What does it mean when the back of your leg hurts behind the knee and calf?
A calf strain – just as upper leg muscles like the hamstring can cause problems in the knee, so can lower leg tissues. Chiefly this means the soleus or the gastrocnemius (calf) muscles. When these become fatigued, strained or torn, they can be felt as posterior knee pain.
Can a tight calf cause pain behind the knee?
A tight Calf muscle can cause a tendon strain that can present pain behind the knee and limit your knee flexion. Stretching out the tissue where the muscle joins the tendon can reduce the pain.
Why does the top of my calf hurt?
Most calf pain is due to overuse, injury, and age-related wear and tear on the muscles, tendons and ligaments of the calf. There are two calf muscles—gastrocnemius and the soleus—that meet at the Achilles tendon, which is attached to the heel bone.
Why does the back of my calf feel tight and hurt?
Tightness or pain in the calves is often the result of overuse. Activities like running and playing sports can be hard on your calf muscles. Endurance sports are particularly tough on the body.
Why does my leg hurt behind my knee?
Some of the most common causes of pain behind the knee (posterior knee pain) include, Baker’s cyst, arthritis, infection, injury, tumor, or deep vein thrombosis. Since the knee is the largest and most complex joint in the body, it makes sense that it might hurt sometimes.
What does a blood clot feel like behind the knee?
redness in the knee or calf area. swelling in the knee or leg. a warm area behind the knee or in the leg. pain in the knee or leg, which may feel similar to a cramp.
Why is the muscle behind my knee tight?
Cramps occur when muscles become too tight. This tightness may be because the muscle is doing too much work without being stretched. If it is stretched and still cramps, the muscle may simply be overused. Overuse syndrome can affect different areas of the knee.
When should I be concerned about calf pain NHS?
When to seek help your calf is hot, swollen or tender and tense to touch – especially if you can’t recall an injury. you can’t put any weight through your leg. you can’t lift your heel off the floor.
Can you get a blood clot in the back of your leg behind your knee?
Popliteal vein thrombosis happens when a blood clot blocks one of the blood vessels behind your knees. It’s a serious condition, but it can sometimes be mistaken for a less-dangerous condition called a Baker’s cyst.
What causes pain behind the knee and upper calf?
This compression can occur anywhere along the path of the nerves that supply the area, such as near the origin of a spinal nerve or behind the knee. Examples of causes of nerve compression leading to upper calf pain include a herniated disc, a soft tissue growth, or inflammation of the structures at the back of the knee.
Why do my calves hurt so much?
There are two main reasons for calf muscle pain: injury and an underlying medical condition. Figure out which category your pain falls under. An injury happens when you use the muscles too much, resulting in straining or even pulling it, and possibly tearing the muscles.
Can knee problems cause calf pain?
A diagram of the knee, including the ligaments. A tear or other damage to the Achilles tendon can cause calf pain. Knee pain can often be traced back to earlier sports injuries.
How do I stretch tight calf muscles?
Stretches and how to do them Calf muscle stretch with or without a wall. There are two general techniques for stretching the calf muscles. Heel cord stretch with bent knee. This stretch requires the use of a wall. Towel Stretch. This stretch requires a hand towel. Calf raises. This requires a tabletop or chair for support. Plantarflexion and ankle dorsiflexion.