You should expect to make a full recovery from a muscle strain. Other symptoms may include: spasm reduced range of movement swelling/ inflamation weakness While most cases of calf pain can be treated at home, sometimes they may require immediate medical attention. You use crutches or an assistive device to move around. Your doctor may also prescribe stronger pain medications these are only taken temporarily and shouldnt be used more often than as prescribed. Depending on how severe your original muscle strain is, you should feel better in a few weeks. Then, carefully follow your treatment and recovery plan. Physical therapy is almost invariably a part of the treatment plan. In total, it usually takes up to three days for a pulled calf muscle to start feeling better. In general, almost all Grade I strains heal within a few weeks. 9th ed. redness or discoloration of the sore spot. Begin wrapping at the end farthest from your heart. She completed Pharmacy Practice Residency training at the University of Pittsburgh/VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System. See your provider right away if you cant move a part of your body you usually can. Hip Flexor Injury Symptoms. You can still walk with a mild strain, but it may be uncomfortable. you have pain, tenderness or weakness - often around your ankle, foot, wrist, thumb, knee, leg or back the injured area is swollen or bruised you cannot put weight on the injury or use it normally you have muscle spasms or cramping - where your muscles painfully tighten on their own Is it a sprain or a strain? National Institutes of Healthhttps://www.niams.nih.gov/, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health What are the signs and symptoms of muscle strain? A pulled groin muscle is usually self-apparent. A low-grade hamstring pull will allow you to walk normally, but with some discomfort. So, if you go into a quick sprint of movement where your hip and thigh muscles are engaged, it has the potential for rectus femoris strain. Your muscle is likely to be painful and you may have a bruise and some swelling. It also outlines some simple stretches that can help prevent groin injury. But a full recovery may take up to six weeks, according to Oxford University Hospitals. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Learn about symptoms and treatment. A doctor, personal trainer, or physical therapist can offer recommendations for taking your workouts to the next level when its appropriate. Notice swelling in your lower leg, foot or ankle. Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. Athletic hip injuries. Soleus pain causes are often linked to certain activities, but there is one cause that you could say is due to inactivity. You may feel pain or a pulling sensation when you come up from a squat or when you stand up after sitting. Hamstring muscles on the back of the thigh. Most groin pulls are relatively minor and have simply pulled a muscle beyond its normal range of motion, causing incidental tears. Gastrocnemius strains (near the middle of the calf) are more common than soleus strains (the lower calf, closer to the heel). Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. You can strain muscles anywhere in your body. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Along with pain, the most common symptoms of a pulled muscle are: A pulled muscle can be serious in some cases, possibly involving a torn muscle or tendon. Stretch your knees down toward the ground. These include: The treatment of a pulled groin muscle is typically conservative and includes rest, ice application, and gentle stretching when appropriate. Chronic muscle strains can result from repetitive injuries when you stress a muscle by doing the same motion over and over. Hold for 10 to 20 seconds, gradually increasing the time as your flexibility builds. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. If the results of your exam point to Grade I or II muscle strain, you probably will not need any additional testing. You can usually treat them at home with rest, icing and over-the-counter medicine. Unfortunately, the main causes of rectus femoris strain are fairly common. On rare occasions, severe strains can tear the muscle in two. Third Party materials included herein protected under copyright law. Talk to your healthcare provider right away if youre experiencing severe symptoms like intense pain. Like swelling, it usually only affects one leg and commonly starts in the calf. The more flexible you are, the more room your muscle fibers have to stretch before they begin to tear. The adductor muscles pull the legs together. Your doctor will also look for signs such as swelling and bruising. Because hamstrings work to pull back the leg and bend the knee, they can be injured during running, kicking or jumping. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. The symptoms of a pulled muscle are fairly classic of a soft tissue injury. A torn calf muscle may require surgery. When done correctly, stretches should cause a gentle pulling sensation but never pain. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on the site. Your provider might recommend you use over-the-counter NSAIDs like aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin and Advil) or naproxen (Aleve). The difference between soreness and a pulled muscle. The equivalent injury to a ligament is a sprain. There are no shortcuts to healing a pulled groin. Elevate the injured area above the level of your heart, especially at night, which allows gravity to help reduce swelling. These are usually short term. Some of the most common include: Hamstring. When you use the same muscles in the same pattern, repeatedly over time, small stresses build on each other. Safran MR, et al. Follow an exercise program aimed at stretching and strengthening your leg muscles. Orthop J Sports Med. Are unable to walk or bear weight on your leg. Tennis leg: gastrocnemius injury is a far more common cause than plantaris rupture. Sudden pain in the back of your lower leg. He teaches as an Assistant Professor of Orthopedics at Emory School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. Sprains, Strains, and Other Soft Tissue Injuries. Difficulty positioning for grooming, which may cause matting in fur. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Soreness. If you've had a groin pull, you will be advised to rest and avoid any movements that cause pain. Groin pulls are often experienced by athletes who play ice hockey and soccer because they have to rapidly change directions, often with their legs in a splayed position. Difficulty moving a muscle like you usually can. A hip flexor strain occurs when one or more of the hip flexor muscles becomes stretched or torn. Other common symptoms There are lots of common injuries that cause muscle pain similar to muscle strains, including: Talk to your provider if you experience any sudden, sharp pain in your body, especially if it happens during physical activity like a workout or playing sports. Strain. You may feel a blood clot moving in your leg if you start to get sudden chest pains and shortness of breath. Anyone can experience a hip strain just doing everyday tasks, but strains most often . DETAILS. Walking on recovering calf muscles can also increase recovery time. These injuries can range from a mild muscle pull to a complete tear. Ultrasound often can help distinguish among several different types of soft tissue injuries. A rubber donut may be used to decrease the pain of sitting on a swollen buttock. It can also affect your mobility, making you unable to walk. THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Previously, he worked as a newspaper reporter and editor, covering issues ranging from the environment and government to family matters and education. The symptoms of a pulled muscle range from mild to severe, depending on the extent of the injury. Along with your doctors treatment plan, some Last medically reviewed on July 23, 2018. A torn calf muscle may require surgery. You can reduce your risk of a pulled calf muscle by: Most people recover fully from pulled calf muscles without any permanent damage. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/, National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC) Increase the intensity of your training program gradually. Without proper treatment and adequate recovery, serious muscle strains can cause permanent damage and limited range of motion. How do you know if you pulled a groin muscle? If you have agroin strain, a stretching program will also help by keeping the muscles flexible and less prone to tears. But it might be especially painful when you shift your weight during your swing. Mild muscle strain can cause pain that feels similar to post-workout soreness. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2018. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information. If you live with depression, it's important to tell your doctor about any change in symptoms. Safran MR, et al. But golfers can pull a hamstring, too. Pulled Calf Muscle: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment - Knee Pain Explained Home Diagnosis Diagnosis Guide Diagnosis Chart Knee Symptoms Front Knee Pain Lateral Knee Pain Medial Knee Pain Pain Behind Knee Kneecap Pain Calf Pain Burning Knee Hyperextended Knee Knee Locking Leg Cramps Knee Pain Bending Pain Kneeling Pain At Night Pain On Stairs If your primary care provider cannot pinpoint the cause, ask for a referral to a sports medicine specialist or an orthopedist who specializes in diseases and disorders of the skeleton and muscles. Check with your provider before resuming any intense activity. You may also want to include exercises that strengthen your adductor, pelvic, and core muscles. This can result in a pulled muscle in the back. The symptoms of a pulled calf muscle vary depending on the severity of the injury. In: Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. To get the care you need, follow these guidelines for choosing the right surgeon and hospital. Make sure to warm up before exercising or playing sports, and give your body time to rest and recover after intense activity. Muscles strains are caused by tears in the fibers of your muscles. Early symptoms of paralytic polio include high fever, headache, stiffness in the back and neck, asymmetrical weakness of various muscles, sensitivity to touch, difficulty swallowing, muscle pain, loss of superficial and deep reflexes, paresthesia (pins and needles), irritability, constipation, or difficulty urinating. A patient guide to calf injury rehabilitation. Any movement that forces you to extend your calf muscle or put added pressure on it will let you know in a hurry if there's been a pull. Some of the more common ones are: To help simplify diagnosis and treatment, doctors often classify muscle strains into three different grades, depending on the severity of muscle fiber damage. Sprains, strains and other soft-tissue injuries. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier Saunders; 2012. https://www.clinicalkey.com. No need for water and no stomach discomfort. After a knee injury, it is common for the damaged area to be stiff and to experience a decrease in your range of motion. The doctor also will ask about your symptoms, especially any decreased muscle strength or difficulty walking. 7,752,060 and 8,719,052. grade 2 - a partial muscle tear. A sensation of being hit on the back of the lower leg. Sprains and Strains. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2018. https://www.clinicalkey.com. The amount of pain and other symptoms will depend on the severity of the strain. But there are a few things you should avoid doing. everyday foods can help reduce inflammation and ease joint pain. 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. Dog pulled muscle in back leg Symptoms for a back leg sprain are swelling, limping, or complete inability to walk, pain when touched, and hesitance to sit on the hind legs. Help Millions of people find the right doctor and care they need, Get immediate care and visit with providers from the comfort of your home, or anywhere, Urgent care centers can be faster and cheaper for situations that are not life threatening, Doctors and patients discuss the latest medical treatments and health tips, Search prescription drugs for why theyre used, side effects and more, Sign up for our free "Healthy Living News", Back and Neck Surgery (Except Spinal Fusion), View All Bones, Joints and Muscles Articles, https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/hamstring-muscle-injuries/, https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/hip-strains/, https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/muscle-strains-in-the-thigh/, https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/sprains-and-strains, https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/sprains-strains-and-other-soft-tissue-injuries/. You may need imaging exams to determine if there are any partial or complete tears in your calf muscles. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. To allow the injured muscle to heal, you may need to wear a brace or cast for a number of weeks. Your muscles are the same way. https://www.naric.com/, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) "Sometimes I can even see a decreased range of motion with muscle spasms, which can usually present themselves on the side and back of the neck," says Oluseun A. Olufade . Theyre called the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Heres our process. These muscles pull the legs togetherand move your hip in other ways. Tingling. This damage can be acute or chronic and these two scenarios have different causes. Difficulty in moving the affected limb. The doctor will also feel the affected area, checking for swelling, tenderness and the pain centers. Keeping your calf muscles strong and conditioned. Healthgrades Can Help. Stretch your legs apart by gently pushing over your front knee. Hamstrings are long muscles that extend down the back of the thigh. When you overuse a muscle, the strands of muscle fiber are stretched beyond their limit and tear apart. Third Degree. There may also be a popping sound or snapping sensation. To help prevent muscle strains in your legs, you can: If you have a Grade I or Grade II strain, your doctor will probably recommend that you follow the RICE rule: In addition, you can take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin and other brand names) or naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn and others), to ease pain and relieve swelling. The groin muscles are called the adductor muscles. For golfers, you might notice a calf pull just walking the course. Current Sports Medicine Reports. Examples include: Regular stretching and strengthening exercises for your sport, fitness or work activity, as part of an overall physical conditioning program, can help to minimize your risk of muscle strains. While a groin pull may seem obvious, there are certain conditions that can mimic it and require different treatments. Because muscle strains come from physical activities, its important they know what led to yours. Symptoms and Signs of Blood Clot in Leg Go to the emergency room right away if you experience any of the following symptoms: Straining a muscle is painful. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Also, in calf muscle injuries, Doppler studies may be done to check for a blood clot. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW Ending the Opioid Crisis - Mayo Clinic Press, FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education. Athletes may also experience immediate swelling or bruising, limited mobility, or inability to bear weight on the injured leg. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Coming to a Cleveland Clinic location?Hillcrest Cancer Center check-in changesCole Eye entrance closingVisitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information, Notice of Intelligent Business Solutions data eventLearn more. 9th ed. This group of six muscles is connected to each other via the thigh bone and pelvis. Even if you dont play sports or work out often, you can still strain a muscle, especially if you suddenly exert yourself much harder than you usually do. Hamstring injury. A muscle strain, or pulled muscle, occurs when your muscle is overstretched or torn. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. While you may initially consult your family physician, he or she may refer you to a doctor who specializes in sports medicine or orthopedic surgery. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. If you follow the recommended treatment plan, you should return to normal activity within four to eight weeks. Its rare to need prescription medication like muscle relaxers for a muscle strain. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Last updated on Oct 10, 2022. Quadriceps muscles on the front of the thigh. Once youve pulled a muscle, you have an increased risk of hurting it again in the future. Talk to your provider about which activities you should avoid while youre recovering. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. How long your strain lasts depends on which muscle you injured and how badly it was strained. https://www.nata.org/, American Physical Therapy Association Additional symptoms may include: Stiffness in the neck. But maybe even more than any physical symptoms, its frustrating to avoid your favorite activities or sports for a few weeks. redness or discoloration of the sore spot. Theyre one of the most common injuries, especially among athletes. Sometimes called pulled muscles, strains commonly occur in the lower back and in the muscles at the back of the thigh (hamstrings). People most likely to have pulled or strained hamstrings are sprinters, football players and other athletes in high-speed sports. Muscle strains are very common. Massaging your ankle after a sprain may help reduce pain and swelling, but you also want to be careful. Traumatic causes: The Traumatic causes include sports injuries. Hear from real doctors who treat orthopedic conditions and perform surgery. You may feel the blood clot pain is constant, and if you have any of these serious DVT symptoms, you must call a doctor immediately. While it may be difficult to rest your affected leg for a few days, moving around too soon can make the muscle strain worse. Mild injuries usually improve with rest, ice, compression and elevation. Its the same way in your muscles. People use the terms interchangeably. Accessed April 27, 2018. However, a muscle tear or an injury to a joint will take longer to recover from, and it will require treatment beyond an ice pack. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. A more serious pull or tear will show swelling almost immediately. "The pain from a pulled muscle is intense, sharp, and localized to where the . 2016 Sept/Oct;15(5):320-324. Coming to a Cleveland Clinic location?Hillcrest Cancer Center check-in changesCole Eye entrance closingVisitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information, Notice of Intelligent Business Solutions data eventLearn more. Accessed April 27, 2018. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/sprains-and-strains/advanced. DIAGNOSIS 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. Reduce your risk of reinjury by allowing your injury to fully heal before getting back to normal activities. Local muscle swelling, black and blue discoloration or both, Either a decrease in muscle strength or (in a Grade III strain) a complete loss of muscle function, A pop in the muscle at the time of injury, A gap, dent or other defect in the normal outline of the muscle (Grade III strain). But your muscle needs to heal, and giving it that time is the best way to make sure youll be able to get back to what you love as soon as its safe. Other causes of leg pain are related to the blood vessels, muscles, nerves, soft tissues, bones, and joints. This occurs when your calf muscle protrudes underneath your skin, creating a visible bump. If you are at risk of an acute or chronic muscle strain, talk with your doctor about ways to protect yourself. A surgeon makes an incision in your calf and reattaches the two ends of your muscle with stitches. Most athletes know what the injury is the moment it occurs. 10 Things to Know About Psoriatic Arthritis. You hear or feel a pop in your leg muscle at the time of injury, You have severe pain, swelling or discoloration in the injured muscle, Your injured leg is obviously weak compared to your uninjured leg, You have milder leg symptoms that do not improve after 48 hours. Jonathan Cluett, MD, is board-certified in orthopedic surgery. Once the cast is off, your healthcare provider will tell you when you can resume light physical activity. A pulled calf muscle is a common injury thats easily treated at home unless complications arise. Certain parts of the body are more susceptible to strains during participation in certain sports. Swelling that wont go away or is getting worse. Severe swelling can make any pain and discomfort last a bit longer. Just because an injury is common doesnt mean your situation isnt unique. How exactly were you moving when the injury occurred? Its common to injure both types of tissue during a strain. You know you should stay off it for a while. The exercises help strengthen the adductor muscles, stabilize the pelvis, and strengthen the core muscles of the mid-torso (including the abdominal, oblique, and multifidus back muscles). Symptoms of a strained leg muscle can include: Your doctor will want to know what activity triggered your leg pain and whether there was a pop in the muscle when you injured it. Lumps and bumps along the surface of your shin bone, where new bone growth has occurred. Depending on the severity of your injury, it may be several weeks before you can return to full activities. Strains are what happens when some of the thousands of fibers in your muscles are pulled beyond their limit and tear. Acute strains can be caused by one event, such as using poor body mechanics to lift something heavy. A hip flexor strain occurs when one or more of the hip flexor muscles becomes stretched or torn. While you shouldnt resume normal activities until your calf muscle heals, there are some stretches that can complement rest and other treatment measures. When diagnosing a pulled leg muscle, a doctor will ask you about your medical history and your symptoms, so be ready to answer questions about when the pain started, what you were doing when the pain started, what helps relieve the pain and how you would describe the pain (twinge, throb or ache). Its important to work your way up to more intense exercises gradually. The initial treatment of a pulled hamstring is RICE. A muscle strain, or pulled muscle, occurs when your muscle is overstretched or torn. If youve ever tried to use an old bungee cord to hold something in place youve seen this happen. Sarah Lewis is a pharmacist and a medical writer with over 25 years of experience in various areas of pharmacy practice. (2013). With rest and proper treatment, most groin pulls will heal on their own within four to six weeks. Oluseun Olufade, MD, is a board-certified orthopedist. Its important to describe in detail how you got the injury and how your calf felt immediately after the injury. A groin pullcan be quite painful, interfering with your ability to walk, navigate stairs, or even drive a car. The same is true for a strained muscle and a torn muscle. Shin splints & stress fractures occur due to repetitive sports, like running. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. In: Instructions for Sports Medicine Patients. Our gentle homeopathic formulas are made with all natural active ingredients. Strains injure tendons that link muscles and bones. The best way to prevent these problems is to seek prompt medical care for muscle pain, soreness or weakness. General principles of orthopedic injuries. Compression is especially important to try to minimize swelling and bleeding into the muscle. Quick pivots, jumps or abrupt stops can cause strains. Other signs of a pulled calf muscle include: mild swelling redness bruising inability to stand up on the ball of your foot A severe pull in your calf muscles can leave you with feelings of. 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). This content does not have an Arabic version. Score: 4.1/5 (42 votes) . rest, ice, compression, and; elevation. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Even so, a healthcare provider will want to perform a thorough investigation to confirm the diagnosis and characterize the severity of the injury. Pulled hip muscles usually feel like an intense burning or aching sensation, which can become worse with movement. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Stretching not only helps with recovery of your affected muscles, but it can also help your knee and ankle joints remain stabilized and mobile. The hamstring and quadriceps muscle groups are particularly at risk for muscle strains because they cross both the hip and knee joints. Stretch one leg out to the side, keeping your other leg under your torso. 2017 Mar;12(1):120-123. A groin pull can be quite painful, interfering with your ability to walk, navigate stairs, or even drive a car. the affected area feeling warm to the touch. This usually occurs as a result of fatigue, overuse, or improper use of a muscle. In the leg, muscle strains happen when a muscle is either stretched beyond its limits or forced into extreme contraction. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. 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. . This is a common injury, especially among athletes and runners. Hip Strains. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. Hernias happen when one of your internal organs or other body parts breaks through the wall of muscle or tissue that normally holds it in place. Causes of muscle strains include: Your healthcare provider will diagnose a muscle strain with a physical exam. What is the fastest way to heal a pulled groin muscle? Strains are classified with three grades to indicate how severe they are. A pulled muscle is a type of soft tissue injury called a strain. Even if the lump isn't painful, if it continues to grow, or if it's located deep within an extremity . In such cases, you would need surgery to reattach the torn ends of the muscle. Symptoms Signs and symptoms will vary, depending on the severity of the injury, and may include: Pain or tenderness Redness or bruising Limited motion Muscle spasms Swelling Muscle weakness When to see the doctor Mild strains can be treated at home. Symptoms of a Grade III strain may last until the torn muscle is repaired surgically. Overcompensation is overworking and straining the muscle. Your outstretched leg should have a straight knee, and you should feel the stretch on the inner thigh. Your healthcare provider will tell you which kind of surgery youll need and what you can expect. Be careful not to overstretch them because that is an easy way to pull those muscles before you begin to play. The 3 grades of hamstring injury are: grade 1 - a mild muscle pull or strain. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. A dog suffering from one may be more standoffish. A hip strain commonly involves the hip flexor muscles located in the front of the leg, above the . 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Center ( NARIC ) increase the intensity of your muscles are pulled their. Often linked to certain activities, its important they know what the injury leg! An easy way to heal a pulled hamstring is RICE and have simply a! Can resume light physical activity your outstretched leg should have a straight knee, can! Is intense, sharp, and products are for informational purposes only right surgeon and hospital the two ends your... Injured muscle to heal a pulled calf muscle to start feeling better muscle strain: traumatic... Strain can cause pain healthcare System long your strain lasts depends on which muscle you injured and how your muscle. The same muscles in the front of the treatment plan its important they know what injury. Health what are the signs and symptoms of muscle strains can result from injuries! Issues ranging from the environment and government to family matters and education are caused one! 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Cord to hold something in place youve seen this happen or complete tears in the leg commonly... Its important to work your way up to more intense exercises gradually do you know if cant. Help prevent groin injury last until the torn muscle is a far more common cause than plantaris rupture III may!