Calf pain has many causes. According to MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, leg pain can be caused by numerous factors, including vascular or blood vessel disorders, traumatic injury, infection, tissue degeneration and even life-threatening medical conditions. MedlinePlus states that a person should contact his doctor as soon as possible if he notices any of the following calf signs and symptoms: tissue discoloration, swelling and calf pain with exertion.
Cellulitis
Cellulitis can cause calf pain. According to the Mayo Clinic website, cellulitis is a common yet potentially life-threatening bacterial skin infection that's characterized by swollen, red patches of skin that feel tender and warm to the touch. Cellulitis can spread quickly. The Mayo Clinic website notes that skin on the lower leg, especially in the calf, is the most common location for cellulitis to manifest, although it can occur anywhere on a person's body. In some cases, cellulitis affects only the skin's surface, while in other cases, it affects deeper layers of tissue and can spread to a person's lymph nodes and bloodstream. If left unchecked, cellulitis can continue spreading throughout the body and become life-threatening.
Common signs and symptoms associated with cellulitis-infected skin and tissues include the following: redness, swelling, tenderness, pain and warmth. According to the Mayo Clinic website, cellulitis-related skin changes may be accompanied by a fever.
Varicose Veins
Varicose veins can cause calf pain. Varicose veins are caused by faulty valves in a person's veins. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, a division of the National Institutes of Health, states that varicose veins are swollen, tortuous veins that are visible directly below the skin's surface. The most common location for varicose veins is the lower leg, especially the calf, although varicose veins can develop in any part of the body.
According to the NHLBI, varicose veins are common, and they usually cause few signs and symptoms. However, varicose veins in the lower leg can cause mild to moderate calf pain, blood clots and skin ulcers. Other possible symptoms include mild swelling in the ankles and feet, leg cramping or throbbing, and discolored skin in the affected area. Several factors may increase the likelihood of developing varicose veins, including the following: family history, age, gender, pregnancy, excessive weight and lack of movement.
Calf Muscle Strain
Calf muscle strains can cause calf pain. According to the Sports Injury Clinic website, the two principal calf muscles are the gastrocnemius and the soleus. These two muscles, which are situated on the posterior part of the lower leg, work in concert to plantarflex the ankle, or point the foot away from the body. Both calf muscles can suffer strains. The Sports Injury Clinic website states that all muscle strains are graded on a scale of one to three, with grade three being the most severe strain.
The signs and symptoms of a calf muscle strain largely depend on the grade, although certain signs and symptoms are experienced by everybody who suffers a calf muscle strain, including pain in the back of the lower leg, tightness, and aching and bruising. According to the Sports Injury Clinic website, most calf muscle strains respond well to conservative care methods, including rest, ice, compression, elevation and physical therapy modalities.
