Orthopedics Leg, Foot & Ankle Causes of Pain Plantaris Muscle Tears and Calf Pain Calf Muscle Injuries Near the Achilles Tendon By Jonathan Cluett, MD Jonathan Cluett, MD LinkedIn Twitter Jonathan Cluett, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with subspecialty training in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery. Learn about our editorial process Updated on March 21, 2020 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Stuart Hershman, MD Medically reviewed by Stuart Hershman, MD LinkedIn Stuart Hershman, MD, is board-certified in orthopaedic surgery. He is the director of adult spinal deformity & complex spinal reconstruction at Massachusetts General Hospital and is on the faculty at Harvard Medical School. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print The plantaris muscle is a small muscle in the back of the leg. Running along with the other muscles of the calf, the plantaris muscle and tendon are in a similar location to the muscles of the calf and Achilles tendon. Injury to the plantaris muscle can mimic some of the symptoms of a calf strain or Achilles tendon tear, but the recovery from a plantaris muscle injury is typically much simpler. Anatomy The major muscles in the back of the leg are the gastrocnemius and the soleus muscles. The gastrocnemius has two major portions, the medial and lateral heads of the gastrocnemius, and is more superficial (closer to the skin). The soleus is located deeper in the leg. Together, the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles form the Achilles tendon, which blends into a tight tendon in the back of the heel. The Achilles tendon attaches to the heel bone (the calcaneus). When the calf muscles contract, they point the foot downward. This motion is important in propelling the body forward when walking, running, and especially when sprinting. The plantaris muscle is a smaller component of the calf muscles. The plantaris muscle and tendon sit roughly in the center of the calf, between the two heads of the gastrocnemius. Interestingly, around 10% to 20% of the population is born without plantaris muscles. Not having one in no way affects mobility, either in the long or short term. Symptoms Illustration by Jessica Olah, Verywell Injuries to the plantaris muscle can either occur as a muscle strain or more commonly, a plantaris muscle rupture. Plantaris muscle ruptures have also been called "tennis leg" as many people who sustain this injury are athletes who are lunging forward, such as a tennis player might do. Typical symptoms of a plantaris muscle rupture include: Sudden pain in the back of the calfA swelling or bunching of the calf muscleSwelling and bruising in the back of the legCramping and spasm sensations of the calf muscle Diagnosis The most important step is to confirm the diagnosis, in large part to ensure the injury is not a more serious Achilles tendon tear. Plantaris muscle tears can be differentiated from an Achilles tendon tear in that the foot can be pointed downward following the plantaris rupture. With an Achilles tear, it cannot. Plantaris ruptures can also be confused with a blood clot in the large veins of the calf, called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). If the diagnosis is unclear, there are tests that can be performed to confirm or exclude the diagnosis of a plantaris rupture. The two tests most often used are either an MRI or an ultrasound. Both of these tests can be useful in confirming an injury to the plantaris muscle or to look for other possible causes of calf pain. Treatment Treatment of a plantaris muscle injury is almost always non-surgical. While the injuries can cause pain and disability, the symptoms almost always resolve with simple treatment steps. The initial treatment of a plantaris injury is with the usual R.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compression, elevation) treatments. If the pain is significant, patients may require a brief time of immobilization or crutch use to allow the pain to subside. Gradual increases in mobility and strength can be obtained with the assistance of an athletic trainer or physical therapist. With conservative treatment, symptoms will gradually resolve over the course of several weeks, although a full recovery may take up to eight weeks depending on the severity of the injury. When a Calf Strain Is Something More Serious 2 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Gopinath TN, Jagdish J, Krishnakiran K, Shaji PC. Rupture of plantaris muscle - a mimic: MRI findings. J Clin Imaging Sci. 2012;2:19. doi:10.4103/2156-7514.95433 Rohilla S, et al. Plantaris rupture: why is it important? BMJ Case Rep. 2013 Jan 22;2013 doi:10.1136/bcr-2012-007840 Editorial Process Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit