About Calf Pain
The calf is made up of two muscles, the gastrocnemius and the soleus. Together, these muscles lift and lower the heel of the foot. The gastrocnemius lifts and lowers the heel when the leg is straight, while the soleus does the same job when the knee is bent. Pain in the calf is not uncommon among those who exercise on a regular basis, but not all calf pain is related to activity levels. Pain is never normal and any pain that persists needs to be checked by a doctor.
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Muscle Strain
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The most common cause of calf pain is muscle strain. Muscle strain in the calf generally occurs from not stretching enough before or after a workout or pushing the body too hard. Strains can take anywhere from a few days to a several months to heal, depending on the severity. A person who ignores an initial strain and continues to work out on the calf muscle is likely to suffer from a more severe strain. The typical remedy for calf strain is what doctors call "RICE." Rest the muscle as much as possible. Ice the injury. Use compression. Finally, elevate the leg as much as possible to help reduce swelling. If a strain does not improve on its own after a week or two, medical attention is necessary.
Baker's Cyst
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Sometimes too much fluid builds up in the knee and it forms a kind of cyst called a Baker's cyst. If that cyst ruptures, it tends to cause a great deal of pain on the back of the knee and all the way down the calf muscle. A Baker's cyst is usually caused by a joint condition such as arthritis. In most cases, treating the cause of the cyst is the best way to deal with this kind of pain. A doctor can help pinpoint what caused the cyst and treatment will usually stop the cyst from coming back.
Blood Clots
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Blood is supposed to clot on the outside of the body, to form protective scabs that prevent bacteria from entering the body. But sometimes blood clots internally. This is very dangerous. Blood clots in the leg can break loose and travel to the heart, lungs or brain causing serious and life-threatening conditions. Blood clots in the legs often start as a throbbing pain in the calf. The area will become tender to the touch and will turn red first, then blue or white as the blood flow because more disrupted. Anyone who suspects a blood clot should seek immediate medical attention.
Muscle Cramps
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One of the most common forms of calf pain comes from muscle cramps. Cramps are common after aerobic exercise. Legs cramps also are extremely common in pregnant women. The best way to prevent leg cramps is to stretch well before and after exercising and to drink plenty of water. Dehydration can lead to cramping. If a cramp occurs, a mild pain reliever will help ease the pain. Using a heating pad on the lowest setting also can help.
Other Causes of Calf Pain
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Calf pain can also be caused by dietary deficiencies such as a lack of potassium or calcium. Regular calf pain that can't be explained by injury requires an in-depth look into the person's diet. Blood tests can be run for such deficiencies. Low blood sugar can cause cramping in the calf muscle. Also, in rare cases, calf pain can be caused by a nervous system disorder. A doctor should check any pain that is persistent and has not been caused by exercise or injury.
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