You may feel immediate pain, cramping, and other symptoms.
Activities that involve lunging forward while running or jumping are often to blame for plantaris injuries.
Thankfully, recovery from a plantaris muscle injury is typically much simpler.
Illustration by Jessica Olah, Verywell
The gastrocnemius has two major portionsthe medial and lateral heads of the gastrocnemiusand is closer to the skin.
The soleus muscle is located deeper in the leg.
The Achilles tendon attaches to the heel bone (thecalcaneus).
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.
Interestingly, around 7% to 20% of the population is born without plantaris muscles.
With an Achilles tear, it cannot.
Treating Plantaris Injuries
Treatment of a plantaris muscle strain or tear is almost always non-surgical.
While the injuries can cause pain and disability, the symptoms almost always resolve with simple treatment steps.
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.
Full recovery may take up to eight weeks depending on the severity of the injury.
Plantaris ruptures occur most often during a lunging motion while running or jumping.
Plantaris injuries can have similar symptoms to Achilles tendon tears, but recovery is much quicker.
2018;46(1):224-233. doi:10.1177/0363546517697957
