Key result
Musculotendinous injuries in the lower leg, most commonly involving the medial head of the gastrocnemius, require differentiation from ruptured popliteal cysts and deep vein thrombosis.
This review highlights the differential diagnosis of acute calf pain and swelling, including musculotendinous strain, muscle herniation, ruptured popliteal cysts, and deep vein thrombosis.
Highlights need for imaging differentiation in acute calf pain; leaves open prospective validation of protocols.
Musculotendinous injury in the lower leg is associated with a variety of athletic activities. Myotendinous strain is typically localized to the posterior calf muscles, with involvement of the medial head of gastrocnemius muscle most common. Nontraumatic soft tissue injuries of the lower leg, including muscle herniation, are less frequently imaged. Ruptured popliteal cysts and deep vein thrombosis are important differential considerations in the patient presenting with acute calf pain and swelling.
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Joel S. Newman (2017) conducted a review in Musculotendinous Disorders in the Lower Leg. Musculotendinous injuries in the lower leg, most commonly involving the medial head of the gastrocnemius, require differentiation from ruptured popliteal cysts and deep vein thrombosis.
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