Many people often feel the muscles in the calf area, but the reason is unknown. According to studies, calf muscle pain can stem from many different causes. This is even a sign of serious illnesses that you cannot ignore.
There is a group of muscles on the back of each leg that doctors call the “calf muscle”. This muscle group plays an important role in everyone’s life because it is the muscle group that helps you walk and run. Therefore, you cannot ignore your calf pain. Instead, pay attention to the signs of pain, find the cause, and get the right treatment.
Why do you often have calf muscle pain?
1. Muscle cramps
If you work your leg muscles too much or stay in one position for too long, you may experience sudden pain in your legs. This is called a calf muscle cramp. In addition, not drinking enough water is also a cause of leg cramps. Most cramps are harmless, can be massaged, gently stretched or applied with a warm towel, the cramps will automatically subside.
However, in some cases, cramps can be caused by other health problems such as compressed nerves and we should not be subjective about this condition.
Cramps can lead to severe calf muscle pain
2. Muscle tension
Muscle strain is also a cause of frequent calf muscle pain. When you stretch your legs too much or put too much pressure on your calves, you can strain your muscles and cause a dull ache in your calves. When you move, the pain can get worse and lead to calf swelling, redness, or bruising.
At this time, it is necessary to rest, apply ice to the calf area for temporary pain relief. Also, when sitting, try to raise your calves higher than the height of your hips!
A note for you is that muscle tension can last up to 6 weeks, so don’t be hasty if you find that this condition cannot be relieved after a few days.
3. Achilles Tendonitis (Heel Tendonitis)
The heel tendon connects your calf muscle and heel bone together. So, if you have Achilles tendonitis, you will feel pain and tightness in the calf area, especially in the morning. Tendonitis can be improved with rest, ice, and proper treatment. If the condition is more severe, your doctor may ask you to perform physical therapy exercises to relieve pain and help you recover more quickly.
Achilles tendonitis is also a cause of calf muscle pain
4. Popliteal cyst (baker cyst)
A synovial cyst is a condition in which synovial fluid (synovial fluid) – the fluid that helps the knee joint move smoothly accumulates and forms a benign tumor behind the knee. When you have a baker’s cyst, your knee will be swollen, unable to straighten, causing pain. This condition is not only in the knee but also spreads to your calves, causing calf muscle pain.
5. Sciatica pain
If the sciatic nerve in the lower back is compressed or inflamed, you will feel pain in the calf muscles. At this point, you can try massage, acupuncture, yoga or use some pain reliever to temporarily dispel the pain in this calf muscle.
6. Chronic compartment syndrome
Chronic compartment syndrome, also known as compartment syndrome, can lead to pain in your calf muscles.
To explain this syndrome, experts say, chronic compartment syndrome is a condition in which the muscles inside your legs swell, causing increased pressure in the cavity (any enclosed space of the body such as the muscle bundle). or bone cavity…). When this pressure is high, blood vessels in the legs can burst, preventing oxygen from reaching the muscles and nerves, which leads to pain and damage in the calf muscles.
Calf muscle pain can be caused by chronic compartment syndrome
7. Varicose veins
Another cause of leg muscle pain is varicose veins. When you have to stand or walk a lot, your legs can be under a lot of pressure, which can lead to varicose veins in one or both legs.
At this time, the veins in the legs will thicken and bulge, causing burning pain, swelling and itching for the legs. Your calf muscles can also be dull or severe, depending on how severe the condition is. To improve this condition, you should exercise so that the blood can pump to the calves as well as limit movement or standing too much.
8. Deep vein thrombosis
Blood clots that form deep inside your leg can cause calf muscles to feel sore and warm. At this time, the skin on the calves may also be red and make you feel uncomfortable. If this clot breaks off, blood can travel to the lungs and lead to serious complications to your health.
9. The condition of the leg pain is intermittent
Claudication – claudication can lead to severe calf muscle pain. Usually, claudication occurs when you have atherosclerosis that blocks or narrows the arteries in your legs, preventing blood from reaching your calves. When you sit to rest, blood goes down the calf, this pain will temporarily stop.
When you have intermittent leg pain, you will feel the calf muscles hurt in waves
10. Neurologic deficits
Neurogenic Claudication is a sign of lumbar spinal stenosis. When experiencing this condition, you will feel the pain from the lower back to the leg and make your calf muscles also feel pain.
11. Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
Up to half of people with diabetes have nerve damage. Peripheral neuropathy caused by chronically high blood sugar can cause numbness, pain, and a burning sensation in your legs. Furthermore, people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy may also experience pain and numbness in the arms and upper arms.
12. Lower leg fracture
The tibia is the bone that helps you bear the weight of your lower leg. If this bone is cracked or broken, your calf may be tender, swollen, or bruised. You will feel extremely painful when moving, moving.
13. Bone infections
Germs can get into your bones and cause an infection known as osteomyelitis. When there is an infection in the shin bone, you will notice that the calf is red, swollen, and hot. In addition, you may also have a fever and feel tired.
A bone infection is a serious condition that causes leg muscle pain, fever, and fatigue
What to do when you have calf pain?
- When you have calf pain, you can apply heat or ice for temporary relief
- If the pain is more severe, you can take painkillers and then go to the medical facility to be diagnosed and given the most appropriate treatment.
- Soaking feet with hot water or acupuncture is also the secret to help you dispel calf pain
- However, it is best to limit these pains by adding foods rich in nutrients that are good for muscles such as chicken, protein powder, soybeans, eggs, salmon, tuna …
- In addition, you should exercise regularly to limit cramps and muscle tension
If you don’t have a workout plan yet, connect with easyhealthylive.com coaches. They will help you come up with a good workout plan. In addition, the trainers also monitor your nutrition, helping you to adjust your current diet. From there, you will form more active and healthy living habits.
During the epidemic season, easyhealthylive.com coaches always follow the 5K principle of the Ministry of Health when practicing for you at home. If you feel nervous, you can practice online with a coach. easyhealthylive.com has a variety of choices, as long as you want to change yourself, want to be healthier, LEEP takes care of the rest. Let’s experience easyhealthylive.com right now.
Reference source
Why Does My Calf Muscle Hurt? https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/ss/slideshow-why-does-my-calf-muscle-hurt June 16, 2021
John Alen was born in 1971 and is a doctor in the healthcare and psychology fields with many years of experience. He is currently working at easyhealthylive.com, a leading health and psychology blog. Having studied at Y1 National Medical University named after IM Sechenov, John Alen is using his knowledge and experience to help improve the physical and mental health of people in the United States.
