Calf Pain Differential Diagnoses

Differential Diagnosis

Muscle strain (gastrocnemius, soleus, plantaris) or contusion (gastrocnemius)
Compartment syndrome - superficial posterior compartment syndrome and deep posterior compartment syndrome
Referred Pain - lumbar spine (Lumbar Radicular Pain or Somatic Referred Pain, myofascial structures, superior tibiofibular joint, baker's cyst, knee posterior cruciate ligament, knee posterior capsular sprain, Knee Osteoarthritis or Ankle (Tibiotalar) Osteoarthritis
Tendon injuries - Achilles Tendinopathy, Plantaris Tendinopathy
Nerve entrapment - Common peroneal nerve and branches, tibial nerve, sural nerve
Fractures (including malunion) or Stress fractures (fibula, posterior cortex of the tibia)
Vascular abnormalities - entrapment of popliteal artery, endo-fibrosis of external iliac artery, aneurysm, arterial insufficiency, Deep vein thrombosis, Varicose veins e.g. superficial thrombosis, venous insufficiency
Calcific myonecrosis
Infection - osteomyelitis, brodie abscess, soft tissue abscess
Neoplasm - intraosseous or soft tissue

Axial Skeleton	Neck Pain Thoracic Pain Low Back Pain Sacroiliac Pain Coccydynia
Upper Limbs	Sternoclavicular Joint Pain Shoulder Pain and Instability Elbow Pain Wrist Pain and Instability Neuropathic Arm Pain
Lower Limbs	Hip Pain Lateral Hip Pain Groin Pain Posterior Thigh Pain Buttock Pain Anterior Thigh Pain Knee Pain Calf Pain Ankle Pain Foot Pain Neuropathic Leg Pain
Other	Abdominal Wall Pain Chest Wall Pain Joint Hypermobility Vertigo Widespread Pain Anterior Throat Pain Arthritis Rheumatology Symptoms