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Triceps Surae Injuries

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Muscle and Tendon Injuries

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Abstract

The “calf muscle,” or triceps surae, consists of three separate muscles (the gastrocnemius, soleus, and plantaris) whose aponeuroses unite to form the Achilles tendon. Clinical history and physical examination, along with imaging studies, allow localization of the injured muscle. Differentiating strains in the gastrocnemius from those in the soleus is particularly important for an accurate prognosis, appropriate treatment, and successful prevention of recurrent injury. Ninety-two percent of all muscle injuries affect the four major muscle groups of the lower limbs; strains to the triceps surae (13%) are preceded in frequency by injuries to the hamstrings (37%), adductors (23%), and quadriceps muscle group (19%). Many muscle injuries are misdiagnosed and have an insidious evolution, and athletes often have a high risk of re-injury (Ekstrand et al. 2011). Calf strains are generally regarded as common injuries, particularly in athletes, although specific data on injury rates are sparse (Coughlin et al. 2006; DeLee et al. 2003; Brukner and Khan 2002; Garrett 1996; Armfield et al. 2006). In one study of soccer players, calf strains represented 3.6% of injuries over a 5-year period (Luck et al. 2008).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sports Medicine Center Clinica Las Condes/Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile

    Fernando Radice M.D., Ausberto Velasquez M.D. & Alejandro Orizola M.D.

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  1. Fernando Radice M.D.
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  2. Ausberto Velasquez M.D.
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  3. Alejandro Orizola M.D.
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Correspondence to Fernando Radice M.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Koelliker Hospital, Centre of Sports Traumatology, Torino, Italy

    Gian Luigi Canata

  2. Dept. of Orthopaedic Surgery, Aspetar Hospital Aspire Zone, Doha, Qatar

    Pieter d'Hooghe

  3. Department of Orthopedics, University of Colorado Hospital, Aurora, Colorado, USA

    Kenneth J. Hunt

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Radice, F., Velasquez, A., Orizola, A. (2017). Triceps Surae Injuries. In: Canata, G., d'Hooghe, P., Hunt, K. (eds) Muscle and Tendon Injuries. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-54184-5_32

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-54184-5_32

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