Differential Diagnosis of Calf pain in athletes

Calf pain in athletes has a very varied aetiology. When you visit an athlete with calf pain you don't have to think only in a muscle strain (although it is probably the most common cause).

There is an amount of possible diagnosis. After reviewing the literature I adapted an schema of the whole differential diagnosis of the calf pain in athletes.

Most of this causes can be diagnosed with the use of ultrasond, you just have to think about them and, obviously, speak with the patient.

* Bibliography

- Burrus et al. Chronic Leg Pain in Athletes. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, Vol. XX, No. X. DOI: 10.1177/0363546514545859

- Brewer RB, Gregory AJ. Chronic lower leg pain in athletes: a guide for the differential diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment. Sports Health. 2012;4(2):121-127

- Brukner P. Exercise-related lower leg pain: bone. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2000;32(3):S15-S26.

- Edwards PH Jr, Wright ML, Hartman JF. A practical approach for the differential diagnosis of chronic leg pain in the athlete. Am J Sports Med. 2005;33(8):1241-1249.

- Fabre T, Montero C, Gaujard E, Gervais-Dellion F, Durandeau A. Chronic calf pain in athletes due to sural nerve entrapment: a report of 18 cases. Am J Sports Med. 2000;28(5):679-682.

- Gallo RA, Plakke M, Silvis ML. Common leg injuries of long-distance runners: anatomical and biomechanical approach. Sports Health. 2012;4(6):485-495.

- Pell RFT, Khanuja HS, Cooley GR. Leg pain in the running athlete. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2004;12(6):396-404.

- Rajasekaran S, Kvinlaug K, Finnoff JT. Exertional leg pain in the athlete. PM R. 2012;4(12):985-1000.