Gastrocnemius muscle pain: Cause, Symptoms, Treatment, Exercise

When you feel sudden pain in the back of the leg & difficulty in contracting the muscle/standing on tiptoe it is indicated to be gastrocnemius muscle pain.
This pain is due to cramps/muscle strain.
You feel Pain & observe the swelling or bruising in the area of muscle pain.
This Pain increases during the resisted plantar flexion & contracting of the muscles against resistance.
This gastrocnemius muscle pain varies from person to person, but it typically feels like as dull, aching & sharp pain.
This pain is relieved by the RICE principle, pain medication & physiotherapy treatment.

Table of Contents

What is the anatomy of the gastrocnemius muscle?

This muscle is also known as the leg triceps.
It is the large posterior muscle of the calf of the leg.
This muscle originates from the back of the femur – thighbone & patella – kneecap & joins with the soleus muscle.
Then both muscles are attached to the Achilles tendon at the heel.
The action of the gastrocnemius muscle is to pull the heel up & extend the foot downward.
The gastrocnemius muscle provides the propelling force in running & jumping action.
Function of this gastrocnemius muscle = Talocrural joint = Foot plantar flexion & Knee joint = Leg flexion.

What causes gastrocnemius muscle pain?

Cramp:
this gastrocnemius muscle is usually caused by cramps when the gastrocnemius muscle is suddenly contracting.
This muscle cramp occurs when you start new exercises.
when you feel dehydrated, it leads to a muscle cramp.

Gastrocnemius muscle strain:
When occur to Tearing & Overstretching in the gastrocnemius muscle it is known as gastrocnemius muscle strain.
This strain leads to muscle pain & swelling.
Depending on the symptoms this muscle strain is classified into the 3 stages.

Contusion:
This contusion bruise occurs due to trauma, such as a fall, cut & or blow.
The trauma has become to cause the capillaries beneath the skin which leads to causes of the discoloration.

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy = DPN:
It is a form of nerve damage which gives affects the feet & legs.
This condition occurs as a common complication of diabetes which results from overexposure to high blood sugar, genetic factors & nerve inflammation.
This cause leads to muscle pain.

Deep vein thrombosis = DVT:
It is the result of a blood clot that is forming in the deep vein in the leg, including the gastrocnemius muscle.
DVT occurs due to sitting for long periods, medication complications & smoking.

Varicose veins:
Varicose veins mean enlarged veins which often occur to bulge from the legs.
It is developed if the occurs to damaged valves in the veins which are allowed to blood from to backflow.

Other conditions which is become to cause gastrocnemius muscle pain :
When you use certain medications, including cholesterol-lowering drugs.
Short & tight gastrocnemius muscle
If you are already suffering from diseases such as hypothyroidism, kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes /peripheral artery disease = or PAD.
If the presence of Edema – swelling due to fluid build-up in the patient’s lower leg.
Pregnancy.
You are doing Smoking & using tobacco products.

What are symptoms of the gastrocnemius muscle pain?

You are observing the Swelling around the muscle pain area.
You are seen to have Unusual coolness & pale color in the muscle pain area.
You feel the tingling & numbness sensation in the muscle pain area.
Feeling of weakness in the leg & also feeling of Fluid retention.
In the muscle pain area also presents Redness, warmth & tenderness.

Who gets gastrocnemius muscle pain?

Mostly Anyone people get this muscle pain.
But It is more common in the athletes, people who do the exercise &put the excess stress on the gastrocnemius muscle.
People who are over the age of 65 which is lead a higher risk of lower leg pain due to muscle weakness & certain health conditions.

When do you need to contact the doctor?

When the swelling is not relieved after the treatment for some days.
If you are feeling too severe tingling, numbness & or weakness in the leg.
When you feel any breathing problems.
When you feel pain during & after the walking

Other signs which are needed to emergency contact the doctor:
Presence of a fever greater than 100°F
When you feel the swollen leg & become too pale/cool to the touch
In the presence of sudden extreme swelling in the affected legs

What is Diagnosis of the gastrocnemius muscle pain?

The health care provider is doing the physical examination & tries to cause the muscle pain.
If the doctor finds the issue in the patient with more severe symptoms then the doctor is advised to a musculoskeletal ultrasound scan.

Ultrasound helps to doctor for identifying the following causes :
Diabetic neuropathy
Achilles tendonitis
Deep vein thrombosis
Arterial claudication
Plantar fascia

What is the treatment for gastrocnemius muscle pain?

RICE principle :

When the pain occurs in the muscle doctor is advised to RICE principle as home treatment or primary treatment.

R – rest = When the pain occurs doctor always advises resting for some time release to muscle pain & swelling, you can use crutches for weight-bearing & release muscle pain.
I – ice = You can apply ice on the area of pain for 20 minutes release to swellings & muscle pain but always apply the ice with the help of a towel between the skin & ice prevent to ice burn, you can also be used to ice pack & frozen peas for ice therapy.
C – compression = You can also apply compression bandage release to muscle pain, and swelling.
E – elevation = You must be elevated to the injured leg for release to muscle pain & swelling.

Pain medication :

You can also take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs = NSAIDs like aspirin & ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) which help to release the muscle pain.
When you have felt severe pain, your doctor prescribes something stronger drug.
You can also apply volini gel & spray on the area of muscle pain release to muscle pain & swelling.

Heat therapy :

when the swelling & spasms are not relieved after the primary & home treatment.
then you can use hot therapy release to pain, swelling & spasms.
you can also be used to hot pack & warm water release to muscle pain.

What is Physiotherapy treatment for gastrocnemius muscle pain?

Physiotherapy treatment helps you relieve pain, swelling, spam & tightness of the muscle pain.

The physiotherapy treatment includes massage, electrotherapy treatment, stretching, and exercise.

Massage :

When the trigger or tender points are present in the muscle pain therapist is advised to massage therapy release to the muscle pain.
Massage is applied with the help of the oil & applied for 5 to 10 minutes.
Massage is applied 2 to 3 times per day.

Electrotherapy treatment:

To relieve the swellings, spasms & pain therapist is advised to electrotherapy treatment.

In electrotherapy, the treatment therapist is used to many machines.

When the trigger & tender points are present therapists apply US = ultrasound therapy for the release of muscle pain.
This treatment is applied with the help of gel & applied for 5 to 10 minutes on the area of pain.
This therapy helps you release pain & swelling.

Reduce to pain therapist is applied to SWD = short wave diathermy, IFT = Interferential Therapy, TENS = Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on the area of pain.
SWD = Short wave diathermy is hot therapy for release to spams on the area of pain.
IFT = Interferential Therapy & TENS = Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation is applied with the help of gel & electrodes on the area of pain.
This therapy is applied for 10 minutes to the area of pain.

Stretching exercise Gastrocnemius muscle pain:

Stretching helps you relieve muscle tightness & muscle pain.

Gastrocnemius Stretch (Flexibility)
Calf muscle stretch with wall
Stretching Without a Wall
Heel cord stretch with bent knee
Towel Stretch
Plantarflexion stretch

Gastrocnemius Stretch (Flexibility):

You are standing facing a wall from 3 feet away.
Then Take one step toward the wall with the right foot.
Place both palms on the wall.
Bend the right knee joint.
Lean forward, must keep the left leg straight & the left heel on the floor.
Hold this stretching for 30 to 60 seconds.
Repeat 3 times in 1 session & 3 sessions per day.

Calf muscle stretch with a wall:

You are standing at arm’s length in front of a wall.
Place the affected leg in front of the unaffected leg.
Place both arms on the wall.
Press the back heel into the floor & straighten the back leg while keeping the front leg bent.
Hold this position for 15–20 seconds.
Hold this stretching for 30 to 60 seconds.
Repeat 3 times in 1 session & 3 sessions per day.

Stretching Without a Wall:

Place the affected leg in front of the unaffected leg.
then Shift the body’s weight onto the front (right) leg, while must be keeping the back heel pressed to the floor.
Hold this stretching for 30 to 60 seconds.
repeat 3 times in 1 session & 3 sessions per day.

Heel cord stretch with a bent knee:

For This stretch use the wall.
You are standing with the affected leg in front of the unaffected leg.
Lightly bend the back knee & point the toes inward a little.
Then press both hands against the wall.
Must be Keep both heels flat on the ground & press the hips toward the wall.
Hold this stretching for 30 to 60 seconds.
Repeat 3 times in 1 session & 3 sessions per day.

Towel Stretch:

You are sitting on the floor with both legs straight out in front.
Loop the hand towel around the ball of one foot.
Then Hold both ends of the towel.
Must be Keep the legs straight & pull the towel toward the body.
Hold this stretching for 30 to 60 seconds.
Repeat 3 times in 1 session & 3 sessions per day.

Plantar flexion stretch:

You are sitting on the floor with your legs straight out in front.
Wrap the one end of the elastic band around one foot & hold the opposite end.
Then Gently point the toes forward & slowly return to the starting position.
Repeat this exercise 10 times in 1 session & 3 sessions per day.

Exercise for Gastrocnemius muscle pain:

Exercise helps you relieve muscle weakness & pain.

Calf raises
Jumping jacks
Standing calf raise
Elevated standing calf raise
Isometric calf raise
Single-leg calf raise
Jumping calf raise
Hole calf raise
Seal jack
High knees
Butt kicks
Raises heel squat
Jump squat
Toe jumps
Step-up hop
Bosu ball squat
Sprints
Plyometrics
Tiptoe walk
Jump rope
Toe taps
Seated calf raise
Donkey calf raise

Calf raises :

You are standing with equal body weight on each foot.
Hold on to a tabletop & the back of a chair for balance.
Bend the right knee & lift the right foot.
Then left foot should take all of the body’s weight.
Must keep the left leg straight & raise the left heel as high as possible.
Then Lower it.
Repeat this exercise 10 times in 1 session & 3 sessions per day.

Jumping jacks:

You are standing with the feet hip-width apart with the hands at the sides.
Jump up & spread the legs out to the sides & swing the arms over your head.
Then return to the starting position.
Repeat this exercise 10 times in 1 session & 3 sessions per day.

Standing calf raise:

You are Standing with the feet hip-width apart & toes pointing forward.
Push through the balls of the feet & lift the heels as high as you can.
Pause briefly at the top squeezing calf muscles.
Then Slowly lower down to the starting position.
Repeat this exercise 10 times in 1 session & 3 sessions per day.

Elevated standing calf raise :

You are Standing with the feet hip-width apart on the edge of a platform & elevated surface.
Push through the balls of the feet & lift the heels as high as you can.
Pause briefly at the top squeezing the calf muscles.
Then Slowly lower down till your muscle is completely stretched out.
Repeat this exercise 10 times in 1 session & 3 sessions per day.

Isometric calf raise:

You Stand with the feet hip-width apart
Then Press through the balls of the feet, lifting the heels as high as you can off the floor
Squeeze at the top for 5 seconds
Then slowly return to the starting position
Repeat this exercise 10 times in 1 session & 3 sessions per day.

Single-leg calf raise:

You are standing on one foot & toes are pointing forward.
Then Push through the balls of your foot, lifting the heel as high as you can.
Pause briefly at the top squeezing the calf muscles.
Then Slowly lower down to the starting position.
Repeat this exercise 10 times in 1 session & 3 sessions per day.

Jumping calf raise :

You are standing up with the feet hip-width apart & hands at the sides.
Press through the balls of the feet, exploding up into the air.
Then Softly land on the balls of the feet
Repeat this exercise 10 times in 1 session & 3 sessions per day.

Hole calf raise :

You are standing on a platform & elevated on the surface with the toes pointing outwards.
Then try to Lower down into the bottom part of a squat position.
After that Perform a calf raise by pushing through the balls of your feet as high as you can.
Slowly return to the starting position.
Repeat this exercise 10 times in 1 session & 3 sessions per day.

Seal jack

You are standing with your feet together with your arms stretched out in front of you.
Jump up & spread the arms & legs to the sides.
Land softly with the feet spread apart & arms out to the sides.
Jump up again & return to the starting position.
Repeat this exercise 10 times in 1 session & 3 sessions per day.

High knees :

You are Standing with the feet hip-width apart.
Raise the left leg bringing the knee joint up as high as you can.
Then Lower the left leg & bring the right knee up as high as you can.
Do this process on Alternate knees & continue to run in place.
Repeat this exercise 10 times in 1 session & 3 sessions per day.

Butt kicks :

You are Standing with the feet hip-width apart.
Bring the right heel up to the butt.
Then Lower the right leg back to the floor& repeat with your left leg.
Repeat this exercise 10 times in 1 session & 3 sessions per day.

Raises heel squat:

You are Standing with the feet shoulder-width apart.
Then Rise onto the balls of the feet
After that Perform a squat & at the bottom of the squat lower the heels to the floor
Push through the balls of the feet back into the starting position
Repeat this exercise 10 times in 1 session & 3 sessions per day.

Jump squat:

you are Standing with the feet shoulder-width apart.
Then Lower down into a squat position.
During the exercise Push off through the balls of the feet & jump as high as you can.
Then Softly land on the balls of the feet.
Repeat this exercise 10 times in 1 session & 3 sessions per day.

Toe jumps :

You are Standing with the feet hip-width apart.
Rise to the balls of the feet.
Hop up & down quickly.
Repeat this exercise 10 times in 1 session & 3 sessions per day.

Step-up hop:

You are standing with the feet hip-width apart.
Then Step up onto a shin-level platform with the right leg.
Push up off the balls of the right foot into a hop.
Land softly on the balls of the foot then steps back down to ground level.
Repeat this exercise 10 times in 1 session & 3 sessions per day.

Bosu ball squat :

You are Standing on the Bosu ball with the feet hip-width apart.
Then Slowly lower down into a squat.
Push up through the heels to the starting position.
Repeat this exercise 10 times in 1 session & 3 sessions per day.

Sprints :

You are running at the fastest speed for the desired distance & time while keeping your heels off the ground as much as possible.

Plyometrics :

You are Starting on an elevated platform.
Then Slowly slide off the edge of the platform to land on the balls of the feet
As soon as possible explode off the ground pushing through the balls of the feet to jump as high as you can.
But Land softly on the balls of the feet.
Repeat this exercise 10 times in 1 session & 3 sessions per day.

Tiptoe walk :

You are Standing with the feet hip-width apart.
Then Walk on the balls of the feet.
Repeat this exercise 10 times in 1 session & 3 sessions per day.

Jump rope :

You are standing with the feet hip-width apart.
Holding a jump rope with both hands.
Jump up & swing the rope over the head & under the feet.
Repeat this exercise 10 times in 1 session & 3 sessions per day.

Toe taps:

You are Standing with the feet hip-width apart.
Place the raised platform in front of the & do at the bottom of the staircase.
Lift the right leg & tap the toes on the raised surface.
Switch the sides.
Repeat this exercise 10 times in 1 session & 3 sessions per day.

Seated calf raise :

You are sitting in a position with the feet hip the width apart on the footplate.
Start with the heels lowered & calves stretched out.
With the knee joint slightly bent & push through the balls of the feet as high as you can.
Slowly lower down to the bottom of the stretched position.
Repeat this exercise 10 times in 1 session & 3 sessions per day.

Donkey calf raise :

You are standing with the feet hip-width apart on a platform then hinge at the hips so the upper body is parallel with the floor.
Start with the heels lowered & calves stretched out.
With the knees slightly bent & push through the balls of the feet as high as you can.
Then Slowly lower down to the bottom of the stretched position.
Repeat this exercise 10 times in 1 session & 3 sessions per day.

Strengthening exercise :

This strengthening exercise helps you release weakness & strengthen the muscles.

Tiptoe farmer’s walk
Seated calf raises with dumbells
Standing calf raise
Leg press calf raise
Stair stepper
Incline treadmill

Tiptoe farmer’s walk :

You are Standing up straight with the feet at hip-width.
Grab the two dumbbells with a neutral grip & hold them to the sides.
Then Walk for the desired distance & time staying on the balls of the feet the whole time.
Must keep the heels off the ground.
Repeat this exercise 10 times in 1 session & 3 sessions per day.

Seated calf raises with dumbells:

You are sitting on a bench with the back straight the feet flat on the floor in front of you & toes pointing forward.
Then Hold two heavy dumbbells with a neutral grip & rest on the knee joint.
Press up through the toes & lift the heels off the ground as high as you can.
After that Pause at the top briefly & squeeze the calf muscles & slowly lower to the starting position
Repeat this exercise 10 times in 1 session & 3 sessions per day.

Standing calf raise with Barbell :

You are Standing with the feet hip-width apart & toes pointing forward.
Place the barbell across the upper back.
Push through the balls of the feet & lift the heels as high as you can.
Hold for briefly at the top squeezing the calf muscles.
Then Slowly lower down to the starting position.
Repeat this exercise 10 times in 1 session & 3 sessions per day.

Leg press calf raise:

This exercise is done in the gym & clinic.
You are sitting in the leg press chair then place the toes on the edge of the press plate.
Push the plate till the legs are extended.
Press through the toes as far as you can.
Slowly lower the plate till the muscles are fully stretched.
Repeat this exercise 10 times in 1 session & 3 sessions per day.

Stair stepper:

This exercise is done in the gym & clinic.
Then Get on the stair stepper machine.
And start climbing the stairs.
Make sure to push off the use of the toes on each step.
Completely do the desired steps & time.
Repeat this exercise 10 times in 1 session & 3 sessions per day.

Incline treadmill:

This exercise is done in the gym & clinic.
Then Get on the treadmill.
Then Increase the incline percentage to the highest level.
You are Set at a manageable speed.
Then do the Walk, run & jog for the desired time.