Muscle · Calf & foot · Calf (gastrocnemius / soleus)
Calf pain
Common at this spot
Ordered by how common, not by search volume.
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Gastrocnemius tear (tennis leg)
A thump in the calf, hard to walk, with bruising tracking down
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Achilles tendinitis
Above the heel is stiff and painful on the first steps of the morning
Why it happens
A tendon swells after an injury — here, the Achilles tendon that runs to the heel. It comes from sudden movements or repeated exercise such as running, jumping, or throwing, and from repeating the same motion with poor form or technique.
How it feels
- Pain in the tendon that gets worse when you move
- Trouble moving that joint
- A grating or crackling feeling when the tendon moves
- Swelling, sometimes with heat or redness
How long it usually lasts
Mild tendonitis should feel better within 2 to 3 weeks.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if it has not improved after a few weeks. Get urgent advice if the pain is severe or you think the tendon has ruptured.
Source: NHS (UK)
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Calf cramp
The calf seizes during sleep with intense pain
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Soleus strain
Deep in the calf hurts when flexing the ankle or walking a long time
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Deep vein thrombosis
One calf swells, feels hot, and hurts when pressed
Get help right away ifIf you have pain and swelling in the leg and you feel short of breath or have chest pain, call emergency services or go to A&E. The clot can travel to your lungs, which is life-threatening.
Why it happens
A blood clot in a deep vein of the leg. Sometimes it happens with no clear cause. It is more likely over 60, if you are overweight, if you smoke, if you have had one before, on HRT or the contraceptive pill, with cancer or heart failure, after a recent hospital stay or surgery, after travel longer than 4 hours, in pregnancy, or when dehydrated.
How it feels
- Throbbing pain in one leg — usually the calf or thigh (rarely both)
- Swelling in one leg
- Red, blue, or darkened skin around the painful area
- Swollen veins
Source: NHS (UK)