Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhere Is the Medial Gastrocnemius?SymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Where Is the Medial Gastrocnemius?
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
A medialgastrocnemiusstrain (MGS) is a specific type of injury to the calf muscle in the back of the leg. Thestrainoccurs when the musclestretchestoo far, tearing the tendon and muscle portion of the calf.
The strain is commonly known as “tennis leg” because it’s so common among tennis players. Generally, it doesn’t require surgery, but it hurts. In fact, people who experience it often say it feels as though they’ve been kicked hard or shot in the leg.So as you might guess, it takes a while to recover from the strain—at least a month.
This article explains the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of a medial gastrocnemius strain.
Verywell / Laura Porter
The calf consists of three major muscles: themedial and lateral gastrocnemiusand thesoleus muscles.They unite to form the Achilles tendon to attach to the heel. The most commonly injured muscle when acalf strainoccurs is an injury to the medial gastrocnemius muscle.
It is important to determine whether the gastrocnemius or the soleus is injured in order to give the appropriate treatment and prevent a recurrence.
Medial Gastrocnemius Strain Symptoms
The symptoms of a medial gastrocnemius strain can include:
The symptoms of a calf muscle strain depends on the severity of the injury. For example, a minor injury might result in tightness in the calf. A serious injury could trigger severe pain or difficulty extending the lower leg.
Calf Strain or Tear and Other Causes of Calf Pain
What Causes a Medial Gastrocnemius Strain?
Sudden changes in direction when running can overstretch the muscle and lead to a tear, especially in the position where you are flexing the ankle and extending the knee at the same time. Injuries can also happen in everyday life in physically demanding activities. To help you visualize the possibilities, you could strain your calf muscle if you:
How Is a Medial Gastrocnemius Strain Diagnosed?
Your healthcare provider will listen to your report of the injury and do a physical examination. A diagnostic ultrasound is the best way to confirm a gastrocnemius tear and grade the injury.
Other diagnostic tools can help, too. For example, if adeep venous thrombosis(a blood clot in the veins) is suspected, a Doppler ultrasound may be done.Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) is another option.
Grades Explained
How Is a Medial Gastrocnemius Strain Treated?
Treatment of a medial gastrocnemius strain can usually be accomplished with simple steps. Initially, patients follow the “RICE” regimen:
It’s best not to use heat or massage in the first phase of therapy as the tactics might increase the risk of hemorrhage. Once this early treatment phase is over, patients begin therapeutic activities and gentle stretching exercises tailored to their specific injury.
The typical recovery time from a medial gastrocnemius strain is between four and six weeks. You must be able to walk without pain before your doctor will give you the all-clear to return to exercise and sports.
Do Calf Splints Help Treat Medial Gastrocnemius Strain?In some cases, calf splints or casts may help treat medial gastrocnemius strain. Specifically, a certain type of splint known as a short leg cast can assist in movement and weight-bearing of the leg alongside crutches. Depending on injury severity, a splint may not be necessary.
Do Calf Splints Help Treat Medial Gastrocnemius Strain?
In some cases, calf splints or casts may help treat medial gastrocnemius strain. Specifically, a certain type of splint known as a short leg cast can assist in movement and weight-bearing of the leg alongside crutches. Depending on injury severity, a splint may not be necessary.
Summary
A medial gastrocnemius strain leaves little doubt that something serious has happened. A sudden, lurching or pulling movement can cause sharp pain, swelling, bruising, or weakness in the lower leg. The strain is often referred to as “tennis leg,” though it can happen while playing other sports or undertaking physical activities, especially running. You might even hear a popping or snapping sound at the moment the tear occurs. The strain is graded on a scale of 1 to 3 (with 3 being the worst), and a therapy treatment plan is designed accordingly.
