Calf Pain

With spring just around the corner, we are starting to see patients arriving at our clinics with calf pain. The calf consists of three muscles: the gastrocnemius, the soleus, and the plantaris.

What is causing my calf pain?

There are many causes of calf pain, but some are more common than others. The most common injury we see in the calf is a muscle strain. This injury often presents with pain, swelling, and sometimes bruising. It usually occurs during exercise or sporting activities. The gastrocnemius is the most commonly strained muscle in the calf.

Rupturing of the plantaris muscle is another cause of calf pain, which typically manifests as an immediate snapping pain. This injury is only possible in part of the population because not everyone has a plantaris muscle. Additionally, because the plantaris muscle provides no function, non-surgical treatment options are used.

When a Baker’s cyst ruptures, it leaks fluid from the back of the knee. When the cyst is very large, the fluid can enter the calf, which causes pain.

More serious conditions associated with calf pain include blood clots. A blood clot can appear after an injury or surgical intervention. Blood clots that form in the deep veins of the leg are referred to as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and they can contribute to swelling and pain in the calf. It is imperative to diagnose DVT because the condition can travel to the lungs and cause problems with breathing.

When should I walk-in to DOC?

Many calf injuries will improve on their own. You can aid the healing process by limiting your physical activity and taking anti-inflammatory medications. In some cases, it may be worthwhile for patients to see a healthcare provider. If a patient is experiencing persistent pain, increased swelling, signs of infection, pain when resting, or if the patient cannot walk normally on the injured leg, they should come in to be evaluated.

There are many treatment options for the diverse calf injuries that patients sustain. Patients can try to rest, apply ice or heat, stretch, take anti-inflammatories, or receive physical therapy. A provider at DOC can help guide a patient through the treatment options and prescribe necessary medications or physical therapy regimes. Most calf pain complaints can be treated non-invasively and conservatively by a physician assistant here at Direct Orthopedic Care.