He needed lengthy treatment on the pitch and more on the sidelines before it became clear he was in too much pain to play any further part in meeting of the Second Division's two top sides.
The tackle earned Sodje only a yellow card, but he was sent-off later in the first half for a second bookable offence – this time a challenge on McCulloch's replacement Neil Roberts.
McCulloch, only recently back to full fitness after an ankle injury, is now rated doubtful for Saturday's home game with Chesterfield.
Latics boss Paul Jewell held back after the game from making any stinging remarks about the tackle.
But his opposite number Dario Gradi had no sympathy for Sodje and admitted the full-back had been lucky to escape a straight red card.
Jewell said: "Lee has stud marks all the way down his chest and on to his hip.
"He is very sore and shaken up, and it wasn't a very good challenge from the lad.
"I don't want to talk too much about it because it's gone now and the referee made a decision."
Crewe manager Gradi said: "It was a really reckless first challenge by Sodje and I wouldn't have complained if he had been sent-off.
"When he was going for it, I wondered what on earth he was doing because he wouldn't have got the ball.It was a chest-high challenge and he slaughtered the guy.
"I should have taken him off straight away but I gave him the benefit of the doubt and my mistake cost us the game."
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The victory stretched their lead at the top of the table over Crewe to 12 points, while a 14-point advantage remains over Cardiff who won at Port Vale last night.
Jewell said: "I thought we played well and after the sending-off, we controlled the game.
"Certainly in the first half we dominated for long periods, created chances and played some good football on a difficult surface.
"It got a bit scrappy in the second half but we looked the more likely team to score on the break.
"We changed one or two things when Lee was cut in half, and we used the extra man well.
"The lads kept their discipline and I told them at half-time to be professional and not to get involved in any nonsense."
Ellington's goal was his 19th of the campaign and joker Jewell couldn't resist a light-hearted dig at his top scorer.
Jewell said: "I think the Duke is a bit of an owl because he tends to score most of his goals at night.
"Maybe he should be playing for Sheffield Wednesday!
"Seriously, I thought him and Neil Roberts linked up ever so well, with Andy Liddell playing a withdrawn role on the left in place of Lee."
Article from the Wigan Evening Post.
