Muscle Name: gastrocnemius - medial head

AKA:  

Abbreviation: MG

Spinal Nerve Roots:
    S1
    S2
Plexus:
    lumbosacral plexus

Named Nerves:
    tibial nerve

    sciatic nerve

Proximal Attachment:  Medial condyle of the femur.

Distal Attachment:  Calcaneus

Action: Plantar flexes the foot and flexes the knee.

Needle Insertion: Into the posteromedial aspect of the calf muscle approximately 10-12 centimeters distal to the medial aspect of the knee.

Activation for EMG:  Have the patient plantar flex the foot. The patient may have be able to activate the muscle easier if the knee is bent.

Pitfalls:  This can be a very difficult muscle to activate.

Notes: