Common questions / 04/12/2020

Why does my calf hurt when I Walk?

Calf pain symptoms Call it a Charley Horse or, more likely, yelp in pain that you have a Charley Horse. Many of us suffer from leg cramps or experience calf pain from time to time. Calf pain can be caused by a number of conditions from electrolyte deficiency and dehydration, to over-exercising, to edema.

What causes swelling and cramping in the calf?

Blood Clot. Blood clots can form in the deep veins of the leg (called a deep vein thrombosis) and cause the classic symptoms of swelling, redness, warmth, and a tender, cramping pain in the calf.

How to know if you have calf pain?

1 Cramps in the calf area 2 Feeling of a muscle strain in the calf 3 Swelling of the calf 4 Tightness in the back of the leg 5 Unusual heat/unusual cold in the back of the leg 6 Tingling in the calf muscle area 7 Sharp pain 8 Weakness in the leg 9 Fluid retention 10 Numbness 11 Loss of balance or coordination

What causes calf pain in the middle of the night?

Three common types of calf pain at night include: 1 Leg cramps 2 Muscle soreness 3 Referred pain from other conditions

Calf pain can be a mild nuisance or 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. 1. Muscle cramp

What causes pain on the right side of the calf?

While muscle injuries are the most common cause of calf pain, there are others that may stem from nerve problems, knee joint problems, or foot and ankle conditions. Achilles Tendonitis/Rupture The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body, and it connects the calf muscles to your heel bone.

Why does my leg hurt in the morning?

Certain types of medication can cause morning leg pains. Other causes for morning leg pains can be the result of health or medical problems. Lengthy bed rests, for instance, commonly cause blood clots in the leg.

What causes numbness and pain in the calf?

Sciatica Sciatica is a result of issues with the sciatic nerve, which controls muscles in the lower leg and back of the knee. It can cause pain, numbness, and tingling in the lower back that can stretch down the leg to the calf and other muscles.

What to do when you wake up with calf pain?

If you wake up with a bad pain in the calf that goes away over time, then a muscle cramp is the most likely problem (even if you can’t remember that happening). Drinking plenty of fluids and doing regular stretching exercises can help.

How big is the shooting pain in my ankle?

I was awoken last night for the first time ever becasue of a STRONG sharp shooting pain on the outside of my right ankle at around where the foot meets the ankle. The pain area is at around the size of a nickle. It speraticly came on and off about every 5 seconds or so each intense pain lasting about a second or two.

Why does my ankle hurt all the time?

If unprotected, the constant abnormal motion of an unstable ankle leads to continued stretching of the fibers, with intermittent pain. Chronic pain at the ligaments often indicates that natural healing did not occur, in which case the ligaments may need to be repaired. Other injuries within the ankle joint also can produce worrisome pain.

What causes shooting pain in the ankle area?

Shooting pain in ankle area with no warning or regularity of physical conditions precipitating pain. It takes my breath away and I feel a bit light headed after 5-20 second attack. Occurs intermittently. I have been instructed to get an EMG and if that is not conclusive to consult a foot/ankle specialist.

What causes swelling and pain in the calf?

Blood clots can form in the deep veins of the leg, causing a blockage in circulation. This may cause swelling and pain in the calf. Blood clots are more common in the days and weeks after injuries and surgical procedures. Knowing if you have a blood clot is important.

What are the signs of an ankle injury?

Common characteristics and accompanying symptoms of ankle pain If you’re experiencing ankle pain, it is also likely to experience: Burning pain in the ankle: While walking, jogging, and running Swelling of the ankle

What do the muscles of the calf feel like?

What calf pain feels like. The calf is comprised of two muscles — the gastrocnemius and the soleus. These muscles meet at the Achilles tendon, which attaches directly to the heel. Any leg or foot motion uses these muscles.

What are the symptoms of a swollen calf?

Top Symptoms: fever, thigh pain, upper leg swelling, calf pain, butt pain Acute compartment syndrome describes the damage done to certain muscle groups of the arms or legs after a traumatic injury. All of the long muscles are bundled into sections – “compartments” – by the white sheets of strong, tough connective tissue called fascia.

When to see a doctor for calf pain?

