What is Lower Leg Pain?
Coming on to the next category of leg pain, which is the lower leg region or the calves that do affect many people across the world. Our lower half of the leg, also known as the calf consists of two distinct muscles – the gastrocnemius and the soleus muscle.
Any kind of disruption in the activity of these muscles could end up causing pain and discomfort.
Lower Leg Pain Symptoms
The common symptoms that are often associated with calf pain include:
- Swelling and inflammation around the calf region
- Discoloration of the skin around the calf
- Tingling or numbing feeling around the calf region
- Fluid retention around the calf
- Redness or even tenderness around the calf
These are often common and general symptoms.
Lower Leg Muscles Anatomy
Both gastrocnemius and the soleus muscles coincide and meet at the Achilles tendon from where they are again directly attached to the heel and are responsible for the majority of our leg and foot motions in the body.
Calf Leg Pain Causes
The pain is often varying from person to person depending on the cause behind it. It can very well be something that starts out as a dull and aching pain to something very sharp and piercing if the condition worsens over time.
Let us take a look at some main causes behind the acute and the chronic calf pain, shall we?
Acute calf pain causes
- Muscle sprain
- Injury in the calf
- Ligament Tear
- Calf muscle cramp
- Fracture of the lower leg bone
Chronic calf pain causes
- Calf muscle contusion
- Soleus muscle tear and fatigue
- Plantaris muscle rupture
- A blood clot in the vessels around the calf and lower leg region
- Baker’s cyst
- Nerve entrapment
- Popliteal tendinitis
- Bone infection
- Diabetic peripheral neuropathy
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Compartment syndrome
Lower Leg Pain Emergencies
With the causes aside, it is time to focus on some alarming red flag symptoms that require for you to consult a doctor without a second doubt to it. You technically might not realize this but taking these symptoms for granted can definitely have quite a lot of negative impacts on your overall health.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned down below, consult a doctor immediately.
- Lack of mobility around in the leg on the affected side
- An injury that results in drastic deformity of the leg
- Constant sharp shooting pain around the calf which intensified during the night
- Pain that gets worse with days
- Swelling around the calf region or the joints around the ankle
- Fever and signs of infection.
Without knowing much about your overall medical history, the best advice I can give is for you to call the ambulance or visit the nearest hospital.
I have always found my calf muscles very tight and achy. I have tried daily stretching but nothing seems to loosen them up. Could there be something more serious wrong or am I just getting old? When I read through your article it then makes me concerned even more.
Have you any articles on knee joint pain too as I suffer from this too? Could they be linked I wonder?
Dear Martin,
Thanks for your comment.
Some of the causes for calf pain can be diagnosed only following palpation (physical examination), blood tests, X-ray and/or Ultrasound, and therefore, there is no way I can help you with coming up with a diagnosis. I am sorry.
The article intends to educate our community so they understand the range of diseases which can be associated with the condition and what to do next. In your case, I would suggest you approach your family doctor for recommendations based on your personal circumstances.
I have liked a few articles about knee pain below.
Causes of Knee Pain
Remedies for Knee Pain
I hope the above helps.
Okay, I now have a Calf Leg Pain. Sometimes, it is accompanied by cramps and it usually happens at night when I am already in bed. I thought it was due to the electric fan that’s making rounds while I’m asleep, but then after reading your article, I learned it’s a serious health problem that I should put much attention.
I’d like to ask, can a massage help me get rid of this problem?
Hi Gomer,
You are right; calf leg pain can be an early symptom of a ‘chronic’ health problem depending on any other symptoms and conditions you may have. Best to check with your doctors.
Yes, massage therapy could help with anyone’s overall health, blood circulation and nerve activity.
We have experience with two massagers, and links to our reviews are below.
Human Touch Foot and Calf Massager Review
Thumper Massager Review
Best wishes.