Pulled Muscle in Leg

Do you feel a sudden sharp pain in the leg during the course of normal daily activities like walking, running, sports, etc? This pain may be due to a pulled muscle in the leg. Leg muscles can be strained due to various reasons.

Sometimes, overdoing any of the mentioned activities can lead to muscle cramps. Though we cannot avoid all of them, as they are a part of our daily routine, we must know what exactly we can do to reduce the amount of exertion.

A pulled muscle behind the knee or a hamstring injury can be divided into 3 grades:

Grade 1: A grade 1 pull is a minor strain that does not result in a fully torn tissue in the muscle. There is minimal pain, which stops after resting for a while.

Grade 2: A grade 2 pull is caused due to partial tearing of the ligaments in the hamstring/calf as a result of a pulled calf muscle. This injury take longer to heal. Though physical activity is not impossible, the person may find it difficult to maintain the same pace for about 5 - 7 weeks.

Grade 3: This is the most severe type that a person can experience. It is caused when the muscle tissue fibers of the leg are totally torn. It is a serious injury, which requires medical attention immediately. Recovery takes much longer than Grade 1 or Grade 2 injuries; around 3 - 5 months.

To understand the remedies for a pulled leg muscle, we must know its cause(s). Given here are some of the reasons why you may experience a pulled muscle.

• Sudden heavy physical activity.
• Lifting heavy objects.
• Stress on calf muscles as a result of sports or exercises.
• Overexertion of muscles.

Read the following symptoms to ascertain if you indeed have a pulled muscle in your leg.

• A sudden shooting pain in the back of your leg during some sort of physical activity.
• Pain in your leg even when you are not engaging in any leg straining activity.
• Inability to move the leg in any manner.
• Inability to stand straight on your feet or toes.

Overdoing thigh exercises can lead to a muscle pull in the hamstring. Generally, when one has a pulled hamstring, rest is advised. Additionally, the following treatment options can ease the pain.

Stretch : Keep the injured leg stretched out. Do not engage in any activity that requires you to bend your injured leg. This can help reduce the muscle pain.

Cold Therapy: Use an ice pack on the injured portion of the leg. Make sure you don't place the ice pack directly on the leg. Use a cloth or towel to wrap it. Press it gently on the injury, applying minimal amount of pressure. Since the muscle tissues have been inflamed due to the injury, ice reduces the burning sensation.

Elevation: A pulled leg muscle may cause swelling in the injured area. Keep the leg elevated to help reduce the swelling and ease the pain.

Compression Bandage: This is an effective method. But, ensure that the tightness of the bandage is perfect. If it is tied too loose, there will be no effect. If it's too tight, one might end up in more pain than before.

Popping Pills: If none of the above work, you can consider taking painkillers to get some relief. Ensure that you consult a doctor before taking any kind of medication, and most importantly, check the date of expiry on the medication.

These were some easy, yet effective ways to get some respite from the terrible pain due to a pulled leg muscle. Performing regular muscle building exercises can help in reducing muscle pain.

Disclaimer: This is for informative purposes only, and should not be replaced for the advice of a medical professional.