What is the difference between a pulled calf muscle and a blood clot? How can you tell if you have a calf cramp or a deep vein thrombosis (DVT)? Learn the key signs and symptoms to identify the cause of your calf pain.

Common Causes of Calf Muscle Pain

Calf muscle pain is a common problem that can make walking, running, and jumping difficult and painful. Pain in the calf region may be due to injury, an underlying medical condition, or a problem in the nerves or arteries in the lower leg, meaning accurate diagnosis is vital.

While calf muscle pain is often something minor like a grade one muscle strain, the problem may not actually be in the muscle itself and could be indicative of a serious problem such as a DVT, so it should always be treated with caution.

Calf Tear

Calf muscle pain is often caused by a tear in the muscle, which occurs when it is overstretched. This can be a partial or complete tear in one of the calf muscles. The most common causes are sprinting, a sudden push off from a stationary position, or a quick change of direction. Symptoms include instant calf muscle pain, bruising, and swelling. If there is a complete rupture, the person may be unable to push up on their tiptoes.

Calf Cramps

Calf muscle pain can also be caused by cramping in the muscle, which are involuntary spasms that can be extremely painful, also known as a “Charley Horse.” The causes can include an imbalance of vitamins or minerals, muscle fatigue, diet, dehydration, and muscle imbalance. Symptoms include upper calf pain, tightness, and spasming, as well as difficulty walking. The cramps can last from a few seconds to a few days.

Bakers Cyst

A Bakers Cyst is a collection of excess fluid in the popliteal bursa behind the knee, which can cause calf muscle pain. This can be caused by knee swelling from an injury or an underlying condition like arthritis or gout. Symptoms include swelling behind the knee, upper calf muscle pain that worsens with activity, and bruising around the ankle.

Achilles Tendonopathy

Achilles tendonitis, which is inflammation, degeneration, or tearing of the inflexible Achilles tendon, is a common cause of lower calf muscle pain. This is often caused by repetitive stress through the tendon, such as from jumping, running, or overstretching. Symptoms include lower calf pain, thickening in the Achilles tendon, pain on tiptoes, and ankle stiffness.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

A deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a very serious cause of calf pain that requires immediate medical attention. It is the formation of a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the calf or thigh, which can reduce blood flow to the foot and potentially break off and travel to the heart or lungs, causing a heart attack or pulmonary embolus. The common signs of a DVT are pain, redness, warmth, and swelling in the calf region, and the pain often gets worse when you dorsiflex your foot (pull your toes up towards you). DVTs often develop after surgery or periods of inactivity, such as long plane journeys, and there can be a genetic link.

Trapped Nerve

Compression of the nerves in the lower leg can also cause calf muscle pain, as well as pins and needles and numbness in the calf region. The compression may be coming from the lower back where the nerve originates, or at any point along the nerve itself. Trapped nerves are usually accompanied by changes in sensation, and the pain often spreads. Any symptoms of nerve compression should be checked out by a doctor.

Muscle Imbalance

Muscle weakness and tightness is a common cause of calf muscle pain. Weak muscles will tire quickly if you are on your feet for prolonged periods, so it is important to work on both strength and endurance. If the calf is tight, it is prone to damage from increased tension, making stretching exercises vital. Exercises are the best way to combat this, and it is important to get the right balance of strengthening and stretching exercises.

In summary, while calf muscle pain is often caused by a minor injury like a muscle strain, it can also be a sign of a more serious condition like a DVT. It is important to accurately diagnose the cause of the pain in order to receive the appropriate treatment. If you are experiencing persistent or severe calf pain, it is best to seek medical attention.

