Acute Calf Pain

Calf pain is often seen after certain activities such as tennis or other raquet sports.  This is frequently called "Tennis Leg." Generally this occurs to the medial head of the Gastrocnemius Muscle.  One will feel a pop or tear at the junction of this muscle and the underlying Soleus Muscle.  This is usually a partial tear of this junction.  Calf pain associated with activity is almost always a soft tissue injury only. 

Other causes of calf pain can include direct trauma which can result in hematoma (blood collection under the skin) or seroma (clearish fluid collecting between muscle bellies or under the skin).  Also, blood clots can occur but rarely from trauma.  Blood clots, also known as DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) are addressed in another blog.

Tennis leg is generally diagnosed by clinical exam and history.  Xrays or MRI are rarely indicated.  I may obtain an MRI if the pain is not much better within 2 weeks.  Usually an ACE bandage and rest is indicated for the first 2 weeks after this injury. Crutches may be necessary if the pain is significant. Within 2 weeks the tear usually heals enough to return to gentle activity.  Physical therapy is often started at this time.