
Injuries to the lower leg can be acute (sudden onset) or chronic (gradual onset). Lower leg pain includes shin, calf, ankle and Achilles pain.
Select the type or location of your lower leg pain:
Calf pain
These occur at the back of the lower leg and can be sudden onset (acute) or occur gradually over time (chronic).
- Calf strain – torn calf muscle at the back of the lower leg.
- Cramp – acute, sudden onset muscle spasm/contraction.
- Compartment syndrome – where the muscle swells up too large for the sheath surrounding it.
- Deep Vein Thrombosis – blood clot and should not be missed.
- View all calf injuries
Shin pain
Pain in the shin is usually of gradual onset and can be difficult to get rid of.
- Shin splints – is a widely used term to describe pain on the inside of the shin.
- Anterior compartment syndrome – causes pain on the outside front of the shin.
Read more on shin pain.
Ankle & Achilles pain
- Acute injuries – occur suddenly and include sprains, strains & fractures.
- Inside of the ankle – also known as medial ankle pain.
- Outside of the ankle – also known as lateral ankle pain.
- Achilles pain – and other injuries at the back of the ankle.