Pain in the Calf
The calves are a common area to feel muscle complaints such as Achilles Tendinopathies and Gastrocnemius strain, and are heavily influenced by the function and alignment of the feet and ankles and the shock absorbing capacity. However, here at The DISC Chiropractors the majority of cases involving calf pain involve a referral pattern from the low back and discs.
See this guide to referral patterns for a better understanding.
A quick, generalised summary of pain in the calf would be:
- Diffuse achy pain, in calf or shin that worsens on activity most likely to be muscular pain originating locally.
- Sharp distinct pain: â radicular pain from the nerve root, most likely due to lumbar disc damage or arthritisâĻ especially if the pain doesnât ease upon rest.
Notably the symptoms of leg or calf pain associated with a trapped nerve in the back, often can only be felt in the leg and not in the back, despite this being the location of the injury.
DVT is often linked to a period of inactivity, and is characterized by the following symptoms:
- swelling in the foot, ankle, or leg, usually one-sided
- cramping pain in the affected leg, that usually begins in the calf
- severe, unexplained pain in the foot and ankle
- an area of skin that feels warmer than the skin surrounding it
- colour changes in the skin over the affected area
If you suspect you have a DVT you should contact your GP urgently, however if the calf pain is coupled with shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing, sweating or fast breath, then call for an ambulance immediately.
Howver the vast majority of calf pain remains non life threatening and due to a more simplistic MSK mechanism, which your friendly Surbiton DISC Chiropractors remain specialist in.