The flexor digitorum longus muscle can cause and contribute to pain in the foot that radiates into the back of the leg. It can contribute to the development of hammertoe and claw toe.
The flexor hallucis longus can cause and contribute to pain in the big toe and ball of the foot. A classic sign of flexor hallucis longus dysfunction is numbness on the bottom of the big toe.
The extensor hallucis longus muscle contributes to and can cause pain and/or numbness in the top of the foot, pain in the big toe, and foot cramps at night. It is a contributor to hammertoe and claw toes.
The extensor digitorum longus contributes to pain in the top of the foot. It contributes to hammertoe, claw toe, and foot drop.
The plantaris muscle is a very small muscle located behind the knee. It contributes to pain behind the knee and is occasionally involved in cramps in the calf.
The popliteus muscle can cause and contribute to pain behind the knee. Prime indicators of popliteus dysfunction is an inability to lock the knee and/or you find your pain behind the knee worsens when walking downstairs or an incline. Pain from the popliteus muscle often mimics meniscus and other knee ligament and tendon injury pain.
The tibialis anterior can cause and contribute to pain in the big toe, the ankle and shine, and contributes to a weak ankle. It is also a contributor to shin splints and foot drop.
The peroneus longus and peroneus brevis contribute to pain on the outside of the ankle, the foot, and pain in the lower leg just below the knee. The muscles are contributors to weak ankles and foot drop.
The gastrocnemius muscle is a prime contributor to pain in the back of the knee. It can contribute to lower leg, ankle, and arch pain.
The peroneus tertius muscle can cause and contribute to pain in the lower leg bend where the leg, ankle and foot connect. Pain is often felt on the outside of the heel. If your ankles are weak and have a tendency to buckle, you should check this muscle for trigger points and tightness. A classic sign of peroneus tertius dysfunction is pain worsens with each step.
The soleus muscle can cause and contribute to pain in the heel, ankle and back of the knee. It can also cause pain in the low back on the same side of the affected leg. Dysfunction of the soleus muscle can also contribute to swelling in the foot and ankle. Occasionally a trigger point at the bottom and outside of the muscle can contribute to pain in the jaw and side of the head.
The tibialis posterior muscle can cause and contribute to pain in the lower leg just above the heel. This pain will often extend into the heel and the bottom of the foot. The pain will sometimes extend up into the lower calf. If you have fallen arches, you should check the tibialis posterior for trigger points and tightness because dysfunction of this muscle will allow your ankles to collapse inward.