Gastrocnemius strain

Background

• Normal mechanism is "pushing off" with foot
• Also known as "Tennis leg"

Clinical Presentation

• Audible pop
• Calf pain
• Bruising
• Swollen muscle

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

Treatment

• RICE
• NSAIDS
• Ankle/foot bracing in a position of maximal tolerable dorsiflexion

Source

emedicine