12/01/2022
Are you suffering from Calf muscle (lower leg) pain?????
Calf pain can be severe enough to prevent a person from walking.
There are a variety of conditions that can affect the calf muscles, as well as the blood vessels and other structures around it. Fortunately, many of the causes of calf pain are easily treatable.
Causes of calf pain
A variety of conditions and situations can cause calf pain, including:
1. Muscle crampCalf muscle cramps are usually temporary but can cause significant pain and discomfort. Commonly seen in those who exercise frequently.
Causes of calf muscle cramps include:
• Dehydration
• Loss of electrolytes through sweating
• Lack of stretching
• Prolonged physical activity
• Weak muscles
2. Muscle strain
A calf muscle strain occurs when the muscle fibers tear either partially or completely.
The symptoms are sudden, sharp pain and tenderness at the calf muscle site.
It depends upon the severity of the strain. This condition commonly seen in Runners, athletes etc.
3. 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 this movement requires blood to flow to the lower legs. 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.
Sciatica is one example of neurogenic claudication.
In addition 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 waist
A person may also experience calf pain from Neurogenic claudication when at rest.
5. Achilles tendinitis
The Achilles tendon is a tough, fibrous band that connects the calf muscle to the heel bone.
If a person’s calf muscles are especially tight, this may put extra pressure on the Achilles tendon. As a result, a person can experience calf pain.
Other less common causes of calf muscles pain are
6. Compartment syndrome
7. Diabetic neuropathy
8. Plantar fasciitis
9. Varicose veins
10. Deep vein thrombosis
Treatment
Treatment for calf pain will depend on the underlying cause.
You can treat calf pain which results from injury or overuse by using the PRICE method. This stands for:
• Protection: Apply a cloth bandage, splint, or immobilizer to the foot, ankle, or calf to protect the injury and allow the muscles to rest.
• Rest: Avoid using the calf muscle more than necessary.
• Ice: Apply ice pack for 10 to 15 minutes at a time to help reduce inflammation.
• Compression: Wrap the calf in a stretchy, tight bandage or wear a compression stocking to reduce swelling.
• Elevation: Elevate the leg on pillows to help promote circulation and reduce swelling.
Other causes of calf pain may be treated with Physical therapy (pain management, stretching and soft tissue mobilization) and medications depending on the underlying cause.
Physical therapy includes
• Pain management by Cold packs/hot packs, Ultra sound TENS etc
• Stretching exercises.
• Soft tissue mobilization.
• Theraputic massage
To restore the normal pain free function of calf muscle, soft tissue mobilization stretching and theraputic massage is very important.
Warming up by walking at a moderate pace before engaging in more intense exercise can help to prevent muscle strain injuries.
When to see a doctor??????
A person should seek emergency medical treatment if they suspect they have DVT. A doctor will carry out a physical examination to determine whether a pulled or strained muscle is the problem or it is DVT.
Q symptoms of DVT include pain, swelling, and warmth in one leg.
Other signs a person should seek emergency treatment for calf pain include:
• fever that is greater than 100°F
• swollen leg that is pale or cool to the touch
• sudden extreme swelling in the legs
