Both calf muscles sore for no reason

The causes of calf pain can be highly variable including direct trauma, overuse, muscle and tendon ruptures, and blood clots.  The symptoms can range from mild achiness and tightness to sudden inability to walk or bear weight.

The initial treatment of these injuries includes rest, elevation, and compression.  Heating pads can help relax muscle spasms.  Stretching of the muscles of the lower leg can also help decrease muscle spasms.  However, if the calf pain is accompanied by any of these symptoms including warmth, redness, fevers, and or shortness of breath, you should consult a physician immediately to rule out a blood clot.

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) if ignored can fragment and travel to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolus (PE).  In severe cases, these events can be fatal.  So, don’t ignore the symptoms!

Call for immediate medical help or go to an emergency room if you:

• Have a leg injury with a deep cut or exposed bone or tendon
• Are unable to walk or put weight on your leg
• Have pain, swelling, redness or warmth in your calf
• Hear a popping or grinding sound at the time of a leg injury

See your doctor as soon as possible if you have:

• Signs of infection, such as redness, warmth or tenderness, or you have a fever greater than100 F (37.8 C)
• A leg that is swollen, pale or unusually cool
• Calf pain, particularly after prolonged sitting, such as on a long car trip or plane ride
• Swelling in both legs along with breathing problems
• Any serious leg symptoms that develop for no apparent reason

Schedule an office visit if:

• You have pain during or after walking
• You have swelling in both legs
• Your pain gets worse
• Your symptoms don't improve after a few days of home treatment
• You have painful varicose veins

Self-care

Minor leg pain often responds well to home treatments. To relieve mild pain and swelling:

• Stay off your leg as much as possible
• Apply an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas to the affected area for 15 to 20 minutes three times a day
• Elevate your leg whenever you sit or lie down
• Try over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve)

March 27, 2021

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2. Seller RH, et al. Pain in the lower extremity in adults. In: Differential Diagnosis of Common Complaints. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2012.
3. Knee and leg. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. //orthoinfo.aaos.org/menus/leg.cfm. Accessed Jan. 20, 2016.
4. Neschis DG, et al. Clinical features and diagnosis of lower extremity peripheral artery disease. //www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Jan. 20, 2016.
5. Clark MC. Overview of the causes of limp in children. //www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Jan. 20, 2016.
6. Lehman TJA. Growing pains. //www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Jan. 20, 2016.
7. Firestein GS, et al. Hip and knee pain. In: Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2013. //www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Jan. 20, 2016.
8. What is Paget's disease of bone? National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. //www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone/Pagets/pagets_disease_ff.asp. Accessed Jan. 20, 2016.
9. Hamstring muscle injuries. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. //orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00408. Accessed Jan. 20, 2016.
10. Yu DT, et al. Diagnosis and differential diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis in adults. //www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Jan. 20, 2016.
11. Patellar tendon tear. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. //orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00512. Accessed Jan. 20, 2016.
12. Herniated disk. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. //orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00334. Accessed Jan. 20, 2016.
13. Ankle sprains and the athlete. American College of Sports Medicine. //www.acsm.org/docs/current-comments/anklesprainstemp.pdf?sfvrsn=7. Accessed Jan. 20, 2016.

See also

1. Acupuncture for back pain?
2. Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM)
3. Addison's disease
4. Adrenal fatigue: What causes it?
5. Arteriosclerosis / atherosclerosis
6. Back pain
7. Infographic: Back Pain
8. Back pain relief: Ergonomic chair or fitness ball?
9. Back surgery: When is it a good idea?
10. Banish back pain
11. Behcet's disease
12. Broken leg
13. Buerger's disease
14. Claudication
15. Cold and flu viruses: How long can they live outside the body?
16. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
17. Fibromuscular dysplasia
18. Flu shots
19. Flu: When to see a doctor?
20. Growing pains
21. Hamstring injury
22. Herniated disk
23. What is a herniated disk? A Mayo Clinic expert explains
24. Herniated disk FAQs
25. Bulging disk
26. High potassium (hyperkalemia)
27. High-dose flu vaccines: How are they different from other flu vaccines?
28. Influenza (flu)
29. Leg pain after prolonged standing or sitting
30. Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
31. Mayo Clinic Minute: Restless legs syndrome in kids
32. Myofascial release therapy: Can it relieve back pain?
33. Paget's disease of bone
34. Polio
35. Porphyria
36. Prolotherapy: Back pain solution?
37. Restless legs syndrome
38. Rickets
39. Sacroiliitis
40. Salt craving: A symptom of Addison's disease?
41. Shin splints
42. Sleeping positions that reduce back pain
43. Causes of back pain
44. Swollen knee
45. Nutrition and pain
46. Pain rehabilitation
47. Self-care approaches to treating pain
48. Varicose veins
49. Endovenous thermal ablation
50. Warfarin side effects

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Why do both my calf muscles hurt?

When should I be concerned about calf pain in both legs?

Why are my leg muscles sore for no reason?