CALF, SHIN & ACHILLES
More information about each condition can be found below:-
Achilles Tendinopathy
What is it? An injury to the band of tissue (tendon) that runs down the back of your lower leg to your heel.
What is it caused by? Caused by overusing your achilles tendon.
What are the symptoms? Pain, stiffness and sometimes swelling that makes it hard to move freely.
How do I manage it? Resting your foot, using ice and pain medicines, using a brace or similar device to stop your foot from a lot of movement.
Calf Tear
What is it? A severely pulled calf muscle can result in partial or complete tears.
What is it caused by? Overstretching the muscles in the back of your lower leg.
What are the symptoms? No calf strength, snapping or popping sensation in your calf, sudden pain in the back of your lower leg, swelling and bruising in your calf muscle.
How do I manage it? Rest, ice, compressions and elevation. A severely torn calf muscle may require surgery.
Compartment Syndrome
What is it? Bleeding or swelling within an enclosed bundle of muscles (known as a compartment).
What is it caused by? It is most often due to injury, such as a fracture, that causes bleeding in the muscle which then causes increased pressure.
What are the symptoms? Persistent ache in the leg, numbness, swelling, tightness and bruising.
How do I manage it? Acute compartment syndrome must be treated in hospital using a surgical procedure.
Deep Vein Thrombosis
What is it? A medical condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein.
What is it caused by? Trauma or bone fracture, a long period or bed rest of sitting for a long time.
What are the symptoms? Swelling in the affected leg, pain in your leg, red or discoloured skin and a feeling of warmth in the affected leg.
How do I manage it? Once you have seeked medical advice, make sure you are walking regularly and keep your affected leg raised when sitting.
Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS)
What is it? An overuse injury or repetitive-stress injury of the shin area.
What is it caused by? Caused when the body is unable to heal properly in response to repetitive muscle contractions and tibial strain.
What are the symptoms? Exercise-induced pain, absence of cramping or a burning pain.
How do I manage it? Rest, icing the tender area and gentle stretching exercises.
