Swollen calf

Excuse me if this is not an appropriate place to post this question.  I run. Both my calves are very tight but don't ever hurt. My right leg under the knee is swollen and leaves an imprint if I indent it with my thumb.  Running injury?  Vascular problem?  Don't worry about it?

[kenkeith]

There is a distinction between pitted and non-pitting edema (fluid leaks into tissues. Pitted edema is caused by either systemic diseases, that is, diseases that affect the various organ systems of the body, or by local conditions involving just the affected extremities. The most common systemic disorder is associated with edema involve the heart, liver, and kidneys. In these diseases, edema occurs primarily because of the body's retention of too much salt (sodium chloride). The excess salt causes the body to retain water. This water then leaks into the interstitial tissue spaces, where it appears as edema.

If the condition is local and not systemic the most common local conditions that cause edema are varicose veins and thrombophlebitis (inflammation of the veins) of the deep veins of the legs. These conditions can cause inadequate pumping of the blood by the veins (venous insufficiency). The resulting increased back-pressure in the veins forces fluid stay in the extremities (especially the ankles and feet). The excess fluid then leaks into the interstitial tissue spaces, causing edema.

Hope this helps and if you have any follow up questions you are welcome to ask. Thanks for your question and take care.

[theonesia]

Thank you for your informative answer.  The tightness, "muscle knots?" is in the calves and now just above the knee.  The pitting edema is mostly on one calf. Don't see any vein problem...yet.  My muscles are also tight in my shoulders, hamstrings, head and face.  

Sigh.  I have a doctor's appt. next week.

Thank you again.

Theonesia