Persistent pain in the calf should be addressed by a doctor. Compartment syndrome is a painful condition that can occur in the calf muscle or in both legs, usually after a person has experienced a trauma or severe injury. It occurs when excess blood or fluid builds up underneath a band of tough tissues in the body that cannot stretch very well.

What causes pain in the soleus of the calf?

In addition to swelling, bruising (torn blood vessels), and severe, sharp pain, a hematoma (a collection of blood) may form. Soleus Muscle Strain. The soleus muscle is located below the gastrocnemius muscle in the calf. Straining of the soleus muscle is commonly a chronic injury that occurs in long-distance runners.

What causes pain in the back of the calf?

These muscles meet at the Achilles tendon, which attaches directly to the heel. Any leg or foot motion uses these muscles. Calf pain varies from person to person, but it typically feels like a dull, aching, or sharp pain, sometimes with tightness, in the back of the lower leg. Symptoms that might indicate a more severe condition include:

When to seek emergency treatment for calf pain?

Other signs a person should seek emergency treatment for calf pain include: 1 fever that is greater than 100°F 2 swollen leg that is pale or cool to the touch 3 sudden extreme swelling in the legs More

What causes tightness in the calf at night?

The sufferer will usually experience calf pains at night. Tightness and pain can range from mild to severe, and can last a few seconds or several minutes. This form of calf pain may happen for unknown reasons or due to excessive exercise, pregnancy, medications, or liver disease. 7. Rhabdomyolysis

What are the different levels of calf pain?

Calf muscle pain is categorized into three grades or levels according to the severity of the damage or injury. Grade I: Refers to overstretching or a minor-sized tear of a calf muscle. There is a slight pain, but it does not affect Grade II: Medium-sized tearing or stretching of the muscle fibers.

What does lower calf and upper calf pain mean?

Upper calf pain usually indicates damage near the junction between the muscle tendon and muscle belly and mid calf pain indicates a tear in the muscle belly and lower calf pain typically indicates tendonopathy in the achilles tendon, which joins the calf muscles to the foot.

What causes muscle cramps in the calf area?

Causes. A variety of conditions and situations can cause calf pain, including: 1. Muscle cramp. Muscle cramps in the calf are a common complaint for those who exercise frequently. Calf muscle cramps are usually temporary but can cause significant pain and discomfort. Causes of calf muscle cramps include: dehydration.

Why are my calves so sore?

Some of the most common causes of calf pain include muscle strains, soreness after exercising, and cramps. A more serious potential cause of pain is deep vein thrombosis (DVT), i.e., a blood clot in the calf, which needs to be treated immediately.

What are the best exercises for pulled calf muscle?

Running, walking, and hiking are excellent calf-strengthening exercises, especially when you go uphill. The steeper the climb, the more your calves have to work. Running sports such as soccer, basketball, and tennis demand that you run, jump, and push off your calf muscles to accelerate or change direction quickly.

What is the recovery time for a torn calf?

Torn Calf Muscle Recovery. The best way to recover from a torn calf muscle is by protection, rest, ice, compression, and elevation (PRICE). If treated properly, it can take up to three weeks to heal Grade 1 calf pulls, four to six weeks to heal Grade 2 muscle strains, and three to four months to heal Grade 3 tears.

What are the symptoms of a torn muscle in the calf?

Notable symptoms for a strained or torn calf muscle are stiffness, swelling, pain, and bruising. However, depending on the severity of the injury, it can result in more specific symptoms based on grade: Grade 1 symptoms include a cramping sensation, tightness, and slight pain when the calf muscles stretch and contract.

Artery blockages (also known as peripheral artery disease) – Many people with poor circulation have leg pain when walking or calf pain when walking. This is called intermittent claudication.

Is there pain in the left calf muscle?

The most I felt was maybe a slight bit of soreness, and my left calf muscles felt a little tight, but no pain. Right calf felt perfectly fine the whole time.

Why does my leg hurt when I walk at night?

Calf pain when walking is very different than calf pain at night in bed. In other words, leg pain at night has a very different list of causes than leg pain when walking. For instance, most artery blockages will not result in leg pain at night unless the blockages are very advanced and severe.

Your calf is stiff and weak when you walk. You find it hard to rise up onto your toes. You may have bruising on your calf after 1 or 2 days. What causes calf pain? Calf pain is usually caused by cramp, when your muscles suddenly contract.

You have pain that can range from a dull ache to a sharp, intense pain. Your calf is stiff and weak when you walk. You find it hard to rise up onto your toes. You may have bruising on your calf after 1 or 2 days. What causes calf pain? Calf pain is usually caused by cramp, when your muscles suddenly contract.

How long does it take for calf pain to go away?

Like gastrocnemius strains, you may not feel pain right away; bruising, pain, and swelling may take a few minutes, hours, or even days to develop. Some people may also have cramping of the calf muscle. Fortunately, this injury should also heal on its own.

What is calf pain a sign of?

Most times, calf pain is not a sign of a serious condition; however, it could be a sign of an underlying condition that causes swelling, tingling, and pain in that area of the leg including diabetes or sciatica.

What causes severe pain in the calf?

Claudication pain in the calf is usually described as cramping and results from narrowing of the artery in the mid-thigh (superficial femoral) or the knee (popliteal artery). A bone break or fracture in one of the lower leg bones (the tibia or fibula) may cause severe calf pain. Leg deformity and swelling may also be present.

What to do for calf muscle pain?

An ice pack, which can help with calf muscle pain. Ice cubes placed in a plastic bag can be used as a cold compress for a sore calf muscle. A medical professional should be consulted if calf muscle pains persist over time.

What happens when you get kicked in the calf?

Calf contusion. A contusion occurs following a direct impact or trauma to the calf muscles, for example being kicked in the back of the leg in a game. The force of the impact crushes the muscle against the bone, causing bleeding and swelling.

What should I do if I have calf pain?

1 Protection: Apply a cloth bandage, splint, or immobilizer to the foot, ankle, or calf to protect the injury and allow the muscles to rest. 2 Rest: Avoid using the calf muscle more than necessary. 3 Ice: Apply a cloth-covered ice pack for 10 to 15 minutes at a time to help reduce inflammation.

What are the symptoms of a calf contusion?

For example, being kicked in the back of the leg in a game. Symptoms of a calf muscle contusion include: Sudden pain resulting from a direct trauma to the muscle. Pain may be mild, or so severe you will be unable to walk properly. The area will be tender and swollen. Bruising may, or may not appear depending on the type, and how bad your injury is.

What causes calf pain and what to do about it?

Calf Pain Causes and Treatments 1 Muscle cramp. 2 Muscle strain. 3 Achilles tendonitis. 4 Sciatica. 5 Contusion. 6 (more items)

What should I do if I have a calf strain?

A calf strain is a tear of the muscles at the back of the lower leg. A sudden sharp pain is felt and can range from mild to very severe. Treatment includes rest, ice and compression during the acute stage followed by a full rehabilitation program consisting of stretching and strengthening exercises.

How to get rid of calf muscle pain?

Build the strength of the calf muscles using calf raises, with the knee slightly bent and straight, without gripping with the toes, and with just a single leg at a time. Full ankle range of motion is key. Causing calf muscle fatigue is the goal.

How to deal with leg pain while walking?

Don’t ignore it 1 Pay attention to the pattern of leg pain. The cramping and pain in the calves, thighs, hips, or buttocks that people with PAD experience during movement is called intermittent claudication. 2 Talk to your doctor about leg pain when walking. 3 Treating PAD: Lifestyle changes and more. …

Why does my leg hurt when I walk uphill?

An early symptom of PAD can be pain on walking — most commonly in the calf muscle but also in the thigh or buttock muscle — a condition known as intermittent claudication. Walking uphill, rushing or carrying a heavy bag can make it worse.

Why does my calf hurt when I walk on it?

If it ruptures, calf pain occurs as fluid travels down into the area. Bone tumors or fractures are other possible causes of calf pain. If you have calf pain, see your doctor to find out the cause and the most appropriate treatment.

What causes pain in lower leg when walking?

