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Why Do I Have Calf Pain While Walking?

Written by Bianca Charles on March 29, 2021

Many of us enjoy going for walks, especially when Toronto weather starts to cooperate! It can be a confusing experience when your calves start hurting when going for walks. Often, this is caused by muscle tightness. However, it is important to note that sometimes there can be a more serious culprit before calf pain.

Today we’ll discuss some causes of calf pain, and we’ll be sure to provide thorough information about treatment and preventative options you can look into. Some treatment options will involve seeking the help of a qualified chiropodist, while others may focus on at-home foot and leg care, and other forms of medical attention.

What Causes Calf Pain While Walking?

Calf pain can be associated with many conditions, here are a few we’ll discuss today:

  • Achilles tendonitis
  • Muscle strain
  • Diabetic neuropathy
  • Peripheral artery disease(PAD)

Achilles Tendonitis

Achilles tendonitis is a foot condition causing pain in the Achilles tendon, located on the back of the lower leg. Walking and other forms of exercise can lead to Achilles tendon pain, typically felt as an ache just above the heel. It is usually the result of overexertion, wearing the wrong footwear, and being on your feel for long hours. Any one of these factors, or a combination of the three, can cause the tendon to be strained. Athletes and people with Flat feet are at a higher risk of developing this condition.

Treatment for Achilles tendonitis involves a combination of chiropody efforts and at-home foot care. Learning stretches that you can perform from home, like the Soleus stretch, can strengthen the Achilles tendon and provide pain relief. Your chiropodist may suggest you invest in a pair of Insoles or assess you for a pair of Custom orthotics. To recover properly, you should maintain lighter forms of exercise for a period, like cycling. After a while, you can gradually ease back into high-intensity sports.

Muscle Strain

You may notice calf soreness while walking because you have strained your calf muscle. A calf strain can be caused by movements the muscle is not accustomed to. An example would be accelerating while playing sports, pushing off on your calf muscle. Wearing tight running shoes that need to be replaced can also contribute to the pain.

Depending on how painful the strain is, you can do some stretching from home that focuses on the calf muscle. For example, the soleus stretch that we mentioned previously can help your calf muscles. If the pain is severe, you should rest with your leg elevated, applying an ice pack to your calf. After the pain has subsided a certain amount, you can work on your mobility.

A Video gait analysis, which is essentially a walking test and observation of your gait, can provide you with insight into how you’re walking. Your gait may be setting yourself up for future pain in your calf muscles and you don’t even realize it! You should also replace your running shoes if they’re old and don’t fit comfortably.

Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels – thank you!

Diabetic Neuropathy

If you’re a diabetic, diabetic neuropathy may be causing your calf pain, in addition to foot pain. Moreover, diabetics can experience a dull ache, numbness and a tingling sensation in their calves and feet, which can worsen during a walk. Harvard Health Publishing attributes this to “starved nerve vessels” that do not receive sufficient oxygen. This is due to high blood sugar levels in diabetics leading to neuropathy, which damages blood vessels and prevents them from supplying oxygen to nerve vessels.

As for treatment, all diabetic patients should schedule, as the very minimum, an Annual foot care assessment with a Chiropodist. In addition to an annual assessment, they should also maintain regular visits with their foot specialist. A foot specialist can ensure that serious foot complications from neglected diabetic neuropathy are avoided.

Diabetic foot care can help with foot and leg pain and prevent foot ulcers. It also includes prescribing proper footwear, such as custom orthotics and Orthopaedic footwear. Furthermore, chiropodists can tend to wounds on the foot that have gone unnoticed by patients due to nerve damage. Diabetics should also strive to keep their blood sugar regulated.

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

Peripheral artery disease, commonly known as PAD occurs when “fat and cholesterol-filled plaque narrows arteries, and blood clots collect on the plaque, narrowing them further.” This is called atherosclerosis. Furthermore, “in peripheral artery disease, the arteries affected by atherosclerosis tend to be the ones that supply the leg muscles.” Pain is commonly felt in the calf and becomes worse while walking, only subsiding momentarily after rest. The pain is triggered by a lack of oxygen being distributed to muscle cells. Risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking. Additionally, PAD is observable in some diabetic patients.

