16/11/2022
CALF PAIN :
Calf muscle pain can be dull ache OR a sharp pain in the back of your leg,behind your shin bone it can feel a little difference for every one,if you get pain when you have been doing something physical like walking or running the cause is generally muscular, but if the pain comes suddenly without a clear cause it could be a problem with your blood vessels there will be a pathological problem.
CAUSES OF CALF MUSCLE PAIN :
There are a variety of conditions that can affect the leg muscles as well as the blood vessels and other structures around it,Calf pain including
1: MUSCLE CRAMP :
Muscle cramp in the calf are a common complaint for those who exercise frequently, The pain are usually temporary but can cause significant pain and discomfort,
2 : MUSCLE STRAIN :
A calf muscle strain accurse when the muscle fibers in the calf tear either partially or completely, the symptoms will vary depending on the severity of the strain but most people will experience sudden,sharp pain and tenderness at the calf muscle sites.
2 : ARTERIAL CLAUDICATION :
A person may experience calf pain due to narrowing OR blockages in the arteries that supply blood flow to the legs this is known as arterial claudication.
Arterial claudication may cause pain while walking as thus movement requires blood to flow to the lower legs, if the blood has difficulty moving due to narrowing (claudication) a person may experience calf pain ,
A person with arterial claudication will experience no discomfort at rest but pain after a few minutes of walking.
4 : NEUROGENIC CLAUDICATION :
Neurogenic claudication occurs when the nerves that go to the legs are pinched affecting their ability to communicate with the lower legs, this often due to a condition called Spinal stenosis, this condition occurs when the bones in the Spinal column narrow, placing extra pressure on the nerves.
Sciatica is the example of Neurogenic claudication, in condition to calf pain Neurogenic claudication symptoms include
• Pain while walking
• Pain after Prolonged standing
• Pain that also occurs in the thighs lower back OR buttocks,
Pain that usually improves when a person leans forward at the wrist, a person may also experience calf pain from Neurogenic claudication when a rest.
5 : ACHILLES TENDINITIS :
The Achilles tendon is a tough fibres band that connect the calf muscle to the heel bone, if a person’s calf muscles are especially tight this may put extra pressure on the achilles tendinitis, as a result a person can experience calf pain, people are more likely to experience achilles tendinitis if they have recently started an exercise program OR they perform repetitive exercises, frequent stretching can often help to reduce symptom.
6 : COMPARTMENT SYNDROME :
It is a painful condition that can occurs in the muscles OR both legs, usually after a person has experienced a trauma OR severe injuries, it occurs when excess blood OR fluid builds up underneath a based of tough tissues in the body that can not stretch very well,this fluied places extra pressure on the nerves and blood vessels in the lower leg causing pain, swelling, numbness and tingling, another form of compartment syndrome is chronic OR exertional compartment syndrome, this type occurs when a person experiences pain while exercising.
7 : DIABETIC NEUROPATHY :
It is a condition that occurs when a person experience nerve damage related to diabetes frequently high blood sugar levels can damage the body’s nerves, usually beginning with the hands and feet, some times the tingling and Numbness can cause shooting pain and discomfort that radiates to the calf muscles.
8 : PLANTAR FASCIITIS :
Plantar fasciitis is a condition that affects the plantar fascia tissue located on the bottom of the foot, if the calf muscles are too tight a person may be more likely to experience plantar fasciitis because the calf muscles can not support the foot, the most common symptoms of plantar fasciitis are foot pain when walking and difficulty flexing the foot.
9 : VARICOS VEINS :
Varicos veins are enlarged veins that often bulge from the legs and may look like cords,they develop when damaged valves in a person’s veins allow blood to backflow,factor that contribute to varicose veins include
• Age
• Family history
• Hormone fluctuations
• Pregnancy
• Obesity
• Lack of physical activity.
10 : DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS :
It occurs with the result of blood clot that forms in one of the veins in the leg, this condition can cause severe pain and affect blood flow to the leg, people are more likely to develop deep veins thrombosis if they have been sitting for long time, such as on a flight OR if they have high blood pressure OR blood coating disorders, symptoms of deep vein thrombosis include calp pain that usually gets worse when standing OR walking, A person leg may also swell and have a red or inflamed area due to the problems with blood flow.
TREATMENT :
Treatment depends on the underlying cause,
People can treat calp pain that is in the result of injury OR overuse using the PRICE method,
• PROTECTION : Apply a cloth bandage splint OR immunization to the foot,ankle or calf to protect the injury and allow the muscle to rest.
• REST : Rest avoid using the calf muscle morethen necessary.
• ICE : Apply a cloth covered ice pack for 10 to 15 minutes at a time to help reduce inflammation, ice pack are available to buy in pharmacy.
• COMPRESSION : Wrap the calf in stretchy tight bandage OR wear a compression stocking to reduce swelling.
• ELEVATION : Elevate the leg on pillow to help promote circulation and reduce swelling, other causes of calf pain may be treated with medications OR other medical procedures depending on the underlying cause,
Stretches : Warming up by walking at a moderate pace before engaging in more intense exercise can help to prevent muscle strain injuries, in addition to their measures a person may also choose to do some gentle stretching to reduce muscle tightness after exercises, a person should always check with their doctor before beginning a stretching routine to ensure the stretches will not aggravate an injury.