Claudication from lower-leg peripheral artery disease —when there is reduced blood flow in the arteries of the lower legs —can cause pain in the buttock, hip, thigh, calf, and/or foot upon walking a certain distance. 9 The pain resolves with rest within 10 minutes.

Where does pain come from when you walk?

It can occur in the buttocks, thigh, calf, or foot, but occurs most often in the calf. The pain tends to come on with walking, gets worse until the person stops walking, and goes away with rest.

What causes pain in the calf after surgery?

A blood clot may form within the veins, which impairs blood flow resulting in calf pain and swelling. This usually occurs after a surgical procedure where the patient is unable to move for a prolonged time. 17.

What’s the best way to prevent calf pain?

Stretching before and after all workouts helps repair and strengthen the calf, thereby preventing future pain and injury. Make sure you have enough time to rest between workouts to help facilitate this muscle repair and growth. Stay hydrated. Staying hydrated is another key way to prevent calf pain.

What to do for pain in left calf?

Here are some of the treatment options for pain in left calf. Resting: Allowing the calf muscles to rest can allow the inflammation to subside. More often than not, this should resolve the problem. Use crutches if the symptoms are severe.

What’s causing your calf pain?

Calf muscle pain is often caused by overuse or a sports injury. However, it can also indicate an underlying medical issue, including deep vein thrombosis or diabetic neuropathy.

What causes intermittent muscle spasms in the calf?

Causes Muscle cramp. Muscle cramps in the calf are a common complaint for those who exercise frequently. Muscle strain. A calf muscle strain occurs when the muscle fibers in the calf tear either partially or completely. Arterial claudication. Neurogenic claudication. Achilles tendinitis. Compartment syndrome. Diabetic neuropathy. Plantar fasciitis. Varicose veins.

Can claudication be reversed?

The temporary pain you’re feeling is caused by impeded blood flow, also known as intermittent claudication. The pain indicates that not enough blood is getting through the veins in your arms or legs because they have been blocked, probably by large deposits of plaque. It can be serious, but luckily, it can also be reversed.

Can sciatica cause pain even in the calf?

Sciatica causes pain that begins in the lower back and spreads through the buttock, leg, calf and, occasionally, the foot. The pain generally will feel dull, aching or burning. Sometimes, it starts gradually, worsens during the night, and is aggravated by motion. Sciatica also can cause tingling, numbness or muscle weakness in the affected leg.

What to do if you have pain in your left calf?

Stretching: Sometimes, stretching the tendons and muscles in the affected calf can help relieve the pain. You should establish and follow a good stretching routine until the pain is no more. Physical therapy: Treatment of any orthopedic condition should be accompanied by physical therapy. This helps to increase muscle strength and regain mobility.

Can a blood clot in the calf go away?

Most calf pain will go away on its own, so there’s no need to panic with each ache you experience in your calf. But calf pain should be taken seriously if it is intense and does not go away. Blood clots are highly treatable, so a simple consultation with your doctor could save your life.

What does pain in the calf muscles indicate?

Calf muscle pain is often caused by overuse or a sports injury. However, it can also indicate an underlying medical issue, including deep vein thrombosis or diabetic neuropathy .

What is the sharp pain in my calf?

A calf strain is a tear in either the gastrocnemius muscle or the soleus muscle which together make up the calf muscle group. Sudden sharp pain is felt, usually in the middle of the calf muscle area at the point where the gastrocnemius muscle connects to the Achilles tendon . The muscle will often be tender to touch at the point of injury.

Why does my soleus muscle hurt when I Walk?

Someone who suffers from soleus muscle pain will likely have trouble going up and down the stairs, running, dancing, or walking briskly. This type of calf muscle pain can also lead to a sense of imbalance.

Why do I have pain in my legs?

Most leg pain results from wear and tear, overuse, or injuries in joints or bones or in muscles, ligaments, tendons or other soft tissues. Some types of leg pain can be traced to problems in your lower spine.

What causes pain in the lower leg after a fall?

While muscle strains usually cause mild soreness, you may also experience cramping or a sharp, tearing sensation, especially if the strain is sudden and/or severe. In addition to pain, swelling and bruising may also occur over the affected muscle. Muscle strains may occur as a result of sudden trauma, like a fall or a blow to the muscle.