There are two goals when treating PAD, managing calf and leg pain and reducing your risk of a Heart attack or stroke. For the latter, you should maintain regular visits with your family doctor and abide by their advice concerning lowering your cholesterol and blood pressure. PAD patients should also check in regularly with their foot specialist when experiencing calf and foot pain, and practice vigilant at-home foot care.

Please note, calf pain can also be caused by:

Are You Experiencing Calf Pain?

Our foot clinic is trained to assess your lower legs and feet. All under one roof, our team can handle any of your concerns. From mild, to critical, we cover all sides of the spectrum and will ensure you’ll be on your way to recovery. Call Feet First Clinic to ask about actionable steps towards your solution today! 

Call us at 416-769-FEET(3338) or Book Your Assessment Today!

Everything You Need for Healthy Feet - All Under One Roof

At Feet First Clinic, we’re always excited to welcome new clients! We’re Toronto’s one-stop-shop for all your foot-related needs. For 15 years, our staff and licensed chiropodists have been helping people with their feet. From foot care to foot pain to foot products – we do it all! Give us a call to ask our friendly staff any questions you may have! Our Toronto foot specialists are ready to help!

Call us at 416-769-3338 or Book Your Assessment Today!

Bianca Charles Photo

About Author: Bianca Charles

With 15 years of dedicated experience in podiatry, Bianca Carter offers a wealth of knowledge and expertise at Feet First Clinic. Throughout her career, Bianca has worked closely with leading chiropodists, continually deepening her understanding of all aspects of foot care.
Learn more about Bianca Charles

