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Our resident specialist and NHS GP, Dr. Zoe Williams, offers her expert guidance.
Today, she assists a reader who has been experiencing pain in their left calf muscles for the past six months.
Dr. Zoe Williams supports Sun readers with their health issues.
Tight calves can lead to soreness, cramping, or a persistent “pulled” sensation that affects mobility.
Q) I have been informed that I have tight calf muscles. What does this indicate?
I’ve been experiencing pain in my left calf muscles for over six months.
A) Tight calf muscles typically mean that the muscles at the back of your lower leg (mainly the gastrocnemius and soleus) lack the flexibility they should possess.
Tight calves can lead to soreness, cramping, or a continual “pulled” sensation, making it difficult to flex your ankle upwards.
This condition can also place additional stress on your Achilles tendon, foot, and knee, potentially leading to problems such as plantar fasciitis, shin splints, Achilles tendinopathy, and even discomfort in the knee and hip.
Since you’ve been experiencing calf soreness for more than six months, this is classified as chronic pain and definitely warrants a consultation and ideally some treatment from a physiotherapist.
They can assess your flexibility, strength, gait, and rule out circulation or nerve issues.
Any swelling, heat, redness, or tenderness in a calf muscle should always prompt an urgent evaluation to rule out DVT.
You might also consider incorporating some gentle calf stretches. Heel raise exercises can strengthen the muscles, and using a foam roller can help relieve tension.
TIP
As seasons change, skin can become dry and may flare up. Therefore, ensure that you or your child has a robust moisturizing routine.
Apply an emollient after washing to lock in moisture, then reapply at least twice a day, even when there are no flare-ups, to prevent one from occurring.
Steer clear of common eczema irritants; keep nails trimmed, use emollients instead of soap (like Aquamax), and opt for fabrics such as cotton over wool.
What should I do if I have tight calf muscles?
You should consider consulting a physiotherapist to assess flexibility and strength. Gentle calf stretching and strengthening exercises can also help alleviate tightness.
When should I seek urgent medical attention for calf pain?
If you experience swelling, heat, redness, or tenderness in your calf muscle, you should seek urgent medical assessment to rule out deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
