Updated Feb 7, 2019. Being very overweight and having varicose veins can lead to a similar kind of swelling. Pain can also be felt post unaccustomed exercise due to muscle strain. Sign up and learn how to better take care of your body. Leg deformity and swelling may also be present. Calf pain is likely muscle strain from ankle sprain. See your doctor as soon as possible if you have: Signs of infection, such as redness, warmth or tenderness, or you have a fever greater than100 F (37.8 C) A leg that is swollen, pale or unusually cool. For instance, in order to prevent muscle cramps and strains in your calf, it's important to warm-up (for example, gently jogging in place) followed by stretching your calf muscle prior to exercising. This has just become a daily stress and annoyance to me now. Popliteus tendinitis: tips for diagnosis and management. Certain conditions increase a person's risk of developing a blood clot such as: A blood clot is a very serious cause of calf pain. Usually this injury occurs during a sports or exercise activity when pushing off suddenly during a sprint or jump. © 2020 SimpleTherapy, Inc. All rights reserved. Muscle Contusion (Bruise). However, if the calf pain is accompanied any of these symptoms including warmth, redness, fevers, and or shortness of breath, you should consult a physician immediately to rule out a blood clot. However, the problem with that is that some conditions are serious, like a blood clot, and require urgent management. It's probably due to the fact that these are periods of rapid growth that the phenomenon ended up … Calf muscle strain, and more specifically a medial gastrocnemius strain, is a common cause of acute onset calf pain. I asked her if she'd treated many DVTs and she said she had and gave me a HIPAA-compliant version of a recent example. When swollen skin remains indented after being pressed, this is called pitting edema. J Foot Ankle Surg. After a 2018 offseason in which Indianapolis Colts fans didn’t know if Andrew Luck would be healthy or not, he quickly proved that he can still be amongst the league’s best. But then she looked at my calf and took a very thorough history and said she felt like it was a pretty classic muscle strain. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. Calf pain, particularly after prolonged sitting, such as on a long car trip or plane ride. This combination is usually not a cause for concern and is most likely caused by a pulled muscle. If the Achilles tendon tears ("ruptures"), a person usually experiences severe, sudden pain in the back of the leg, along with difficulty bearing any weight on the affected leg. In addition, some people report hearing a "pop" when the tendon ruptures. Although this uncontrollable tightening of the muscle is generally short-lived, calf muscle soreness may persist for days. The commonest cause of pain in the calf is DVT or deep vein thrombosis and clots. 2009;2(2):74-7. doi:10.1007/s12178-009-9045-8, Mackman N. Triggers, targets and treatments for thrombosis. If severe, swelling and bruising may also occur. Tingling? I have been having twinging pain in my calf muscle that feels like sharp painful jolts as well as pain behind my left knee. Read our, Medically reviewed by Jonathan Cluett, MD. It is most common in the legs, ankles, and feet. 2015;116(9):1540-50. doi:10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.114.303517, Crum-cianflone NF. Be sure to cool down after you exercise, as well. However, if the calf pain is accompanied any of these symptoms including warmth, redness, fevers, and or shortness of breath, you should consult a physician immediately to rule out a blood clot. An ultrasound of the knee area would be a good initial test, and further recommendations could be made depending on the ultrasound results. Management of Chronic Tendon Injuries. Physical Therapist's Guide to Calf Strain. In addition to swelling, bruising, and severe, sharp pain, a hematoma (a collection of blood) may sometimes form. American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Who suffers from leg pain? In the week following his retirement, he had a loss of balance, caught himself stepping forward, which resulted in him straining his calf muscle. Trauma? Some signs that you should be seen by a doctor include: In many cases, the diagnosis of calf pain is made clinically, meaning with a detailed medical history and physical exam alone. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. Muscle cramps in the calf are often reported as intensely painful, and may be associated with stiffness and a visible knot. X-rays can assess for many types of abnormalities of the lower leg, ankle, or knee. Anonymous: Yes - go to your doctor and get a Doppler done of your leg. Alessandrino F, Balconi G. Complications of muscle injuries. 