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Fit Ill-fitting shoes are a major cause of foot pain and can lead to conditions such as bunions, plantar fasciitis, and even arthritis. When shoes don’t fit properly, they can restrict movement and force your feet into unnatural positions, creating pressure points and friction. To see if your shoes fit properly: Look for footwear that allows enough room for your toes to wiggle - ideally between ⅜” to ½” of space between the end of your longest toe and the front of the shoe. If you're feeling your toes knocking against the front of your shoes, they're too small. Conversely, if you're feeling your shoe moving around and sliding as you walk, they're too big. Loosen the laces if the shoes feel too tight. If that doesn't work, look for a wide-width shoe; do not go up in length to accommodate width (you'll just end up with a long narrow shoe). Always check the toe room when you're standing - not sitting. Our feet splay when we stand, which affects how the shoe fits. 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October 17, 2024
6 Foot Exercises to Strengthen and Protect Your Feet
Studies show that 8 weeks of a solid foot health workout can increase intrinsic foot muscle volumes by up to 22.8%. These are the various small muscle groups located entirely within the foot. They play a key role in stabilizing the arch, supporting balance, and enabling precise movements of the toes. Foot exercises can also help maintain extrinsic muscle strength. These are the muscles that connect to the foot, but are located just outside it, mainly in the lower leg, calf and Achilles tendon area. Foot exercises can also work your toes and the bottom of the foot, soothe pain, strengthen your ankles and prevent foot injuries. This article will list some of the best foot pain relief exercises you can incorporate into your daily routine, starting today! Ball Stretch View this post on Instagram A post shared by Feet First Clinic (@feetfirstclinic_) Simply rolling your back and forth on a small ball can help with plantar fasciitis, arch pain, bottom of the foot pain, and general foot fatigue. You don’t need a therapeutic massage ball—a tennis, lacrosse or golf ball will work.  Sit or stand comfortably and place the ball under your foot. Roll the ball slowly from your heel to your toes, applying gentle pressure for 2-3 minutes. Switch to the other foot. Toe Pulls View this post on Instagram A post shared by Feet First Clinic (@feetfirstclinic_) This exercise can help relieve plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, and general foot or calf tightness. Sit with your legs extended in front of you and your back straight. Use your hands to gently pull back on your toes, stretching the bottom of your feet and calves. Hold for 20-30 seconds. Release and repeat 2-3 times, focusing on a slow, controlled stretch. (Optional) Incorporate a resistance band by looping it around your feet and pulling back to deepen the stretch. Toe Flex and Raise View this post on Instagram A post shared by Feet First Clinic (@feetfirstclinic_) Work out your tibialis anterior, improve toe flexibility and balance and strengthen your feet with this fun exercise.  Stand with your feet flat and toes planted firmly on the ground. Lift your heels off the ground, keeping your toes pressed down, then slowly lower your heels back to the floor. Repeat the movement 10-15 times, focusing on control. Ankle Circles View this post on Instagram A post shared by Feet First Clinic (@feetfirstclinic_) This stretch helps strengthen your ankles and can improve general mobility.  Sit or stand with one foot lifted slightly off the ground. Rotate your ankle slowly in large circles, first clockwise, then counterclockwise. Repeat 10 times in each direction, then switch to the other ankle. Calf Stretch on a Step  A great choice for calf strengthening and targeting the extrinsic muscle group, this is a simple stretch that just requires a set of stairs!  Stand on a step with your heels hanging off the edge and hold onto a railing or wall for balance. Lower your heels slowly below the step, feeling a stretch in your calves. Hold for 20-30 seconds, then raise your heels back up and repeat 2-3 times. Marble Pick-Ups View this post on Instagram A post shared by Feet First Clinic (@feetfirstclinic_) This exercise can help with your general coordination and improve toe strength and flexibility, which may alleviate discomfort from conditions like bunions and arthritis. There are no time constraints with this one, simply focus on the task at hand.  Place small objects (like marbles) on the floor in front of you while seated. Use your toes to pick up each object and drop them into a nearby bowl or container. Repeat with both feet, aiming for 10-15 picks per foot.
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October 14, 2024
The Importance of Regular Foot Check-Ups: What to Expect During a Foot Clinic Visit
There are many at-home and natural remedies for foot pain that work, but there’s no denying the importance of foot exams with a top Toronto chiropodist. Some conditions require foot check-ups throughout the year and your foot clinic visits can make a big difference in not only your comfort levels, but your long-term health. Let’s take at what you can expect at a foot clinic appointment and why you should get your check-ups.  What You Can Expect at a Foot Clinic This depends on if you’re visiting your foot clinic for the first time or are following up with a specific service, such as a custom orthotic casting and fitting or a medical pedicure.  At Toronto’s Feet First Clinic, your first foot check-up—an initial foot assessment—helps determine your unique needs. It’s your chance to discuss any concerns so your chiropodist can tailor the care to what matters most to you. Many people schedule one if they have persistent foot pain, but you may also do it for diagnostic purposes, footwear recommendations and more. Why Schedule Regular Foot Check-ups? Regular foot care is mandatory if you have diabetes. Studies show that neglecting your feet and failing to visit your foot specialist may lead to infections, ulceration and limb loss. While they sound extreme and scary, chiropody services can help you prevent these problems.  Chiropodist visits for diabetes include full examinations (particularly to assess for neuropathy), nail and skin care, wound debridement, and more. Some experts recommend coming in every 4-6 months, but this may be more or less, depending on your condition.  Foot check-ups are also a must for anyone with arthritis, circulatory issues, a history of strain injuries like plantar fasciitis, chronic fungal infections, to name a few. They’re especially important as we get older. But really, anyone can benefit from a little foot TLC—whether you're on your feet all day or just looking to prevent future problems, regular check-ups help keep your feet healthy, pain-free, and ready to go wherever life takes you! An annual foot assessment is also a great preventative form of self care, like a wellness check for your feet. You don’t have to wait until you notice symptoms — assessments can catch early signs of the most common foot issues before they become painful.
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Carolina Charles

Patient Relation Coordinator (She/Her)

If you’ve been to the clinic before, chances are you had the pleasure of meeting Carolina! Carolina’s daily goal is going above and beyond to make sure patients are always completely satisfied. Having worked in the podiatry industry for 22 years, Carolina brings a wealth of knowledge pertaining to client service, insurance policies, and procedures.​ She steers the ship to make sure everything runs smoothly on the daily. Carolina is known for spicing up every outfit with her signature costume jewellery.