Calf pain

People suffering from pain in their calves may experience a wide range of symptoms. Some of those include: 

• Numbness

• Pins and needles

• Tightness

• Tingling around the calf

• Weakness

• Burning sensation 

• Swelling

• Varicose veins

• Redness

• Fatigue

• Pain in the joints

• Irregular sleep (READ : Sleep Deprivation)

Some symptoms require medical attention immediately. These include:

• Swelling

• Fatigue

• Throbbing pain after light movement

• Numbness

• Paleness in calf skin

• Difficulty breathing

In most cases calf pain is caused by injury. The frequency of calf pain increases with age and people who are involved in strenuous everyday activities that require movement of legs are more prone to calf pain.

Some other causes of calf pain include:

MUSCLE CRAMPS

Muscle cramps are intense short lived pain in the lower calf caused by sudden muscle contractions. The reason for cramps include :

1. Loss of electrolytes (READ : Electrolyte Imbalance, Symptoms, Causes)

2. Dehydration

3. Prolonged exercises

4. Insufficient stretching

5. Muscle weakness

ACHILLES TENDONITIS

Achilles tendon forms a link between the heels and the calf muscle. Sometimes by injury or strain on the achilles tendon, it can tear and lead to inflammation and pain. People with achilles tendonitis also have trouble in leg movement.

PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE

This is also known as peripheral vascular disease. In this condition fat is accumulated along the inner walls of arteries, narrowing the artery width and sometimes leading to complete blockage of arteries. As a result blood supply is affected. If this condition arises in the legs, a person has difficulty in movement and pain in the calf.

SCIATICA

Sciatic nerve runs down the leg and is responsible for controlling the lower leg. Sometimes the vertebral column enclosing the spinal cord narrows, pinching the nerves. If the sciatic nerve is affected it causes pain in the leg including the calf. 

DIABETIC NEUROPATHY

This condition arises when nerve damage is caused by diabetes. High blood sugar has the potential to damage nerves more commonly that of the limbs which in turn causes severe pain which can be transmitted to the calves as well.

DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS

When blood gets clumped together to form a clot in the deep veins of limbs, it is termed as deep vein thrombosis. This condition compromises proper blood flow and cause severe pain in the legs including the calf.

COMPARTMENT SYNDROME

This is a condition of pressure buildup within the muscle compartments caused by collection of fluid beneath the muscles. The fluid leads the buildup of extra pressure which is exerted on nerves and blood vessels. This causes piercing pain, swelling and numbness in the area.

The doctor will examine the area of pain and will also look for swelling and the range of movement limited by the leg. The doctor may check the medications that have been previously prescribed and look for family medical history of the patient. 

The doctor can also recommend an ultrasound to identify more serious issues.

The calf pain can be self treated for mild cases. The PRICE method is useful in such cases, which stands for-

• PROTECTION - Protecting the calf with bandages to let the injury heal on its own.

• REST 

• ICE - Ice helps to keep the inflammation in check. 

• COMPRESSION - Compressing the affected area with a bandage can help in reducing swelling.

• ELEVATION - Elevating the leg on a raised platform like a pillow can help decrease the swelling

The doctor will recommend physiotherapy if the calf pain persists. It can manage the symptoms and reduce calf pain with the help of low impact exercises.

For diabetic neuropathy, doctors will look for controlling diabetes. 

In DVT, medications and surgery may be required to remove the clot.

Surgery is needed to treat compartment syndrome where the fascia is removed to relieve the pressure.