Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsLeg AnatomyInjury SymptomsDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Leg Anatomy
Injury Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Strains or tears of the plantaris muscle at the back of the leg can cause pain and swelling similar to acalf strainor Achilles tendon tear. You may feel immediate pain, cramping, and other symptoms. Activities that involve lunging forward while running or jumping are often to blame for plantaris injuries.
The plantaris muscle and tendon are in a similar location to other muscles of the calf and the Achilles tendon. Thankfully, recovery from a plantaris muscle injury is typically much simpler.
This article explores the anatomy of the back of the leg and the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of plantaris muscle injuries.
Anatomy of the Back of the Leg
Thegastrocnemiusand thesoleusmuscles are the major muscles in the back of the leg. The gastrocnemius has two major portions—the medial and lateral heads of the gastrocnemius—and is closer to the skin. The soleus muscle is located deeper in the leg.
Together, the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles form the Achilles tendon, which blends into a tight tendon in the back of the heel.
The Achilles tendon attaches to the heel bone (thecalcaneus). When the calf muscles contract, they point the foot downward. This motion is important in propelling the body forward when walking, running, and especially when sprinting.
The plantaris muscle is a smaller component of the calf muscles. The plantaris muscle and tendon sit roughly in the center of the calf, between the two heads of the gastrocnemius.
Interestingly, around 7% to 20% of the population is born without plantaris muscles. There can also be variations, such as having a double- or triple-headed plantaris muscle.Not having this muscle or having a variation does not appear to affect mobility in the long or short term.
Symptoms of Plantaris Strains and Tears
Plantaris muscle ruptures, which are the most common plantaris muscle injuries, occur most frequently during running or jumping.They have also been called “tennis leg” as many people who sustain this injury are athletes who are lunging forward, such as a tennis player might do.
Typical symptoms of a plantaris muscle rupture include:
Symptoms of a plantaris muscle strain are less severe with the most common symptoms being discomfort and/or tightness during and after activity.
Diagnosing the Cause of Plantaris Muscle Pain
Confirming the reason behind your pain is essential, in large part to ensure the injury is not a more seriousAchilles tendon tear.
Plantaris muscle tears can be differentiated from an Achilles tendon tear in that the foot can be pointed downward following the plantaris rupture. With an Achilles tear, it cannot.
Plantaris ruptures can also be confused with a blood clot in the large veins of the calf, calleddeep vein thrombosis(DVT), which can be dangerous.
If the diagnosis is unclear, there are tests that can be performed to confirm or exclude the diagnosis of a plantaris rupture. Those most often used are:
Both of these tests can be useful in confirming whether the injury to the plantaris muscle is a strain or tear and looking for other possiblecauses of calf pain.
Treating Plantaris Injuries
Treatment of a plantaris muscle strain or tear is almost always non-surgical. While the injuries can cause pain and disability, the symptoms almost always resolve with simple treatment steps.
R.I.C.E.(rest, ice, compression, elevation) is typically used first and may be all that is needed for a plantaris muscle strain.
Short-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be recommended for a strain or tear to reduce pain and inflammation.Long-term use of NSAIDs is not recommended due to potential side effects.
If the pain is significant or there is a tear, patients may require a brief time of immobilization or crutch use to allow the pain to subside.
Gradual increases in mobility and strength can be obtained with the assistance of an athletic trainer or physical therapist.
With conservative treatment, symptoms will gradually resolve over the course of several weeks. Full recovery may take up to eight weeks depending on the severity of the injury.
When a Calf Strain Is Something More Serious
Summary
Running along with the other muscles of the calf, the plantaris muscle and tendon are in a similar location to the muscles of the calf and Achilles tendon.
Plantaris ruptures occur most often during a lunging motion while running or jumping. Plantaris injuries can have similar symptoms to Achilles tendon tears, but recovery is much quicker.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Olewnik Ł, Zielinska N, Karauda P, Tubbs RS, Polguj M.A three-headed plantaris muscle: evidence that the plantaris is not a vestigial muscle?Surg Radiol Anat. 2020;42(10):1189-1193. doi:10.1007/s00276-020-02478-8Spang C, Alfredson H, Docking SI, Masci L, Andersson G.The plantaris tendon: a narrative review focusing on anatomical features and clinical importance.The Bone & Joint Journal. 2016;98-B(10):1312-1319. doi:10.1302/0301-620X.98B10.37939Rohilla S, et al.Plantaris rupture: why is it important?BMJ Case Rep. 2013 Jan 22;2013 doi:10.1136/bcr-2012-007840Morelli KM, Brown LB, Warren GL.Effect of NSAIDs on Recovery From Acute Skeletal Muscle Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.Am J Sports Med. 2018;46(1):224-233. doi:10.1177/0363546517697957
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Olewnik Ł, Zielinska N, Karauda P, Tubbs RS, Polguj M.A three-headed plantaris muscle: evidence that the plantaris is not a vestigial muscle?Surg Radiol Anat. 2020;42(10):1189-1193. doi:10.1007/s00276-020-02478-8Spang C, Alfredson H, Docking SI, Masci L, Andersson G.The plantaris tendon: a narrative review focusing on anatomical features and clinical importance.The Bone & Joint Journal. 2016;98-B(10):1312-1319. doi:10.1302/0301-620X.98B10.37939Rohilla S, et al.Plantaris rupture: why is it important?BMJ Case Rep. 2013 Jan 22;2013 doi:10.1136/bcr-2012-007840Morelli KM, Brown LB, Warren GL.Effect of NSAIDs on Recovery From Acute Skeletal Muscle Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.Am J Sports Med. 2018;46(1):224-233. doi:10.1177/0363546517697957
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Olewnik Ł, Zielinska N, Karauda P, Tubbs RS, Polguj M.A three-headed plantaris muscle: evidence that the plantaris is not a vestigial muscle?Surg Radiol Anat. 2020;42(10):1189-1193. doi:10.1007/s00276-020-02478-8Spang C, Alfredson H, Docking SI, Masci L, Andersson G.The plantaris tendon: a narrative review focusing on anatomical features and clinical importance.The Bone & Joint Journal. 2016;98-B(10):1312-1319. doi:10.1302/0301-620X.98B10.37939Rohilla S, et al.Plantaris rupture: why is it important?BMJ Case Rep. 2013 Jan 22;2013 doi:10.1136/bcr-2012-007840Morelli KM, Brown LB, Warren GL.Effect of NSAIDs on Recovery From Acute Skeletal Muscle Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.Am J Sports Med. 2018;46(1):224-233. doi:10.1177/0363546517697957
Olewnik Ł, Zielinska N, Karauda P, Tubbs RS, Polguj M.A three-headed plantaris muscle: evidence that the plantaris is not a vestigial muscle?Surg Radiol Anat. 2020;42(10):1189-1193. doi:10.1007/s00276-020-02478-8
Spang C, Alfredson H, Docking SI, Masci L, Andersson G.The plantaris tendon: a narrative review focusing on anatomical features and clinical importance.The Bone & Joint Journal. 2016;98-B(10):1312-1319. doi:10.1302/0301-620X.98B10.37939
Rohilla S, et al.Plantaris rupture: why is it important?BMJ Case Rep. 2013 Jan 22;2013 doi:10.1136/bcr-2012-007840
Morelli KM, Brown LB, Warren GL.Effect of NSAIDs on Recovery From Acute Skeletal Muscle Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.Am J Sports Med. 2018;46(1):224-233. doi:10.1177/0363546517697957
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