Calf pain, or pain on the back side of the lower leg, can be mild, moderate or severe. According to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, calf pain can be caused by repetitive overuse of the calf muscles, calf trauma or certain medical conditions. Some causes of calf pain can signal serious underlying health problems that require the attention of a qualified health care professional.
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Peripheral vascular disease can cause calf pain. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, peripheral vascular disease, also known as peripheral arterial disease, is caused by an accumulation of plaque---a combination of fat, calcium, cholesterol and other substances---in the arteries carrying blood to the head, organs and extremities. The NHLBI states that peripheral vascular disease often affects a person's leg, although the arms and head are also commonly affected. When blood flow to the calf and lower extremity is obstructed, a person will experience pain and numbness in the affected area. Peripheral vascular disease also increases the likelihood of an infection in the extremities and even tissue death or gangrene. In some cases, peripheral vascular disease can lead to leg amputation. According to the NHLBI, the principal risk factor for peripheral vascular disease is smoking.
Muscle Strains
Calf muscle strains can cause calf pain. The Sports Injury Clinic website states that a calf muscle strain, which is a partial or complete tear of the muscle fibers in the gastrocnemius or soleus muscles, the two principal calf muscles, usually occurs in athletes with tight calf muscles. The calf muscles work in concert to plantarflex the ankle or point the toe away from the body.
Like other strains, calf muscle strains are graded on a scale of one to three, with a grade three strain being the most severe. Grade one calf muscles strains are characterized by mild pain in the calf, along with tightness and aching in the affected area for several days after the injury. Grade two calf muscle strains involve a sharp pain in the calf, calf swelling and mild-to-moderate calf bruising and swelling. A grade three calf muscle strain is characterized by severe pain in the calf, an inability to contract the affected calf muscle and significant calf bruising and swelling.
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Deep vein thrombosis can cause calf pain. According to the Mayo Clinic website, deep vein thrombosis is characterized by the formation of a blood clot, also known as a thrombus, in one or more of the deep veins in the body. The legs, especially the calves, are a common location for thrombus formation. Although deep vein thrombosis can cause calf pain, some people with this condition experience few or no symptoms. The Mayo Clinic notes that deep vein thrombosis is more likely to occur in people who sit for long periods of time, especially people who commute by plane or automobile. Deep vein thrombosis also has a greater likelihood of occurring in people with blood-clotting disorders. Common signs and symptoms associated with deep vein thrombosis include leg and calf pain, swelling in the affected leg and foot, and redness and warmth in the involved area. According to the Mayo Clinic website, although deep vein thrombosis is a serious medical condition, many deep vein thromboses self-resolve.