6 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.U.S. Center for Sports Medicine.What is Tennis Leg and How Do You Treat It?Hsu D, Chang KV.Gastrocnemius strain. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022.Bright JM, Fields KB, Draper R.Ultrasound diagnosis of calf injuries.Sports Health. 2017;9(4):352-355. doi:10.1177/1941738117696019Meadway J, Nicolaides AN, Walker CJ, O’Connell JD.Value of Doppler ultrasound in diagnosis of clinically suspected deep vein thrombosis.Br Med J. 1975;4(5996):552–554. doi:10.1136/bmj.4.5996.552.Sports Injury Clinic.How Bad Is My Calf Strain?Boyd AS, Benjamin HJ, Asplund C.Splints and casts: indications and methods. Am Fam Physician. 2009;80(5):491-9.Additional ReadingDixon JB.Gastrocnemius vs. soleus strain: How to differentiate and deal with calf muscle injuries.Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine. 2009;2(2):74-77. doi:10.1007/s12178-009-9045-8Nsitem V.Diagnosis and rehabilitation of gastrocnemius muscle tear: A case report.J Can Chiropr Assoc.2013; 57(4): 327–333.
6 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.U.S. Center for Sports Medicine.What is Tennis Leg and How Do You Treat It?Hsu D, Chang KV.Gastrocnemius strain. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022.Bright JM, Fields KB, Draper R.Ultrasound diagnosis of calf injuries.Sports Health. 2017;9(4):352-355. doi:10.1177/1941738117696019Meadway J, Nicolaides AN, Walker CJ, O’Connell JD.Value of Doppler ultrasound in diagnosis of clinically suspected deep vein thrombosis.Br Med J. 1975;4(5996):552–554. doi:10.1136/bmj.4.5996.552.Sports Injury Clinic.How Bad Is My Calf Strain?Boyd AS, Benjamin HJ, Asplund C.Splints and casts: indications and methods. Am Fam Physician. 2009;80(5):491-9.Additional ReadingDixon JB.Gastrocnemius vs. soleus strain: How to differentiate and deal with calf muscle injuries.Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine. 2009;2(2):74-77. doi:10.1007/s12178-009-9045-8Nsitem V.Diagnosis and rehabilitation of gastrocnemius muscle tear: A case report.J Can Chiropr Assoc.2013; 57(4): 327–333.
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.
U.S. Center for Sports Medicine.What is Tennis Leg and How Do You Treat It?Hsu D, Chang KV.Gastrocnemius strain. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022.Bright JM, Fields KB, Draper R.Ultrasound diagnosis of calf injuries.Sports Health. 2017;9(4):352-355. doi:10.1177/1941738117696019Meadway J, Nicolaides AN, Walker CJ, O’Connell JD.Value of Doppler ultrasound in diagnosis of clinically suspected deep vein thrombosis.Br Med J. 1975;4(5996):552–554. doi:10.1136/bmj.4.5996.552.Sports Injury Clinic.How Bad Is My Calf Strain?Boyd AS, Benjamin HJ, Asplund C.Splints and casts: indications and methods. Am Fam Physician. 2009;80(5):491-9.
U.S. Center for Sports Medicine.What is Tennis Leg and How Do You Treat It?
Hsu D, Chang KV.Gastrocnemius strain. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022.
Bright JM, Fields KB, Draper R.Ultrasound diagnosis of calf injuries.Sports Health. 2017;9(4):352-355. doi:10.1177/1941738117696019
Meadway J, Nicolaides AN, Walker CJ, O’Connell JD.Value of Doppler ultrasound in diagnosis of clinically suspected deep vein thrombosis.Br Med J. 1975;4(5996):552–554. doi:10.1136/bmj.4.5996.552.
Sports Injury Clinic.How Bad Is My Calf Strain?
Boyd AS, Benjamin HJ, Asplund C.Splints and casts: indications and methods. Am Fam Physician. 2009;80(5):491-9.
Dixon JB.Gastrocnemius vs. soleus strain: How to differentiate and deal with calf muscle injuries.Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine. 2009;2(2):74-77. doi:10.1007/s12178-009-9045-8Nsitem V.Diagnosis and rehabilitation of gastrocnemius muscle tear: A case report.J Can Chiropr Assoc.2013; 57(4): 327–333.
Dixon JB.Gastrocnemius vs. soleus strain: How to differentiate and deal with calf muscle injuries.Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine. 2009;2(2):74-77. doi:10.1007/s12178-009-9045-8
Nsitem V.Diagnosis and rehabilitation of gastrocnemius muscle tear: A case report.J Can Chiropr Assoc.2013; 57(4): 327–333.
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