calf pain when walking treatment

You can usually treat mild calf muscle pain at home using the RICE method:

• Rest: Avoid walking or running with calf muscle pain. Don’t push through pain, which can make the problem worse.
• Ice: Put an ice pack or cold compress on your calf muscles for 20 minutes every two hours. Don’t apply ice directly to...
• Compression: Apply a compression bandage or wrap to your calf.

Full Answer

Why does my calf hurt when walking?

 · Make an appointment with your doctor if you have calf pain when walking that: doesn’t improve or gets worse with a few days of at-home care makes moving around or performing daily activities difficult affects your range of movement

What is the treatment for calf pain?

 · Treatment of Calf Pain when Walking. In medicine, treatment usually depends on the cause. If you are experiencing calf pain when walking, treatment will be different depending on the cause. Here are a few examples (Obviously consult your doctor before doing any of these): Stretching exercises – I am listing this first, because it is often overlooked.

What causes tight calves when walking?

 · Stretches that address general lower body flexibility and specific calf stretches will help you feel ready for running or walking. Some low-intensity movement to promote blood flow and tissue extensibility can also help. Lastly, consider use of a foam roller on any tight or trouble areas both before and after movement. Calf Stretches

Why are my calves sore from running?

 · Calf Muscle Pain Treatment 1. Rest. Resting the calf muscles can alleviate the pain, reduce any swelling, and speed up the recovery time whether it... 2. Ice and Heat Compress. Apply a cold or ice compress to the affected calf to treat the inflammation, pain, and... 3. Compression. Use a compression ...

What does it mean if your calf hurts when you walk?

Claudication is a common condition where pain occurs in the legs with exercise due to a reduction in the circulation. The cause is hardening of the arteries otherwise known as atherosclerosis. The common symptom is of a cramp like pain developing in the calf muscles on walking.

What is the fastest way to relieve calf pain?

Home remedies for calf pain reliefR.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compression, and elevation). Icing and elevating the leg are two common principles of R.I.C.E. ... OTC medications. Calf pain can also be soothed with common pain relievers such as ibuprofen or naproxen. ... Stretching. Light stretching can help ease calf pain.

How do you treat a sore calf?

Management and TreatmentRest: Stop running or physical activity to avoid further damaging the calf.Ice: Apply an ice pack or cold compress for 20 minutes every two hours. ... Compression: Reduce swelling and fluid buildup by applying a compression bandage or wrap to the injured area.More items...•

Should I stop walking if my calves hurt?

“So, [people] who start feeling pain in their legs when they walk may think they're getting old and stop walking. That's exactly what you don't want to do.” If you have pain, or other symptoms, see your doctor to find out why it's occurring.

What is the best medicine for calf pain?

Calf pain can also be soothed with common pain relievers such as ibuprofen or naproxen. You can shop for pain relievers on Amazon. Stretching. Light stretching can help ease calf pain.

What deficiency causes calf pain?

Iron deficiency can also cause anemia which in severe cases can cause painful lower leg cramps.

Should you massage a calf strain?

Massage of the injured area or the tissues surrounding the area may be helpful in both decreasing swelling and decreasing pain.

How long does a calf muscle take to heal?

Healing of a calf muscle usually takes about 6-8 weeks however everyone recovers from injury at different rates. The rate of healing of your muscle will depend on how severe your injury is as well as any other medical problems you may already have.

Do stairs help calves?

Climbing stairs is one of the best exercises when it comes to pure FAT BURN, strengthening the lower body, toning the butt, thighs, calves, losing inches from those love handles and belly and building great abs. Along with these benefits is the immense good it does for your lungs and cardio vascular system.

What is the home remedy for leg pain?

Home CareRest as much as possible.Elevate your leg.Apply ice for up to 15 minutes. Do this 4 times per day, more often for the first few days.Gently stretch and massage cramping muscles.Take over-the-counter pain medicines such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

What helps with leg pain from walking?

Rest your leg as much as possible, and elevate your leg with pillows. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, to help ease discomfort as your leg heals. Wear compression socks or stockings with support.

How do you massage tight calves?

0:212:05Sports Massage for the Calf Muscles - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWith the hands apply light but firm strokes along the full length of the muscle applying lightMoreWith the hands apply light but firm strokes along the full length of the muscle applying light pressure on the way up very gently downwards along the sides just in contact with the skin.

What to do when your calf hurts when walking?

Here are a few examples (Obviously consult your doctor before doing any of these): Stretching exercises – I am listing this first, because it is often overlooked.

What is the diagnosis of calf pain when walking?

