Leg, Ankle and Foot

Calf, shin, ankle and foot pain — including heel pain on the first steps of the morning and night cramps — is commonly referred from the gastrocnemius, soleus, tibialis and peroneal muscles and from the small intrinsic muscles of the foot.

This Leg, Ankle and Foot page lists 22 symptom patterns and 21 muscles. Start with the symptom that matches where you feel pain: each symptom page shows which muscles are the primary, secondary and tertiary sources. Then open a muscle page to see where its trigger points sit, how to locate them by palpation, common causes and evidence-based self-care.

Referred pain maps describe typical patterns, so use them as a starting point rather than a diagnosis. Trigger points often develop in groups: when one muscle in this region is overloaded, its neighbours usually compensate, which is why the symptom pages list several muscles. If pain is severe, constant, follows an injury or comes with numbness, weakness, fever or night pain, see a clinician before trying self-treatment.