The medial gastrocnemius head is larger and reaches more distally than the lateral head. It is the most common site of gastrocnemius tear (tennis leg) at the myotendinous junction.
| Origin | Posterior medial femoral condyle — above the joint line |
|---|---|
| Insertion | Merges with lateral head forming the Achilles tendon |
| Nerve Supply | Tibial nerve (S1, S2) |
| Blood Supply | Sural arteries |
| Actions | Plantarflexes the ankle; Flexes the knee; Energy storage during running |
|---|
Medial gastrocnemius tear produces acute posteromedial calf pain in middle-aged athletes. Ultrasound demonstrates the intramuscular haematoma. Conservative management is standard. The medial head is used as a rotational flap for proximal tibial wound coverage.
The medial calf bulk — palpated during resisted plantarflexion with knee extended.
Myotendinous junction tear producing acute posteromedial calf pain with palpable defect, managed conservatively with compression and gradual loading.
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