Is Calf Pain Indicative Of An Achilles Tendon Injury After Exercising?

Posted on Thu, 31 Aug 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 31 Aug 2017 Answered on

Thu, 21 Sep 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I felt a pop and had pain in my left lower calf while exercising. I went to the doctor and the performed a sonogram to check for a blood clot. The doctor said it was just a muscle strain. After rest for a couple of weeks I went back to low impact exercise and felt good. Last week a fell and twisted my right ankle and I am in a walking boot. The pain in my left calf has returned but only hurts when I walk. The pain seems to move slightly up and down my calf from the bottom to mid calf. Could it be Achilles strain? I can point my toe and flex my foot without pain. It is just when I walk. Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Gopal (22 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hi yes Probably itis Achilles strain.

Detailed Answer:
Hi I am Dr Gopal Goel Orthopedic Surgeon.
So now you have an old injury in left calf and ankle sprain on right ankle ( in a cast now).In my opinion you have strain of Left calf muscle - which probably did not heal completely . since you are walking with cast in (R) leg , there is extra pressure on left leg and with extra pressure the pain has resurfaced on putting extra strain of walking.
I suggest use of a stick on Left side so that increased pressure on left leg is shared and the Left calf ( Achilles) strain is not aggravated.
Thanx for the question. Please feel free to ask any other question.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj