There are many different causes of calf pain.
The most common causes ofcalf painare relatively harmless and readily treatable.
This is especially true if the pain is persistent, severe, or worsening.
Verywell / Joshua Seong
Getting a proper diagnosis can ensure you get the treatment you need.
Serious Causes of Calf Pain
Calf pain is often brought on by muscle strain or cramps.
If you experience symptoms of these conditions, verify to see a healthcare provider.
Achilles Tendonitis or Rupture
The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body.
It is located on the back side of your leg and connects your calf muscle to your heel bone.
While anyone can get osteomyelitis, it’s more common in children 5 years old or younger.
You may feel it after experiencing a fall or blow to your leg.
Injuries can affect the bones, muscles, tendons, and nerves.
If the trauma was severe, check that to seek medical care right away.
This can also happen if the broken bone does not heal properly.
To prevent this from happening, you may need a cast or possibly surgery.
Small tears in the muscle fibers cause the pain.
Gastrocnemiusstrains often happen during sports or activities that involve sprinting or jumping, including tennis and soccer.
If untreated, this may lead to a muscle tear.
As a result, the blood vessels leak into the muscle tissues.
This small, superficial muscle is situated behind the knee and runs between the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles.
Some people may also experience cramping.
Fortunately, this injury tends to heal on its own.
Peroneal Nerve Entrapment
Nerve entrapment happens when calf nerves become compressed by the surrounding tissues.
This is often referred to as apinched nerveand can happen due to overuse or sudden trauma.
Theperonealnerve is most prone to nerve entrapment.
Your popliteus tendon and popliteus muscle work together to rotate and stabilize your knee.
Popliteus tendonitis happens when the tendon is inflamed, usually due to overuse.
It causes pain just above the calf and in the back and side of the knee.
The pain worsens when walking or running downhill.
In rare cases, the popliteus tendon can also tear.
The injury causes pain and bleeding in the knee joint.
Other Causes
Sometimes, calf pain is not a result of a specific trauma.
Calf Muscle Cramp
Acalf muscle crampis a sudden, involuntary contraction of one or more calf muscles.
These are often referred to as “Charley horses.”
Around 3037% of all people experience calf cramps.The cramps can last between a few seconds and 10 minutes.
It also stabilizes your posture as you walk or run, preventing you from falling forward.
How Long Do Calf Strains Last?
This is common in people who have arthritis.
It sends nerve impulses back and forth between the leg and spine and controls leg motion.
As with many chronic pain conditions, some people find they have more calf muscle pain at night.
This can restrict blood flow in the leg.
The condition may be congenital (present at birth) or develop over time.
It is commonly seen in young athletes as their popliteal artery becomes compressed while their body is still growing.
Who Is At Greater Risk For Calf Pain?
It can also be due to certain medical conditions that require treatment of an underlying medical issue.
Other tests may be performed based on the initial findings.
Be sure to tell them about any recent injury or trauma you may have had.
They may also check your reflexes and feel for your pulse in your leg, ankle, and foot.
They will likely perform other special tests if they suspect a certain diagnosis.
TheThompson testis one example.
Your healthcare provider then squeezes your calf muscle.
If your toes do not flex downward, an Achilles tendon rupture would be suspected.
If your healthcare provider suspects a blood clot, they may order a vascular study to confirm the diagnosis.
This throw in of ultrasound is used to check the blood flow in your veins and arteries.
Your healthcare provider may suggest medication, physical therapy, or other treatments, depending on your diagnosis.
Also, dont walk or strain the muscle.
If the pain or loss of mobility is severe, have the injury checked by a healthcare provider.
It’s important to stretch regularly and use proper stretching techniques to prevent further injuries.
Consult with a physical therapist to learn a stretching routine that suits your injury.
Physical therapy is an important part of treatment for almost all orthopedic conditions.
Less commonly, acortisone steroid injectionmay be used to treat certain causes of calf pain.
These are just a few examples.
Some causes are brought on by a sudden trauma or injury and require immediate medical care.
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