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CALF MUSCLE PAIN
You are Not sure what is causing your calf pain? Check out –
Calf muscle pain is a common problem that can make walking, running and jumping difficult and painful.
Pain in the calf region may be due to injury, underlying medical condition or a problem in the nerves or arteries in the lower leg, meaning accurate diagnosis is vital.
Whilst calf muscle pain is often something minor like a grade one muscle strain, the problem may not actually be in the muscle itself and could be indicative of a serious problem such as a DVT so should always be treated with caution.
Common Causes of Calf Muscle Pain
Let’s start by looking at the most common causes of calf muscle pain, how they present and what causes them.
Calf Tear
Calf muscles pain is often caused by a tear in the muscle which it is overstretched
Partial or complete tear in one of the calf muscles from overstretching. Most common cause of calf muscle pain
Causes: Sprinting, sudden push off from stationary position, quick change of direction
Symptoms: Instant calf muscle pain, bruising, swelling. If complete rupture, unable to push up on tiptoe
Calf Cramps
Calf muscle pain is often caused by cramping in the muscle
Involutary spasms on the calf muscles which can be extremely painful. aka “Charley Horse”
Causes: imbalance of vitamins/minerals, muscle fatigue, diet, dehydration and muscle imbalance
Symptoms: Upper calf pain, tightness and spasming, difficulty walking. May last anything from a few seconds to a few days
Bakers Cyst
A Bakers Cyst is a collection of fluid behind the knee that often causes calf muscle pain
Collection of excess fluid in the popliteal bursa behind the knee which can burst releasing fluid into the upper calf
Causes: Knee swelling from injury or underlying condition e. g. arthritis or gout
Symptoms: Swelling behind the knee, upper calf muscle pain, worse with activity, bruising around ankle
Achilles Tendonopathy
Achilles tendonitis can occur in different parts of the tendon, both causing calf pain
Inflammation, degeneration or tearing of the inflexible achilles tendon. Most common cause of lower calf muscle pain
Causes: repetitive stress through the tendon, jumping , running, overstretching
Symptoms: lower calf pain, thickening in the achilles tendon, pain on tiptoes, ankle stiffness
Other Causes of Calf Pain
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
DVT’s usually present with pain, swelling, redness and warmth in the calf region
A deep vein thrombosis can be a very serious cause of calf pain. It is the formation of a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the calf or thigh.
A DVT requires IMMEDIATE medical attention as it reduces the blood flow to the foot, and there is the risk that the blood clot could break off and travel through the bloodstream to the heart or lungs which can cause a heart attack or pulmonary embolus.
The common signs of a DVT are pain, redness, warmth and swelling in the calf region. The pain often gets worse if your dorsiflex your foot (pull your toes up towards you).
DVT’s often develop after surgery or periods of inactivity e.g. plane journeys, and there can be a genetic link.
Trapped Nerve
Compression of the nerves of the lower leg can cause pain in the calf, pins and needles and numbness in the calf region.
A trapped nerve can cause calf muscle pain, numbness and pins and needles
The compression may be coming from the lower back where the nerve originates from, or at any point along the nerve itself.
Trapped nerves are usually accompanied by changes in sensation such as pins tingling or numbness and pain often spreads.
Any symptoms of nerve compression, should be checked out by your doctor. You can find out more in the nerve pain section on our sister site.
Muscle Imbalance
Muscle weakness and tightness is a common cause of calf muscle pain. Weak muscles will tire quickly if you are on your feet for prolonged periods of time, so it is important to work on both strength and endurance.
If the calf is tight, it is prone to damage from increased tension, making stretching exercises vital.
Exercises are the best way to combat this and it important to get the right balance of strengthening and stretching exercises – visit the calf strengthening and calf stretching exercises sections for a whole range of exercises that will help combat this cause of calf muscle pain.
Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD)
Also known as peripheral artery disease, this is when there is a narrowing in the arteries which slows blood flow. If this happens in the lower leg, it can cause calf muscle pain.
Peripheral Vascular Disease is commonly associated with smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. In severe cases, the foot and lower leg may change colour – this warrants immediate medical attention.
Calf Muscle Pain Treatment
The best calf muscle pain treatment will depend on the underlying cause of the pain. If there is damage to one of the calf muscles, then usually a combination of strengthening and stretching exercises alongside a course of physical therapy will be recommended. In more severe cases, such as a complete tear, then surgery may be required.
Calf Pain With Activities
Calf Pain Walking
Calf muscle pain when walking is usually the result of reduced blood flow, and therefore lack of oxygen, to the calf muscles and usually settles down quickly with rest. Pain that persists even after resting may indicate a more serious problem such as peripheral vascular disease.
Calf Pain In Runners
Calf pain running is typically caused by the muscles being overloaded. Any sudden increase in running activities, be it distance, speed, surface, or the introduction of speed or uphill work, can overload the calf muscles resulting in pain.
A lack of strength or endurance in the calf muscles is a common cause of calf pain in runners. A good test is to stand on 1 leg and push up onto your tiptoes then slowly lower back down. If you can do this 30 times on each leg, it indicates good calf muscle strength and endurance
Calf Muscle Twitching
A twitching sensation in the calf muscles often indicates benign fasciculation syndrome, a condition due to a harmless disorder of the nerves that activate the calf muscles. The calf muscle twitching usually stops when you use the calf muscle e.g. walking, but will often return when you rest.
Calf muscle twitching can also be the first sign of cramp, or that you have overworked the muscles. In rare instances, the twitching may indicate a more serious condition such as Lyme Disease, Multiple Sclerosis or Motor Neurone Disease.

Calf Pain At Night
It is very common to be more aware of pain at night as there are less distractions around. Calf muscle pain at night is often caused by nocturnal cramps which will usually wake you up. They tend to settle fairly quickly if you stretch the calf muscles.
Calf muscle pain at night can also indicate restless leg syndrome, where you have an overwhelming urge to keep moving your legs.
Calf Muscle Tightening
Tight calf muscles is usually the result of overuse such as long distance running, particularly if you don’t warm up and cool down properly. Calf tightness can also develop after an injury, either in the calf itself or an ankle injury.
Stretching exercises focusing on each of the calf muscles, gastrocnemius and soleus, when done daily are usually the best way to overcome calf muscle tightening
Calf Muscle Knot
The technical term for calf muscles knots is myofascial trigger points. This is where a small area of muscle fibres and the underlying fascia tighten forming small lumps in the muscle, like a knot.
They may only hurt when you press on there, or in some cases they can cause pain at anytime for no obvious reason. Knots typically develop after a calf muscle injury but can also be related to poor posture, stress and prolonged inactivity.
Sudden Calf Pain
The most common cause of sudden calf pain is a calf muscle strain, where part of the calf muscle is overstretched causing it to tear. It typically occurs during sports and may be accompanied by bruising and swelling. Calf cramps can also develop very suddenly, either during activity or at rest.
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Pain is not a lifestyle

2019-05-23T18:02:30

Treatment, symptoms, recovery, and exercises

A pulled or strained calf muscle affects the muscles and tendons in the back of the lower leg. It can decrease mobility making it difficult to walk.

A person may feel pain in the:

• gastrocnemius muscle
• soleus muscle
• plantaris muscle
• Achilles tendon

A strain refers to an injured muscle or tendon. Tendons are the cords of tissue that connect muscles to bones. A strain occurs when the fibers of the muscle or tendon partially or completely tear.

This article discusses the symptoms of a pulled calf muscle and explains how doctors diagnose and treat it. It also provides a list of useful stretches that people can use to aid recovery.

The symptoms of a pulled calf muscle vary depending on the severity of the injury. Mild muscle strain can cause pain that feels similar to post-workout soreness.

A severe strain can cause intense, even debilitating, pain that can make walking difficult or impossible until the muscle heals.

Other symptoms of a strained calf muscle include:

• swelling and redness
• difficulty moving the leg and decreased mobility
• weakness in the calf muscle
• pain, particularly when trying to move the muscle

In general, someone with a pulled or strained calf muscle should rest to prevent further damage to the muscle.

A doctor may recommend additional treatments and medications depending on the severity of the injury.

The following treatments may provide symptom relief for people with a mild sprain:

• Ice and heat therapy: During the first 2 days, people should apply a cold compress to the calf for 20 minutes up to eight times per day. Doing so can help reduce inflammation and relieve muscle pain. After this time, hot packs can help ease muscle soreness and stiffness.
• Wraps and bandages: Wrapping the injured calf in an elastic bandage or compression sock can help prevent swelling and inflammation.
• Elevation of the injured leg: People can rest their leg on a pillow or a rolled-up blanket or towel. Doing this will help decrease swelling.
• Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers: People can take a pain reliever, such as ibuprofen, to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.

Depending on the severity of the injury, a pulled calf muscle can take several weeks or months to heal. A doctor may recommend surgery to treat a severely strained or torn calf muscle.

