Calf Pain

What is calf pain? Here I discuss the condition, symptoms and potential causes of why you may get pain in the calf.....

The calf is the area on the back of the leg between the knee and ankle. Pain in this area can cause problems when walking, running and jumping. It is important that a full assessment is undertaken to ensure correct diagnosis and treatment.

There are a number of potential causes of calf pain, from injury, to underlying medical conditions, or problems with nerves or arteries in the lower leg.

Symptoms:

Pain can vary from person to person. It usually feels like a dull ache, or sharp pain.

Symptoms can also include:

·         Swelling

·         Tingling or numbness in the calf and/or leg

·         Weakness of the leg

·         Fluid retention

·         Abnormal cool or pale colour in the calf

·         Redness, warm and tenderness in the calf

Causes:

1.       Muscle cramp

Cramp is an involuntary, sudden and painful contraction of muscle. They can be brief or can last several minutes.

Cramp is very common and usually caused by over exercising or doing new exercises. Other causes include dehydration, low salt levels, or muscle injuries.

There can be more serious causes of muscle cramps which include:

·         Kidney failure

·         Hypothyroidism

·         Alcoholism

·         Diabetes

·         Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD)

Treatment for muscle cramps:

·         Stretches

·         Massage

·         Good diet

·         Supportive footwear

2.       Muscle Strain

Usually caused from overuse, fatigue or improper use of a muscle. It will usually be felt as it occurs with sudden onset pain and soreness in calf. Mild to moderate strains can be treated with ice, heat and anti-inflammatories. More severe strains or tears require medical attention.

3.       Achilles Tendonitis

This condition is characterised by pain and swelling in and around the achilles tendon at the back of the lower leg.

It is usually caused by overuse due to repetitive strain and excessive stress to the area.

Symptoms include pain, swelling, and reduced range of motion in the ankle joint.

Treatment should initially be PRICE:

P- Protection

R- Rest

I- Ice

C- Compression

E-Elevation

If PRICE doesn’t work or pain increases then seek medical attention.

4.       Sciatica

This is a condition when the sciatic nerve (which runs from your hips to your feet) is irritated.

This can cause pain, numbness, and tingling in the lower back that can stretch down the leg and into the calf.

Sciatica usually resolves in 4-6 weeks but can sometimes take longer.

Self treatment includes:

·         Carry on with normal activities as much as possible

·         Do regular back stretches

·         Do gentle exercises to keep moving

·         Apply heat packs to painful areas

·         Speak to pharmacy regarding pain relief

5.       Contusion of lower leg

This is a bruise from a direct blow or impact. The bruises maybe visible to the surface of the skin or maybe within the muscle strength. These bruises usually heal on their own.

6.       Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

A DVT is a blood clot that forms in the deep veins of the calf.

Symptoms include:

·         Pain and tenderness along the line of the vein.

·         Swelling

·         Warm skin that looks red

·         Leg tenderness

Risk factors:

·         Family history

·         Male gender

·         Smoking

·         Age over 60

·         Being overweight

·         Having varicose veins

·         Dehydration

·         Heart failure

·         Combined oral contraceptive pill

·         Immobilisation- sitting long periods (e.g long haul flight)

                           - Following injury/ surgery (e.g in a cast)

A DVT is a serious cause of calf pain and requires immediate medical attention.

7.       Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD)

PVD is a blood circulation disorder that causes a narrowing of the blood vessels and reduces blood flow. Many people with PVD have no symptoms, but some symptoms include:

·         Intermittent claudication- Painful ache in the back of the legs when walking which disappears after a few minutes rest.

·         Both legs are usually affected at the same time, although pain maybe worse in one leg.

·         Hair loss on feet and legs

·         Numbness or weakness in legs

·         Brittle, slow growing nails

·         Shiny skin

·         Skin turning pale or blue

·         Muscle sin legs shrinking

·         Ulcers (open sores) which don’t heal

Causes:

·         Smoking

·         Diabetes

·         Increased blood pressure

·         Increased cholesterol

·         Increased risk with age

·         Male more at risk than female

Treatment:

·         See GP for medication review

·         Healthy diet

·         Healthy lifestyle- Exercise, Weight loss, and reduced alcohol intake

This blog post is for information only and should not be used for diagnosis purposes. If you do have concerns regarding calf pain, it is always recommended to seek professional medical attention for correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.