How can you tell if someone has strained their soleus or gastrocnemius muscles?

How can you tell if someone has strained their soleus or gastrocnemius muscles?

Gastrocnemius strains typically present with tenderness in the medial belly or the musculotendinous junction. In soleus strains the pain is often lateral [3]. A palpable defect in the muscle helps in localization and suggests more severe injury.

What injury can mimic a Gastroc strain?

Numerous injuries to the posterior compartment can mimic gastrocnemius strain and should be included in the differential diagnosis, including Achilles tendon rupture, popliteal artery entrapment, soleus syndrome, acute compartment syndrome, chronic exertional compartment syndrome, plantaris injury, and injuries to the …

How is a calf strain diagnosed?

How is a torn calf muscle diagnosed? Your healthcare provider will perform a physical exam and review your symptoms. They may palpate (press) on your calf muscles to check for areas of tenderness or swelling.

Can you see muscle strain on MRI?

An MRI will not show muscle strains or other problems with soft tissues. The pain usually will go away on its own, although it may take several months. An MRI won’t change your treatment plan.

Can you see a sprain on an MRI?

An X-ray helps with a diagnosis of a bone fracture, and an MRI enables visualization of soft tissue injuries, such as a tendon or ligament injury.

What is a medial gastrocnemius tear?

A medial gastrocnemius strain (MGS), also sometimes called “tennis leg”, is an injury to the calf muscle in the back of the leg. It occurs when the calf muscle is stretched too far resulting in a partial or total tear or rupture within the muscle.

What is the plantaris tendon?

The plantaris muscle is a fine rope-like tendon running next to the larger Achilles Tendon. Its function is to work with the Achilles to flex the ankle and knee joint by extending from the outside (lateral) back of the femur (allowing you to stand on your toes or point your foot).

What is the difference between gastrocnemius and soleus strains?

Soleus strains. Unlike the gastrocnemius the soleus is considered low risk for injury. It crosses only the ankle and is largely comprised of type one slow twitch muscle fibers. Soleus strains also tend to be less dramatic in clinical presentation and more subacute when compared to injuries of the gastrocnemius.

Does gastrocnemius injury show up on MRI?

MRI may be used to help determine an accurate diagnosis and determine its severity. In one MRI study of 23 injuries to the gastrocnemius, the myotendinous junction was involved in 96% of cases [5]. The medial head was more frequently involved than the lateral head (86% and 14%, respectively).

Why is the gastrocnemius considered at high risk for strains?

Gastrocnemius considered at high risk for strains because crosses two joints (knee and ankle) and has high density of type II fast-twitch muscle fibers Classic mechanism of injury: sudden knee extension with foot in dorsiflexion resulting in immediate pain, disability, and swelling

What are the medial and lateral gastrocnemius?

The medial and lateral gastrocnemius tendons together with the soleus muscle form the calf. The gastrocnemius muscles extend half-way down the lower leg, distally contributing to the Achilles tendon. The gastrocnemius muscles but not the soleus cross the knee joint, and they all distally cross the tibiotalar joint (and the subtalar joint as well).