Muscle injuries can damage nearby blood vessels, which may cause localized bleeding under the skin.

Blood cells that collect in muscle tissue can form a hematoma or a blood clot. A doctor can use a minimally invasive procedure called aspiration to treat a hematoma.

Some activities, such as prolonged walking, running, or playing team sports, can further damage a pulled calf muscle. People should rest and avoid strenuous activity while their calf muscle heals.

However, it is possible to use gentle stretches and physical therapy to maintain mobility and stabilize the knee and ankle joints while the calf heals.

Helpful stretches include:

Standing wall stretch

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To perform this stretch, a person should:

1. Stand in front of a wall and place both hands firmly against the wall at shoulder level.
2. Step the unaffected leg toward the wall while keeping the injured leg straight.
3. Bend the front knee so the hips and chest move toward the wall. Gently deepen the bend to produce a light stretch in the back leg.
4. Hold this position for 15–30 seconds and release.

Standing toe-raise stretch

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To perform the standing toe-raise stretch, a person should:

1. Find a wall, countertop, or chair to hold on to for balance.
2. Place a book or similar-size object on the floor.
3. Place the balls of the feet on top of the book and keep the heels on the floor.
4. Carefully lean forward while keeping the knees straight.
5. For a deeper stretch, try using a thicker book.

Standing heel-raise

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To perform this exercise, a person should:

1. Stand facing a wall, countertop, or chair back to hold on to for balance.
2. Lift the body up on the balls of the feet.
3. Hold this position for 3–5 seconds, and then lower the heels to the ground.
4. For an extra stretch, try doing the heel raise while standing on a block or heavy book.

Foot flexion

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For the foot flexion, a person should:

1. Sit on the floor with both legs straight in front of the body.
2. Reach forward and wrap a resistance band, pair of tights, or other rolled-up cloth around the feet.
3. Keeping the legs straight, gently flex the foot backward while keeping the heel on the floor.
4. Try to pull the toes toward the body to deepen the stretch.
5. Hold the stretch for 3–5 seconds.

Several types of events can cause a person to pull or strain their calf muscle. Some examples of how a person may pull their calf include:

• not warming up before exercising
• participating in strenuous sporting activities
• putting too much strain on the calf muscle
• not wearing proper footwear while running or participating in sports or strenuous activities
• recovering from a recent injury

To diagnose a pulled calf muscle, a doctor typically needs to perform a physical examination, during which they will check for swelling, bruising, and redness. They may also ask the person to describe any recent changes to their physical activity routine.

Muscle injuries fall into three broad categories, or grades, based on the severity of a person’s symptoms and the extent of the muscle damage.

• Grade 1 (mild): Grade 1 injuries cause minimal muscle damage, although there may be a sharp pain at the time of the injury. This type of injury carries a low risk of long-term complications.
• Grade 2 (moderate): Grade 2 injuries cause moderate muscle damage, and people with this category of muscle injury may have difficulty walking. They will often experience a sharp pain that worsens when they flex or extend their foot.
• Grade 3 (severe): A grade 3 injury is a complete tear of the muscle, and it can cause significant bruising and swelling in the calf.

Most people with a pulled calf muscle will not need surgery. Resting the injured leg and keeping it elevated can help speed the recovery process.

People should wait until their calf muscle heals completely before resuming regular physical activities.

Using a muscle before it heals can prolong the recovery process of the initial injury. In some cases, it can even cause a second injury.

A person should talk with their doctor or physical therapist about how long it will take to recover from the strain. Recovery time can vary based on:

• the grade or severity of the injury
• how well a person can rest the muscle
• a person’s adherence to the treatment plan

According to FitToPlay, the average number of days a person has to sit out from a sport following a strain is about 13 days, with full recovery within 28 days. However, people with more serve injuries can take several months to fully recover.

Without treatment, a pulled calf muscle may recur or worsen over time.

Some potential complications include:

• formation of scar tissue
• chronic pain or dysfunction in muscle
• compartment syndrome
• reinjury
• formation of deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Therefore, a person should seek medical attention shortly after sustaining an injury and begin resting the muscle immediately.

Other reasons to consider seeking medical attention for a pulled calf muscle include:

• sustaining another significant injury
• having little success with at-home treatments, such as resting, applying an ice pack, or using OTC pain relievers

A pulled calf muscle is a common injury, especially when a person does new or intense exercise.

In most cases, people can treat a pulled calf muscle at home with rest, cold and hot packs, compression, and elevation. A person may find over-the-counter pain medications helpful as well.

If the injury is severe or the pain does not improve over time, it is best to see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

All about pain and swelling in the calf muscle: causes, diagnosis and treatment

Pain and swelling in the calf muscle is a common symptom that can be a sign of a number of pathologies. Some of the most common causes include:

Muscle cramps and muscle spasms in the calves can be very painful. They happen more and more with age. According to medical estimates, about 75% of patients over 50 have ever experienced calf cramps. Leg cramps occur both during the day and at night. They are caused by several factors, including pregnancy, dehydration, certain medications, and certain health conditions.

Main features:

• cramps in the legs
• feeling of stiffness in the ankle – stiffness of the ankle
• pain in the calves
• pain in the lower leg

90 002 The gastrocnemius muscle consists of 2 main muscles – the gastrocnemius and the acetabular. Because these 2 muscles converge over the heel and attach to the Achilles tendon, some physicians refer to the calf and acetabular muscles as one large, two-part muscle. In addition to these 2 large muscles, a small muscle called the plantar muscle runs between the calf and acetabular muscles along the entire length of the lower leg. Doctors call these 3 muscles the triceps. The most common calf injury is muscle strain. This happens when muscle fibers are overstressed or torn. It usually occurs as a result of strenuous exercise or overuse. This injury is common in activities such as running and sports that require jumping or quick stops and starts, such as football, basketball, and volleyball. Tennis leg is a type of muscle stretch that involves the calf muscle. Doctors call the condition “tennis leg” because it usually occurs when the leg is extended and the foot is flexed, but it can happen in any sport.

Main features:

• shin pain
• ankle pain
• calf pain
• foot pain
• inability to weight the ankle and foot

9 0009 swelling of the lower leg

• swelling of the ankle
• redness of the ankle
• bruising and bruising

The gastrocnemius is the biceps muscle at the back of the leg. Includes 3 muscles that help walk, run, jump, stand on toes and bend the foot. Compartment syndrome is a serious life-threatening condition that occurs when pressure builds up inside the calf muscle, which reduces the flow of blood and oxygen. The injury can be the result of an injury, such as a fracture, or intense physical activity.

Main features:

• pain in the back of the knee
• redness of the ankle
• leg cramps
• swelling of the lower leg
• pain in the lower leg

9000 9 calf pain

Chronic compartment syndrome is an exercise-induced muscle disease and nerves. This often causes pain and swelling. This disease can develop in any patient, but is most common in young adult runners and athletes. The cause of chronic compartment syndrome is not fully understood. When playing sports, the muscles increase in volume. The tissue that surrounds the affected muscle does not expand with it, causing pressure and pain in the affected limb. Other causes may be excessive stress on the muscles during exercise, especially inflexible fascia around the affected muscle compartment, or high pressure in the veins. Exercising too intensely or too frequently can also increase your risk of chronic tension syndrome.

Main features:

• burning sensation in the legs
• pain in the calves
• decreased range of motion of the ankle
• inability to weight the ankle and foot
• swelling of the lower leg 9001 0
• pain in lower leg
• burning sensation in ankle
• burning sensation in knee
• ankle pain
• lameness
• numbness and tingling of the lower leg
• muscle weakness

Hematoma is a subcutaneous mass caused by the accumulation of blood from damaged blood vessels under the skin. The most common type of hematoma is a common bruise. However, this condition includes much more severe and complex cases that cannot be left without qualified medical care, since with the formation of extensive hematomas there is a risk of infection and the development of suppuration. Bruises are the main cause of hematomas. The patient may be injured due to any strong mechanical impact, such as a blow or a fall. In addition to bruises, the causes of hematomas are intense compression and stretching of tissues during dislocations or fractures and surgical intervention. A hematoma that occurs after surgery is called a postoperative hematoma.

Main features:

• bruising and bruising
• lump or lump
• swelling of the lower leg
• pain in the lower leg

The sural nerve is under the surface of the skin in the back of the leg. It is part of the peripheral nervous system that helps the brain communicate with the rest of the body. The sural nerve contains tiny thread-like fibers (axons). A fatty substance, myelin, binds them together into nerve bundles. These bundles travel up the body to connect with the spinal cord. This network of neural tissue allows nerve signals to travel quickly to and from the brain. The sural nerve provides sensation to the skin in the following areas of the body: the back of the leg, below the knee, the outside of the foot, and the ankle. A pinched sural nerve occurs when nearby tissue thickens and presses on the nerve.

Main features:

• burning sensation in the legs
• numbness and tingling of the lower leg
• pain in the lower leg
• pain in the calves
• burning sensation in the ankle 9001 0
• Burning sensation in the knee
• Pain in the knee

Stress fracture is a fracture of a bone caused by fatigue failure due to repeated loading. It occurs when the load on the bone exceeds its ability to resist and regenerate. When a series of micro-fractures goes undiagnosed and bone overload continues, a stress fracture can become an actual bone fracture. Often, stress fractures occur when the bone is weakened by arthritis, osteoporosis, or cancer. The pain of a stress fracture is usually dull and increases during physical activity. Left untreated, chronic pain can significantly reduce a patient’s quality of life.

Main features:

• lameness
• pain in the legs
• decreased range of motion of the ankle
• bone deformity
• swelling of the ankle
• pain in the foot ankle joint
• leg swelling
• leg pain

Spiral fracture is a fracture bone that occurs when a torque is applied along the axis of the bone. In a spiral fracture, the broken bone resembles a corkscrew or spiral staircase because it occurs diagonally across the bone, which is longer than it is wide. Spiral fractures occur when one limb, such as the foot, rests on the ground while the body remains in motion. It is usually the result of a sports injury or a fall from a short distance. Although spiral fractures can occur in any long bone, they most commonly occur in the tibia. Spiral fractures are most likely in the following bones: tibia; short leg bone, located parallel to the tibia; the talus, located at the ankle between the tibia and fibula.

Main features:

• deformity of the bone
• protrusion of the bone from under the skin
• lameness
• feeling of stiffness in the ankle – stiffness of the ankle
• swelling of the ankle and
• shin pain

Soft tissue sarcomas of the shin are a group of rare malignant neoplasms that develop from adipose tissue, muscle and fibrous tissue, sheaths of peripheral nerves. This type of cancer is rare. Soft tissue sarcomas can develop in any tissue that supports, connects, surrounds, and protects body organs. These include: fat, muscle, nerves, fibrous tissue, tendons and ligaments, blood vessel. The causes of soft tissue sarcoma are unknown. There are certain factors that can affect your chance of developing soft tissue sarcoma. These are the so-called risk factors. The presence of risk factors does not necessarily mean that sarcoma will develop, and patients without risk factors can still develop it.

Main features:

• pain in the legs
• lameness
• swelling of the leg
• lump or bump
• pain in the leg

9000 2 Hyperostosis is an excessive growth of unchanged bone tissue. It can occur as an independent process or be a symptom of other diseases. Hyperostosis is caused by the deposition of calcium salts in ligaments and tendons, as well as compaction and abnormal growth of bone tissue. But what causes these phenomena is unknown. Men are more likely to acquire this disease. Hyperostosis is most common in the elderly, especially in patients over 50 years of age. Patients with type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis. Other conditions that can increase insulin levels in the body, including hyperinsulinemia, prediabetes, and obesity, also increase the risk of developing the disease.

Main features:

• pain in the ankle
• swelling of the ankle
• bone deformity
• swelling of the leg
• pain in the leg
• bone pain

In Achilles tendinitis, the Achilles tendon becomes inflamed – a band of tissue that connects the calf muscle to heel bone. This leads to stiffness and pain. The symptoms are worse in the morning, because at rest the circulation in this part of the body is limited.

Main features:

• pain in the lower leg
• pain in the ankle
• pain in the heel
• swelling of the lower leg
• swelling of the ankle
• reddening of the ankle
• decreased range of motion of the ankle
• decreased range of motion of the foot
• lameness
• stiffness in the ankle – ankle stiffness
• ankle pain
• foot pain

Duchenne is a muscular dystrophy that causes progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass.