Calf Pain
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Try one of these related symptoms.
Pain in the calf
Pain in the left calf
Pain in the right calf
Aching in calf even when resting
Calf hurts even when I don't move it
Calf muscle pain
Pain in the back of my leg
About the Symptom
Calf pain may affect either or both calves. The calf is the back of the lower leg. The pain may be pressing, sharp or dull in nature.
When to See a Doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
- Swelling of the affected area
- Lower leg edema
- Edema
- Infections in the past 3 months
Possible Causes
Generally, Calf pain can be related to:
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
A condition in which a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually affecting the legs. The blood clot impairs blood circulation. Sometimes, the clots can dislodge and travel to an artery in your lung, which is a medical emergency.
- Leg Cramps
Leg cramps are episodes of sudden pain in leg muscles caused by involuntary contractions (shortening) of the leg muscle. Most leg cramps happen in the calf muscles and, less commonly, in the feet and thighs.
- Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Lumbar spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower back. Stenosis, meaning narrowing, can put pressure on the spinal cord or the nerves that connect the spinal cord to muscles.
- Lumbar Vertebrae Disk Herniation
- Arteriosclerosis Obliterans
- Neuropathic Pain
- Lumbar Spondylosis
- Hypothyroidism
- Osteoporosis
- Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
- Are you experiencing calf pain?
- Do you have calf pain even when resting?
- How is your calf pain now?
- On a scale of 1 to 10, how severe was your calf pain at its worst?
- When did you first notice the calf pain?
Reviewed By:
Kent C Doan, MD (Orthopedics)
Dr Doan Graduated from the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine and completed residency training in Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Colorado. He completed additional fellowship training in Orthopedic Sports Medicine at the prestigious Steadman Clinic and Steadman Philippon Research Institute in Vail, Colorado. He is a practicing Orthopedic Surgeon who specializes in complex and revision knee and shoulder surgery at the Kansas City Orthopedic Institute. He also holds an assistant professorship at the University of Kansas City.
Tomohiro Hamahata, MD (Orthopedics)
Dr. Hamahata graduated from the Jikei University of Medical Science. After working at Asanokawa General Hospital and Kosei Chuo Hospital, he joined the Department of Orthopedics at Asakusa Hospital in April 2021, specializing in general orthopedics and joint replacement surgery.
Content updated on Jan 30, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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- Calf pain when keeping still or resting
- Have calf pain
- Calf pain even if keeping still
- My calf hurts
- Calf hurts at rest
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FAQs
Q.
Calf Pain? Why Your Calves Are Aching & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Calf pain is common and often from strains, cramps, or overuse, but it can also signal Achilles tendon issues, nerve-related pain, poor circulation like PAD, or a dangerous blood clot such as DVT. There are several factors to consider. See below for medically approved next steps that can guide safe home care like rest, ice then heat, hydration, and gentle stretching, and for the red flags that mean seek urgent care right away, including one-sided swelling, redness or warmth, severe pain or inability to bear weight, chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, or fever.
References:
* Carmody MR, Seidel TA, Toth JA. Differential Diagnosis of Lower Leg Pain. Prim Care. 2020 Jun;47(2):233-242. doi: 10.1016/j.pop.2020.02.002. Epub 2020 Mar 27. PMID: 32402434.
* Balius R, Alomar X, Combalia A, Olarte I, Pedret C, Sala-Blanch X. Diagnosis and Management of Gastrocnemius and Soleus Muscle Injuries: A Review. Sports Med. 2018 Sep;48(9):2029-2041. doi: 10.1007/s40279-018-0931-8. PMID: 29789885.
* Pihlajamäki T, Kankaanpää R, Taimela S, Leppänen L, Sarimo J, Mattila VM. Calf Muscle Strains: A Review of Anatomy, Injury Mechanisms, and Treatment Options. Clin Sports Med. 2019 Jul;38(3):369-385. doi: 10.1016/j.csm.2019.02.002. PMID: 31080004.
* Lim W, Dentali F, Crowther MA, Douketis JD. Diagnosis and management of deep vein thrombosis. BMJ. 2022 Mar 22;376:o116. doi: 10.1136/bmj.o116. PMID: 35318181.
* Norgren L, Weiss N, Kown S. Diagnosis and management of peripheral artery disease. BMJ. 2022 Jan 10;376:e061849. doi: 10.1136/bmj-2021-061849. PMID: 35012920.
Q.
Sharp Calf Pain? Why Your Calf Is Aching & Medically Approved Steps
A.
