Gastrocnemius strain
Background
- Normal mechanism is "pushing off" with foot
- Also known as "Tennis leg"
Clinical Features
- Audible pop
- Calf pain
- Bruising
- Swollen muscle- commonly in medial calf
- Positive Calf Raise Test: plantar flex the affected ankle. Patients with achilles tendon rupture will not be able to complete the motion, gastrocnemius tears will be tender but can partially complete the motion.
Differential Diagnosis
Calf pain
- Achilles tendon rupture
- Calcaneal bursitis
- Cellulitis
- Compartment syndrome
- Deep venous thrombosis (DVT)
- Distal leg fractures
- Gastrocnemius strain
- Ruptured popliteal cyst (Bakers cyst)
- Superficial thrombophlebitis
Management
- RICE
- NSAIDS
- Ankle/foot bracing in a position of maximal tolerable dorsiflexion