Plantaris Muscle Pain

Plantaris Muscle Pain refers to discomfort or injury involving the plantaris muscle, a small, thin muscle located in the lower leg. The plantaris runs from the lower part of the femur to the Achilles tendon and plays a minor role in foot movement and knee flexion. While it’s not a primary muscle for most movements, pain in the plantaris can occur due to overuse, strain, or injury.

Anatomy of the plantaris muscle?

• The long, thin muscle known as the plantaris reaches into the sural area, or calf, of the posterior leg and behind the knee joint.
• This muscle is part of the superficial group of the leg’s posterior compartment, which also includes the gastrocnemius and soleus.
• The way muscles work:
• Knee joint = flexion of the knee

Causes of the plantaris muscle pain?

• The term “tennis leg” refers to the frequent pain that affects this muscle.
• The plantaris muscle rupture is another factor contributing to this pain.
• In sports like tennis, basketball, and soccer, which call for quick foot movement in a certain direction, this pain is caused by certain actions including jumping, running, and pushing off one leg.
• Rarely do plantaris muscles get strained.
• The other pain and other muscles at the rear of the lower leg usually coexist with this strain.
• Muscle soreness from exercise and overuse of a muscle are also contributing factors to this pain.

Symptoms of the plantaris muscle pain?

• You suddenly experience calf back pain.
• You are seeing the calf muscle expand and bunch.
• On occasion, you may see bruising and swelling in the rear leg.
• There are trigger or sensitivity points in the area of the muscle that hurts.
• You frequently hear a popping sound coming from the back of your leg.

Diagnosis

• In order to determine whether the pain is in the plantaris muscle or not, the diagnosis is crucial since pain can occasionally affect a considerable portion of the muscle.
• An MRI and ultrasound are recommended for the doctor to confirm the diagnosis.
• The diagnosis can be confirmed with both tests.

Treatment for the plantaris muscle pain?

RICE principle:

The RICE concept is recommended by the doctor as a primary treatment or at-home remedy when muscular pain arises.

• R-rest = The doctor always suggests resting for a while to relieve aches and pains in the muscles. You can use crutches to support your weight and relieve the pain.
• I-ice = You can also use frozen peas and an ice pack for ice treatment.
• C-compression = In addition to relieving swollen and aching muscles, compression bandages can also be employed.
• E-elevation: In order to relieve muscle pain and swelling, you must be raised to the affected leg.

Pain medication:

• For NAISD, you can also take an anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen, to relieve muscle soreness.
• Another option is to apply volini gel on the sore spot.

Physical Therapy Treatment for plantaris muscle pain?

• You can get relief from muscle pain, tightness, spasms, and edema with physical therapy treatment.
• Stretching, exercise, massage, and electrotherapy are all part of the physical therapy treatment.

Massage:

• It is recommended that a therapist use massage treatment to relieve muscle pain when trigger or tender points are present.
• It is administered for five minutes with the aid of oil.
• Three times a day, it is administered.

Electrotherapy treatment:

• A lot of machines are employed by the treatment therapist in electrotherapy.
• Therapists use US, or ultrasound therapy, to relieve muscle pain when trigger and tender points are present.
• This treatment is given to the painful area for five to ten minutes using a gel.
• Short wave diathermy (SWD), interferential treatment (IFT), and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) are applied to the painful area by a pain therapist.
• One kind of hot therapy used to reduce pain in the affected area is called short wave diathermy, or SWD.
• IFC (interferential curent therapy) and TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) are applied to the sore area using gel and electrodes.
• Applying this therapy to the sore area takes ten minutes.

Stretching:

• Towel stretch
• Standing calf stretch

Towel stretch:

• The patient is extending one leg in front of you while seated on a stable surface.
• To maintain a straight knee joint, pull the towel in the direction of the body.
• After 30 seconds, hold this position and unwind.

Standing calf stretch:

• For the purpose of stretching, the patient stands.
• After 30 seconds, hold this position and unwind.
• Perform this workout three times a day and ten times in a single session.

Exercise:

• Double-Leg Calf Raise
• Single-Leg Calf Raise
• Seated Calf Raise
• Seated heel raise
• Single balance leg
• Resistance Band Calf Exercise
• Wall jump

Double-Leg Calf Raise:

• The patient is balancing by standing close to a wall and a bench.
• Then, to elevate the body, push down into the balls of both feet.
• Surely To move straight up and move the body from side to side, keep your abdominal muscles taut.
• Perform this workout three times a day and ten times in a single session.

Single-Leg Calf Raise:

• The patient begins by standing with one leg bent and one leg close to a wall and bench for balance.
• To safeguard the joints, the leg’s ankle, knee, and hip are all vertically aligned.
• Next, elevate the foot and torso upward while pushing down into the ball.
• Avoid moving forward and backward because the abdominal muscles are drawn in.
• Perform this workout three times a day and ten times in a single session.

Seated Calf Raise:

• Reposition the heels behind the knee joint by bringing the feet back.
• Perform this workout three times a day and ten times in a single session.

Single balance leg:

• Without any assistance, the patient is standing.
• After that, make plans to balance on one leg.
• After 30 seconds, hold this position and unwind.
• Perform this workout three times a day and ten times in a single session.

Resistance Band Calf Exercise:

• The patient is either standing or sitting.
• Wrap the band around the foot’s end and apply pressure to the band.
• Next, activate the calf muscle and extend the toe.
• Perform this workout three times a day and ten times in a single session.

Wall jump:

• A piece of masking tape should be placed on a pair of feet higher than the patient’s head while they face a wall.
• Afterward, leap up together, keeping your arms above your head, and feel the tape’s touch.
• Make sure you’re moving in a “spring” motion and avoid landing hard on your feet.
• Next, get better at landing and taking off on one foot.
• Perform this workout three times a day and ten times in a single session.

Summary:

• The most common cause of plantaris ruptures is a lunging motion made while sprinting or jumping. Achilles tendon rips and plantaris pain might have comparable symptoms, but the former heals far more quickly.

FAQs

References

• Ladva, V. (2024f, December 19). Plantaris muscle pain: Cause, symptoms, treatment, exercise. Samarpan Physiotherapy Clinic. https://samarpanphysioclinic.com/plantaris-muscle-pain/
• Patel, P. (2023, January 11). Plantaris muscle strain – Cause, Symptoms, Treatment, Exercise. Samarpan Physiotherapy Clinic. https://samarpanphysioclinic.com/plantaris-muscle-strain/#google_vignette