Sharp calf pain is often due to a strain, cramp, or overuse, but it can sometimes point to serious issues like a blood clot or peripheral artery disease. See below for the full range of causes and how to tell them apart. See below for medically approved steps, from rest, ice, compression, elevation, hydration, stretching, and safe OTC pain relief, to clear signs that require urgent care like one-sided swelling, warmth or redness, chest pain, or shortness of breath. Important details that can change your next steps are explained below.
References:
* Alonso, R., & Arrese, M. J. (2019). Differential Diagnosis of Calf Pain: Common Conditions and Their Management. Sports health, 11(6), 527–535. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31599557/
* Swenson, R. J., & Miller, J. G. (2021). Acute Calf Pain: Review of Common Causes and Strategies for Diagnosis and Treatment. The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, 121(7), 633–640. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34213271/
* Warkentin, T. E., & Pai, M. (2020). Deep vein thrombosis: a clinical review. CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association Journal, 192(29), E823–E831. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32680879/
* Lin, H. K., Kim, J., Kim, K. B., Kim, K., Lim, H., & Lee, M. W. (2021). Calf Muscle Injury: An Overview of Anatomy, Injury, Diagnosis, and Management. Journal of clinical medicine, 10(17), 3848. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34501258/
* Gerhard-Herman, M. D., Gornik, N. L., Barrett, C., Barshes, N. R., Corriere, M. A., Drachman, D. E., Fleisher, L. A., Fowkes, F. G., Graham, J. N., Jaff, M. R., Jones, D. W., Hermann, L. K., Hiatt, W. R., Howard, K. J., Jain, D. P., Kaplan, R. F., Kaufman, J. A., Knowles, J. W., Landry, G. J., Marston, W. A., … Shrikhande, V. V. (2017). 2016 AHA/ACC Guideline on the Management of Patients With Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 69(11), e71–e126. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27852333/
Q.
Sharp Calf Pain? Why Your Gastrocnemius Is Failing & Medical Next Steps
A.
Sharp calf pain is most often a gastrocnemius strain or tear triggered by a sudden push-off, often with a pop, swelling, and pain pointing the toes down; most mild to moderate cases improve with rest, ice, compression, elevation, and gradual rehab. There are several factors to consider, and some are urgent, including deep vein thrombosis with one-sided swelling or warmth, Achilles rupture with push-off weakness, and circulation problems, so see the complete guidance below for red flags and clear next steps on when to seek urgent care and how doctors confirm the cause.
References:
* De Girolamo C, Di Vico A, Perotti V, Del Buono A. Diagnosis and Management of Acute Calf Pain. J Clin Med. 2022 Jan 19;11(3):511. doi: 10.3390/jcm11030511. PMID: 35056972.
* Fields KB, Blazek K, Z Accetta J. Calf Strain: A Clinical Review. Curr Sports Med Rep. 2021 Jul 1;20(7):358-364. doi: 10.1249/JSR.0000000000000862. PMID: 34138654.
* Papi S, O'Brien S, Nazzal H, Nazzal M. Gastrocnemius muscle injuries: an update on a common sports injury. J Orthop Surg Res. 2020 Apr 17;15(1):154. doi: 10.1186/s13018-020-01683-1. PMID: 32306806.
* Green B, McClelland JA, Semciw AI, Schache AG, Pizzari T. Calf Muscle Injuries in Athletes: A Review of the Literature. Sports Med. 2018 Jan;48(1):155-168. doi: 10.1007/s40279-017-0802-x. PMID: 29037467.
* Garet M, Dugas A, Maubisson M, Kaux JF. Distinguishing between Gastrocnemius and Soleus Muscle Strains: A Diagnostic Challenge. J Clin Med. 2022 Jun 8;11(11):3278. doi: 10.3390/jcm11113278. PMID: 35697816.
Q.
What is the cause of calf pain in just one leg?
A.
Injuries from sports, nerve damage in the lower back, blood clots, varicose veins and skin diseases can cause calf pain in just one leg.
References:
Gasparis AP, Kim PS, Dean SM, Khilnani NM, Labropoulos N. Diagnostic approach to lower limb edema. Phlebology. 2020 Oct;35(9):650-655. doi: 10.1177/0268355520938283. Epub 2020 Jul 6. PMID: 32631171; PMCID: PMC7536506.
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Lee SJ, Kim OH, Choo HJ, Park JH, Park YM, Jeong HW, Lee SM, Cho KH, Choi JA, Jacobson JA. Ultrasonographic findings of the various diseases presenting as calf pain. Clin Imaging. 2016 Jan-Feb;40(1):1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2015.09.015. Epub 2015 Sep 24. PMID: 26490092.
https://www.clinicalimaging.org/article/S0899-7071(15)00245-4/fulltext