Calf pains can be one of the most common pains that individuals experience on a day to day basis. While it can be caused due to certain activities of the daily lifestyle with super easy treatments and home-made remedies, some serious medical conditions can also contribute to it demanding for serious medical intervention.
Causes
There are huge counts of conditions that can cause calf pain among individuals. Some of the most common situations that can contribute to calf pain include:
- Muscle cramp
This is one of the most common causes that can cause sudden pain in the calf region of the leg. This is caused due to sudden involuntary contraction of the muscles. It is most common during increasing the rate of working out or trying out a new exercise. It can also be caused due to other reasons such as diabetes, kidney failure, alcoholism, peripheral vascular disease, hypothyroidism, etc.
- Muscle strain
This is caused due to tearing of the calf muscle fibers – either completely or partially. Based on how severe the strain on the muscle is the symptoms can vary though most individuals are known to suffer sudden sensations of sharp pains along with tenderness of the region.
- Arterial claudication
The narrowing down of the arteries due to blockages can cause this issue, resulting to severe pain in the lower region of legs. It is caused to the resistance of arteries to the blood flow due to narrowing. It is mostly experienced after walking for a few minutes.
- Neurogenic claudication
This is caused as a resultant of the pinching of the nerves, thus cutting in the communication to the lower part of the legs. It is often the outcome of another medical condition known as spinal stenosis – caused due to narrowing down of the spinal cord bones.
- Achilles tendinitis
Known to be one of the toughest fibrous bands of the human body, Achilles tendon connects the heel bone to the muscles in the calf region. It may be more painful for individuals with tight muscles. Stretching can be one of the options to loosen the muscles.
- Compartment syndrome
It is one of the most painful conditions that can cause calf pains. The main cause for this condition is the experience of a severe injury or trauma – that can cause excess fluids and blood to get deposited below the tight tough tissues of the body. It can cause pain, swells, tingling sensation or numbness to the calf region.
- Plantar fasciitis
It is a condition in which the plantar fascia tissue that is known to be located at the bottom part of the foot gets affected. A person is more prone to suffer this condition if the calf muscles are tighter.
- Varicose veins
This is a term that is used for veins that get enlarged and bulge out from the sides of the leg, caused due to backflow of blood from damaged valves in the vein.
- Deep vein thrombosis
It is the outcome of blot clots formation within veins. It can affect the flow of blood in between the legs and cause extreme pain.
- Other conditions
Other causes that can cause pain in the muscle include baker’s cyst, dehydration, blood clot, medial gastrocnemius strain, contusion, diabetic neuropathy and sciatica among many others.
Symptoms
The symptoms can vary from case to case on the basis of the root cause for the pain. Some of the most common signs indicating calf pain include:
- Cramps or soreness of the muscles.
- Pain in lower leg, especially in the lower region.
- Difficulty while walking, causing pain.
- Inflammation of the muscles and tearing of tendons.
- Stiffness during the morning.
- Pointy elevated pain sensation near the shins.
- Tenderness of the calf.
- Persisting pain even during rest.
- Redness, swells, inflammation and/or fever.
- Unusual loss of warmth or color in the regions.
- Visible infections.
- Retention of fluids.
- Feelings of numbness or tingling sensation in the calf region.
- Leg weakness.
Diagnosis
The medical practitioner may prefer to conduct a few physical examinations in order to find the root cause for the pain in a pulled or a strained muscle. In case the issue is found to be more severe than expected during the examination, the doctor may ask for a musculoskeletal USG scan report. A scan report from ultrasound can be used to diagnose the following conditions:
- Achilles tendinitis
- Plantar fascia
- Arterial claudication
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Diabetic neuropathy
Musculoskeletal ultrasound technology can also be used to obtain guidance for providing injection therapies.
Treatment
As like any other issues that can affect the body, the treatment for calf pain is exclusive t the cause of the issue. It is only after the successful diagnosis of the root cause of the pain that it is possible to provide some treatment. Some of the most common treatments include:
1) Rest
It is one of the basic treatments that can be used for most of the cases. Allowing the muscles to rest for some time can allow the subsidy of the acute inflammation of the muscles. At times, providing adequate rest is the only way of relieving the pain in the calf region. In case the conditions get worsened, crutches can be a good option to rely on.
2) Application of heat and ice
Packs of ice or heat pads or both can be used to relief sprains and pulls in the calf muscles. It is one of the most commonly used treatments for the conditions of calf pain. Dependent on the situation, the importance of heat and ice application can vary. It is important to use which during when to ensure the fastest recovery. While ice pads can give best results for inflammation and redness, heat pads can be the best option for stiffness and buckling.
3) Stretching
Stretching can not only help the calf muscles to reduce the pain but can also help the calf muscles to gain more strength. Warming up before work out sessions can be a great way to get rid of chances of sprains while stretching afterwards can aid to the relief of any pulls or strains during the workout session. When followed on a scheduled routine, it can help the calf muscles to become stronger.
4) Anti-inflammatory medications
Many over the counter drugs from your local pharmacies can be used in cases of severe calf pains. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications are some of the most common medications the doctors and physicians prescribe for cases of severe calf pains. These medications help to get control of the inflammation and reduce the swelling alongside beating the pain. Though these medications can bring in immediate results, it is best avoided. If it has to be used, it is advisable to use it under proper medical supervision.
5) Physical therapies
It is one of the essential ways used for dealing all orthopedic condition, be it the hip, knee or calf pain. Professional therapists are known to be mastered in multiple techniques when it comes to developing the strength of the calf muscles or regaining the mobility lost due to stiffness and sprains. Physical therapists can also contribute to helping the patients get back to the activity level that they used to take part in before the injury. The most important part of opting physical therapy is the time of the rehabilitation. If opted at the right time, it can really benefit the individual in the long run.
6) Elevation
It is another basic technique that is used for the common types of calf pain, especially during athletic activities or excessive workout loads. Keeping the legs elevated on multiple pillows to a higher state can bring in increased circulation of blood and thereby reduce the swelling of the affected area.
7) Compression
Using elastic compression wraps are one of the best ways to prevent further injuries to the calf region due to accidental movements or pressure application during the injury. This can also aid to reducing the swelling and taking care of the inflammation if tightly applied on the injured area. It can also prevent sprains and pulls during athletic activities and reduce the stress on calf muscles by distributing the weight and pressure homogenously throughout your leg.