What Causes Severe Pain In Calves When Touched?

Posted on Sat, 13 Sep 2014

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

Sat, 13 Sep 2014 Answered on

Tue, 7 Oct 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I have a lot of pain in my calves, starting about one inch below and to the right of the back of my knee - running much of the way down my leg. It is a constant thing that when touched, hurts a great deal. A relaxing massage than anyone else would enjoy is very, very painful for me. Sometimes my legs ache in this position, but mostly it is when I touch the area. It isn't everywhere - but feels like it is soreness on a vein - but it is in both legs and runs a long distance. Can you tell me what that is and what I should do about it? I have had this for years.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
You may be suffering from deep vein thrombosis.

Detailed Answer:
Hi, XXXX

Welcome to healthcare magic.

I'm Dr. Sudhir Kumar

After going through your query I think you may be suffering from deep vein thrombosis.
I thought so because it is in the most common region(calf) where deep vein thrombosis occur ,second it is very, very painful on massage,mostly it is painful when you touch the area and it is in both legs.

As it effects both legs so infection and tumor get excluded.

Other important cause in my mind is vitamin deficiency but these are not so painful on touch.
So I considered vein thrombosis most likely deep vein thrombosis.It means blood clots are formed in the vein.

Venogram of both legs will be helpful in confirming diagnosis.

Treatment of deep vein thrombosis is analgesics such as diclofenac for pain relief, low dose aspirin to prevent its formation and throbolytic drugs to dissolve it. You can discuss with your treating Doctor about it. Sometimes clots are to be removed by operation.

Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.

Wishing you good health.

Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad