calf pain

Question
I have been skiing for 3 years, bought new boots at the beginning of 2006
season and had no problems last year.  I took a teleboard lesson in Nov and
since then have had left posterior calf pain.  In general, my leg does not hurt
until I have my boot and skis on.  Being on a chairlift without a foot rest is
extremely painful, but in the ankle.  Skiing doesn't seem to cause much pain,
just the sitting on the chairlift.  
I have no pain otherwise unless I touch the back of my calf.  Deep pain near
the bone about half way down my calf to just above the heel.  No foot pain.
I do not use orthotics and have no custom footbed in my boot but the boots
were fitted to me specifically last year and I skiied all last season without
difficulty.
Any suggestions?

Answer
Hi Wendy,

I'm not a doctor in any sense of the word, but I may know what you are going through. There are three muscles that make up the calf, and connect to the achilles tendon. While an achilles tear often occurs at the low point in the connection, you may have some tearing at the tendon where it joins one of the muscles. I don't know how the ankle pain relates, although you may have a tendon that mis-routes as a result of the tear, and the resulting wear on the tendon could be painful. Clearly, you need to see a Dr., or at least a PT.

Best of luck, sorry I can't be of any more help...