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Single-Leg Calf Raise Check
Also known as heel raise test, calf endurance test.
Checks: The strength and endurance of the calf and the Achilles tendon
What this checks
This checks how many times you can rise onto the ball of one foot before the calf tires or the Achilles pain stops you. A big difference between sides, or pain in the tendon, points towards the calf and Achilles not coping with load.
Do not do this test if
you have had a sudden painful snap or pop at the back of the ankle, you cannot push up onto your toes at all, there is a gap you can feel in the tendon, the ankle is very swollen or painful at rest, or you feel unwell. Seek medical care the same day for a suspected tendon rupture - do not use this test.
How to do it
Step 1
Stand next to a wall for balance
- Stand facing a wall or worktop with your fingertips resting on it.
- Stand on the leg you want to test and lift the other foot behind you.
Step 2
Rise up onto the ball of your foot
- Push up as high as you can onto your toes, keeping the knee straight.
- Use your fingertips for balance only, not to pull yourself up.
Step 3
Lower under control and repeat
- Lower slowly all the way down.
- Repeat at a steady pace, about one rise every two seconds, going as high each time.
Step 4
Count to fatigue and compare sides
- Stop when you cannot get the heel as high, the calf is too tired, or the tendon pain builds up.
- Note the number, then test the other leg and compare. A healthy adult can often manage around 20 to 25.
What your result means
Likely normal
A negative result usually looks like this.
- Both legs manage a similar number of good-height rises.
- Only normal muscle tiredness in the calf, no tendon pain.
- The heel gets to the same height each rep until fatigue.
Possible problem
A positive result usually looks like this.
- Pain in the Achilles tendon, a few centimetres above the heel, that builds with each rep.
- The sore leg manages far fewer rises than the other.
- You cannot get the heel anywhere near as high on the sore side.
Tips for a clearer result
Small things that make the test easier to read.
- Keep the knee straight so the load goes through the Achilles, not just the deeper calf.
- Fingertips on the wall for balance only.
- Stop if you feel a sharp pain rather than a build-up of ache.
How to read this
A positive result may point towards Achilles tendinopathy, or a calf that has not fully recovered after an ankle injury, but it cannot confirm it - other ankle and foot problems feel similar, and only a hands-on assessment can tell you for sure.
This is a guide, not a diagnosis. It cannot rule a problem in or out - a physiotherapist can. If your symptoms are severe, spreading, or you feel unwell, see a doctor.
Points towards
If your result points to a problem, these condition guides are a good place to start reading.
Reproduced your pain?
A positive result is worth getting looked at. Book an online assessment with an HCPC-registered physiotherapist, wherever you are in the UK.
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