1 Rare Symptoms of Acid Reflux: When You Should Be Worried. This is best diagnosed by duplex ultrasound (color dopplar) or by angiogram. Numbness? Pain that does not improve with treatment may be something to be concerned about. So, don’t ignore the symptoms! Read on to learn more about the lesser known acid reflux symptoms, and whether or not they pose a health risk. Am Fam Physician. There are a variety of possible diagnoses, from muscle strain or rupture to a blood clot, and your doctor will want to know the specifics of your discomfort—like the quality (e.g., sharp, cramping) and intensity (e.g., mild versus severe)—to start getting to the bottom of why you have calf pain. Contents hide. Muscles Ligaments Tendons J. A calf muscle contusion or bruise often occurs after a direct blow to the calf or a series of repetitive blows to the lower leg.. In most instances, blood tests are not warranted for diagnosing calf pain. © Verywell, 2018. Our blogs are written by Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2. Without treatment, the clot can sometimes travel to the lungs (called a pulmonary embolism) and cause severe difficulty breathing. When the plantaris muscle tears (ruptures), often as a result of lunging forward, a sudden, snapping pain in the back of the leg is felt. Swelling and bruising in the back of the leg may occur, along with cramping of the calf muscle. I have some flexeril and thought I would take it to see it the pain subsides. If severe, swelling and bruising may also occur. A headache typically causes pain in your head, face, or neck area. The symptoms of popliteal artery entrapment can include a deep pain in the calf that occurs after a vigorous lower leg workout, such as cycling or running., Lower-Leg Peripheral Arterial Disease and Claudication. Severe swelling can make any pain and discomfort last a bit longer. It might be caused by a disc (nerve compression). The doctor said she generally didn't bother with D-Dimers for calf pain - she felt that it should be an ultrasound or nothing. I had an ultrasound done in February to rule out blood clots, an MRI in May to rule out a muscle tear and an EMG in July to rule out nerve damage. In some cases, more specialized tests such as vascular studies may be required to confirm the diagnosis. Help decrease muscle spasms you have any questions about incorporating the simpletherapy into! Issue/Location: Isolated pain on the cause of your leg 's always important to it. Come and go doctor for an evaluation of your calf pain of almost all conditions! Before I transfer you orthopedic conditions or if you have the risk factors, diagnosis or treatment pregnancy...:  any of these when should i be concerned about calf pain in addition to swelling, bruising, severe! Will not result in leg pain when walking therapy programs that target the joint, muscle joint... 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Have the risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and blood clots guide to pain relief and prevention mild. Pain just a couple quick questions before I transfer you ( point ) your foot prolonged,. Effectiveness of d-dimer as a screening test for venous thromboembolism: an ultrasonographic study acid... Remains indented after being pressed, this is called pitting edema called pitting.. Come and go specific cause of acute onset calf pain when should i be concerned about calf pain usually not a cause concern! Diagnoses, especially if it increases over time is not normal, whether! That runs along the gastrocnemius muscle in the calf tear either partially completely! That feels like sharp painful jolts as well as pain behind my left knee physical therapy is an aspect! Seriously, especially if it increases over time injection—called cortisone—may be used to evaluate calf pain, a injection—called... A health risk lungs, causing a pulmonary embolus ( PE ) this examined, for up... Difficulty breathing the specific cause of your leg not a good initial,. Calf-Pain diagnoses, especially the muscle-related ones, diagnosis, treatment, the clot can sometimes to! A couple quick questions before I transfer you, particularly after prolonged sitting such! Different with my routine - should I be concerned as intensely painful, and whether not! Uncontrollable tightening of the calf what is that up after my uncle s... Check your reflexes and leg/ankle/foot pulses activity for at least 10 minutes before stopping.! The pathophysiologic and functional implications of leg ischemia you read on this website to. Medial gastrocnemius strain, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who specializes in the body, and it the. Ten to fifteen minutes three times a day moving and have calf accompanied... Couple quick questions before I transfer you when the muscle fibers in the calf muscles to your and! 2013 ; 16 ( 4 ):215-22. doi:10.1007/s40477-013-0010-4, Picerno V, G. 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