it is common for the damaged area to be stiff and to experience a decrease in your range of motion. Recovery times can vary based on the severity of the injury and your physical condtion before the injury. A pulled calf muscle happens when you overstretch the muscles in the back of your lower leg. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier Saunders; 2012. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information. 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 Calf muscle strains usually occur when someone suddenly moves or overstretches their calf after standing still. A groin pull can be quite painful, interfering with your ability to walk, navigate stairs, or even drive a car. Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information. A burning/stabbing sensation. William C. Lloyd III, MD, FACS. Accessed April 27, 2018. Over-the-counter pain medications like Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen) are commonly prescribed. Symptoms include: leg pain or discomfort that may feel like a pulled muscle, tightness, cramping or soreness. 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. Here are the five symptoms you shouldn't ignore. Read our. 11 Things Your Orthopedic Specialist Wants You to Know. Muscles located in the Back of the thigh are the Hamstring muscles. Accessed April 27, 2018. Aneurysmal Bone Cysts: Causes, Treatment, Outlook, and More, Boxers Fracture: Symptoms and Treatments for a Broken 5th Metacarpal Bone, 7 Symptoms Never to Ignore If You Have Depression. These include: The treatment of a pulled groin muscle is typically conservative and includes rest, ice application, and gentle stretching when appropriate. In the meantime, you can use the following home treatments: If your symptoms dont improve within a few days, you might have a more serious calf injury. Back. Most of the time, these strains involve small tears to the muscles and can usually be treated with rest, gentle stretching, and over-the-counter pain medications. 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). A knot-like feeling. Mild injuries usually improve with rest, ice, compression and elevation. A muscle strain, or pulled muscle, occurs when your muscle is overstretched or torn. Muscles strains and hernias can both be caused by overuse, but theyre different injuries. She completed Pharmacy Practice Residency training at the University of Pittsburgh/VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System. Your muscles are made of thousands of small fibers woven together. 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. Sit with your feet together and knees bent. And your physical condtion before the injury muscles in the back of the injury, according Oxford. Non-Cleveland Clinic products or services happens when you overstretch the muscles in the back of the.. Part of the thigh or the hamstring muscles on the severity of injured. Injury and your physical condtion before the injury and your physical condtion before the injury elevation! 20 seconds, gradually increasing the time as your flexibility builds range motion! Symptoms include: leg pain or a pulling sensation when you stand up after sitting, some Looking the! 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