Causes of Right Calf Swelling

Calf swelling occurs for a variety of reasons.

When it develops in only one leg, the cause is likely a localized problem rather than a systemic disorder.

Poor circulation, a blood clot, and a bacterial skin infection are among the most common causes of one-sided calf swelling.

However, because many conditions can lead to this symptom, see your doctor for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Your doctor will consider accompanying symptoms, the appearance of the skin of your leg, how quickly the swelling developed, and your age and sex to narrow the list of possible causes.

Deep Venous Thrombosis

Sudden, one-sided calf swelling raises a concern for deep venous thrombosis (DVT). With this condition, a blood clot forms in a deep vein of the body. The calf is a common site for DVT and possible symptoms include: -- swelling of the calf and ankle -- achy or heavy sensation -- diffuse redness -- tenderness over site of the clot -- engorged superficial veins -- low fever

Risk factors for DVT include smoking, cancer, and surgery, injury or a prolonged illness that limits mobility. DVT can lead to a serious complication called pulmonary embolism in which part of the clot breaks off and lodges in the lungs, impairing blood flow and oxygen uptake.

Venous Insufficiency

DVT Symptoms in the Legs

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Blood that flows through the legs must return to the heart against the force of gravity when in an upright position. Muscle contractions of the legs help push the blood up the legs, and valves within the veins prevent backward flow.

Damage to the veins of the legs cause pooling of blood in the lower legs with fluid leakage and swelling. This condition is called venous insufficiency. A previous leg DVT or injury can predispose to venous insufficiency with calf and ankle swelling.

Venous insufficiency develops gradually, most commonly occurs in older adults, and often causes few symptoms in the early stages. However, the condition typically worsens over time and leads to an array of possible signs and symptoms in the affected leg, including: -- heaviness, achiness, cramps or pain, especially with standing or walking -- reddish brown discoloration of the skin -- burning sensation or itchiness -- nonhealing ulcers

Cellulitis

Cellulitis refers to a bacterial infection of the skin and underlying soft tissue that causes swelling, redness and pain.

Fever commonly accompanies the infection and the affected area skin is characteristically warm. The redness typically expands -- often over a period of hours -- as the infection spreads outward. Cellulitis commonly affects the lower leg, especially among people with poor circulation, venous stasis, diabetes or a chronic skin condition. However, the condition can occur in occur in anyone and might develop after even a relatively minor injury, such as a scratch, cut or insect bite. Cellulitis requires antibiotic treatment to prevent the infection from spreading deeper into the body or the bloodstream.

Musculoskeletal Injury

What Are The Symptoms of Blood Clots in The Leg?

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Injuries affecting the lower leg potentially cause one-sided calf swelling.

A high-energy blow to the calf can obviously cause bruising and swelling.

Other injuries might also cause swelling, such as a calf muscle strain, or tear. This type of injury often occurs during athletic activities that require abrupt pushing off from the foot, such as during racket sports or soccer.

Pain occurs suddenly at the time of the injury and a knot at the top of the calf might appear.

Rarely, a lower leg injury might trigger the development of reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSDS).

RSDS causes severe, increasing pain related to an overactive nervous system response. The skin over the painful area might be red, swollen and exquisitely sensitive.

Popliteal Cyst

A popliteal cyst can also lead to one-sided calf swelling. With this condition, a fluid-filled sac forms at the back of the knee. The cyst appears as a knob beneath the skin, and most commonly occurs in people with knee damage due to arthritis or a significant injury. Rupture of a popliteal cyst, also known as a Baker cyst, can cause sudden calf swelling in the affected leg.

The symptoms of a ruptured popliteal cyst can mimic those of a DVT.

Furthermore, people with a popliteal cyst are at increased risk for DVT. A physical exam and ultrasound testing can differentiate these conditions.

Lymphedema

The lymphatic circulation works alongside the blood circulatory system.

Removing excess fluid from the body tissues is a major function of the lymphatic circulation.

Damage to or obstruction of the lymphatic circulation affecting the lower leg -- often due to surgery, tumors, injuries or radiation therapy -- can cause swelling called lymphedema. The condition may affect the calf, leading to swelling and other possible symptoms, including: -- a sensation of heaviness -- burning, tingling or numbness -- tightness of the skin

Lymphedema swelling typically increases gradually without treatment, and can become disfiguring or limit mobility. However, the condition can usually be controlled with early and ongoing treatment.

Warnings and Precautions

See your doctor as soon as possible if you notice gradual swelling of one calf, even if you have no other symptoms. Seek medical care right away if you develop sudden, one-sided calf swelling as this could signal a blood clot or an infection. Go to the nearest emergency room if you experience calf swelling along with any warning signs or symptoms, including: -- fever or chills -- rapidly spreading redness -- ulcers, blisters or black spots on the skin of the calf -- severe or worsening pain -- shortness of breath or difficult breathing -- dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting

Reviewed and revised by: Tina M. St. John, M.D.