Question
For over a year now I have had a "knot" type pain in my right calf.  It is tender to the touch.  The doctor put me through physical therapy, tested my nerves, did a dopler and just wrote it off to having a desk job.  I played softball up to about 4 years ago so my legs are in good shape.  I've had no injuries and am tired of dealing with "your just seditary" excuse.  Any suggestions.

The pain is always in the same spot and sometimes hurts so bad I can barely put pressure on my leg to walk.  My calf is tender to the touch sometimes even the covers over my leg hurts.  

Answer
Sue,

I am sorry to hear you are suffering for so long with this calf pain. It seems you have had quite a bit of testing done but I didn't see two other possibilities that should be ruled out.
First one is called a Bakers cyst.This usually happens behind the knee and is an out pocketing of a bursa ( which is a fluid filled sac that acts like abuffer for tendons and other structures that rub against each other) This condition is more common in children. But in adults it can be a problem with a herniation of your knee joint capsule. This often accompanies a meniscal tear but this is a generality and you could have a bakers cyst that may or may not be picked up on MRI and you would have to be scoped by a sports orientated orthopedic surgeon so he can go in and look at this area with a camera! These things feel like a soft mass behind your knee and you may have decreased range of motion. These cysts can be painless or painful. These often are overlooked by many docs. If you were visiting me for care I would want a bakers cyst ruled out.

Second is that you may have ruptured a small muscle called the Plantaris muscle. This is also called the medical students muscle becuase it is such a small muscle with the belly of the muscle located behind the knee at about the same level that you describe. The tendon  reaches all the way down to the bottom of your foot. This tendon can actually rupture allowing the loose tendon to pull up behind the calf muscle. These can then form scar tissue or even calcify. Most physcians believe thes Plantaris muscles just resolve on thier own but anything is posible with the human body.

That said I still think you need to see an orthopedic Physcian and have your knee scoped.

There has be something going on with your knee and you should not give up until you find out the appropriate findings/reasons.

I hope this has been hopeful and be aware that some but not all medical practicioners will say these ideas are not viable but this is where I differ.

Sincerely,
Dr John Q Quackenbush
Chiropractic Physcian
Anthem Arizona