Diagnosis of the Cause for Calf Pain when Walking. Any diagnosis in medicine has three steps: talking to the patient, examining the patient and diagnostic tests: Patient story – Patients tend to describe pain differently depending on the cause.

What is the treatment for peripheral artery disease?

Medication – If a medicine is the cause, stop the medicine or replace it. But medication can be the treatment for some of the other causes. For example cilostazol improves walking in patients with peripheral artery disease.

What does it mean when your legs are not working properly?

Veins function to get blood back to the heart. If leg veins are not working properly, pressure will build up in the legs . This pressure can result in swelling, but it can also result in discomfort with walking. This is also called venous insufficiency.

What is the best way to walk through pain?

The truth is it depends. If the cause of the pain is a joint issue, maybe resting is the best strategy. But if the pain is from peripheral artery disease, walking through the pain is actually the best way to go. Medication – If a medicine is the cause, stop the medicine or replace it.

What to do when you have tight muscles?

Stretching exercises – I am listing this first, because it is often overlooked. Stretching can really do wonders if the pain is a result of tight muscles.

What is the first test for calf pain?

Diagnostic testing for calf pain when walking – The first test to order is the ankle brachial index. A more detailed version would be pulse volume recordings. Adding exercise can add information. Sometimes your doctor will need information about the structure of your arteries or joints. Then a CT or MR is ordered.

How to diagnose calf pain?

To diagnose your calf pain, a doctor will likely perform a physical exam and ask you about your medical history. They may also order imaging tests, such as an X-ray, ultrasound, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Sometimes, blood tests are also needed. 5

What is calf pain?

Calf pain can be broken up into two categories: pain that is related to the muscles, and pain that is not. Muscular pain often results from acute or chronic physical strain. These are the types of injuries that commonly happen in sports or other types of physical activity.

What causes calf pain?

Conditions that affect your legs' arteries, nerves, tendons, muscles, or bones can cause calf pain. Some non-muscle related injuries are life-threatening; go to a hospital if your pain starts suddenly without any apparent cause.

What does it mean when you feel pain in your buttocks?

With claudication, you may feel pain in your buttock, hip, thigh, calf, and/or foot upon walking short distances. Some people experience pain in their leg while lying in bed at night—this is a sign that the condition is getting worse. 19

What causes claudication in the lower leg?

Peripheral artery disease can reduce blood flow in the arteries of the lower legs, leading to claudication (cramping pain during activity). This is due to narrowed or blocked arteries in the mid-thigh or the knee. 18

What nerve causes numbness in the leg?

The nerve that is most prone to nerve entrapment is the peroneal nerve. When this nerve is pinched, you may feel numbness, tingling, and sharp pain in the leg or the top of the foot. 12.

What causes swelling in the calf?

Blood clots can form in the deep veins of the leg—a condition known as deep vein thrombosis. This can cause swelling, redness, warmth, and a tender, cramping pain in the calf. 9

What is the pain in the calf muscle?

Frequent stretching can often help to reduce symptoms. 6. Compartment syndrome. 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.

Why does my calf hurt?

A person may experience calf pain due to narrowing or blockages in the arteries that supply blood flow to the legs. This is known as arterial claudication.

What causes a throbbing sensation in the legs?

Varicose most commonly appear in the legs and can cause pain, throbbing, cramping, and aching.

How do you know if you have plantar fasciitis?

The most common symptoms of plantar fasciitis are foot pain when waking and difficulty flexing the foot.

What is the condition where the calf muscles are too tight?

8. Plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is a condition that affects the plantar fascia tissue located on the bottom of the foot. If the calf muscles are too tight, a person may be more likely to experience plantar fascia because the calf muscles cannot support the foot.

Why does my leg feel numb?

It occurs when excess blood or fluid builds up underneath a band of tough tissues in the body that cannot stretch very well. This fluid places extra pressure on the nerves and blood vessels in the lower leg , causing pain, swelling, numbness, and tingling.

What is calf muscle strain?

Muscle strain. A calf muscle strain occurs when the muscle fibers in the calf tear either partially or completely. The symptoms will vary depending on the severity of the strain, but most people will experience sudden, sharp pain and tenderness at the calf muscle site. 3.

What is the treatment for calf pain?

For calf pain caused by conditions like DVT, compartment syndrome, or DPN, medical intervention, including surgery and medications, will be required.

How to help calf pain?

For calf pain caused by overuse or mild-to-moderate trauma, here are a few tips: R.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compression, and elevation). Icing and elevating the leg are two common princip les of R.I.C.E. that are useful for calf pain. Try elevating your leg at or above the level of your heart to get swelling to decrease.

What is the best medication for calf pain?

OTC medications. Calf pain can also be soothed with common pain relievers such as ibuprofen or naproxen. You can shop for pain relievers on Amazon.

What is the condition of the feet and legs?

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a form of nerve damage that affects the feet, legs, arms and hands. This condition is a common complication of diabetes resulting from overexposure to high blood sugar, genetic factors, or nerve inflammation. Other symptoms of DPN include: sharp pain. muscle cramps.

What to do if home treatment doesn't work?

If home treatment doesn’t work or your pain gets worse, it’s important to see a doctor.

What causes a tear in the back of the leg?

Severe strains or tears may require medical treatment. 3. Achilles tendonitis. Achilles tendonitis is caused by overuse, strain, or stress on the Achilles tendon. Common symptoms include inflammation of the tendon, pain in the back of the leg, swelling, and limited range of motion when flexing your foot.

Why does my calf hurt?

Calf pain can result from a number of causes, including overworking the muscle, cramps, and foot conditions. While most cases of calf pain can be treated at home, other causes may require immediate medical attention. 1. Muscle cramp. Muscle cramps are sudden, painful contractions of the muscles. They can be brief or last for several minutes ...

How to reduce calf strain?

The catch is that it requires a lot more strength and stability in the smaller intrinsic muscles of the lower leg and feet. Barefoot running may be a great option for reducing calf strain and potentially boosting your tolerance for running. Talk with your physical therapist and make sure you start slowly and comfortably whenever you’re trying a new running technique.

What to do if your legs are stiff?

Proper warm-up for the lower leg muscles is always important before exercise and running, especially if you tend to feel stiff or tight. Stretches that address general lower body flexibility and specific calf stretches will help you feel ready for running or walking. Some low-intensity movement to promote blood flow and tissue extensibility can also help. Lastly, consider use of a foam roller on any tight or trouble areas both before and after movement.

How to build calf strength?

A balanced strength program will promote optimal calf strength, with exercises like calf raises, and keep crucial surrounding muscles in the feet, ankle, thighs, and hips all working in sync. Strive for a consistent strength program for the legs at least twice per week to maximize calf strength and minimize risk of injury.

Is it normal for a calf to hurt at night?

It can indicate more serious issues like a blood clot, infection, fracture or major muscle tear. Additionally, while some night calf pain is normal, if it’s completely affecting your sleep quality talk to your doctor.

Do walkers help with fatigue?

Traditional walkers and rollators can certainly benefit those with limited mobility or who fatigue quickly while walking, completing daily tasks, or staying active. They’re relatively inexpensive and easy to obtain, making life a lot easier for those who really need them.

Why do you wear leg sleeves when running?

Additionally, they provide an extra level of awareness to your legs so that you can focus on keeping good form with your running or walking sessions.

Is it better to prevent calf pain?

When possible, preventing calf pain is always a better solution than having to treat an issue later. Here are some ways to help prevent the onset of calf pain or injury in the first place.

Where is the pain in the calf?

This discomfort can be felt anywhere between the knee and the ankle along the backside of the lower leg. Here you will find the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles as well as tendons, blood vessels, and ligaments.

What causes pain in the calf muscle?

1. Calf Muscle Strain. Pain in the calf muscle is a common result of straining the medial gastrocnemius muscle during physical activity such as with sports. This type of strain is often called tennis leg, originating from a 1883 reported case of a tennis injury.

What muscle is in the posterior compartment of the lower leg?

The posterior compartment of the lower leg contains the popliteus muscle, the flexor hallucis longus muscle, the flexor digitorum longus muscle, and the tibialis posterior muscle. When one of these muscles expand beyond the protective sheath, pain can be felt throughout the lower leg when used.

What causes calf pain and swelling?

Calf pain, swelling, and muscle weakness can result from automobile accidents, poisoning, immobility over time, severe burns, excessive use of recreational drugs, medications, and infections and diseases. 8. Fibula Stress Fracture. This type of fracture is a tiny crack in the fibula bone.

What does it mean when your legs are cramping?

Leg Cramps. Leg cramps occur when the calf muscles contract and spasm involuntarily. 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.

What happens if you hit your calf?

A direct hit to the calf can compress the muscle onto the bone, resulting in bruising. Immediate pain is felt and may range from a pinching sensation to severe, along with tenderness and soreness.

Why does my Achilles tendon hurt?

Damage or injury to the Achilles tendon can be a tear, irritation, or an overstretch caused by excessive use, weak calf muscles, arthritis, or the aging process . Calf pain symptoms may include soreness above the heel in the back of the leg, stiffness, tenderness, and severe pain, especially after climbing stairs or running.

How to treat calf pain?

Ice – Apply ice or cold therapy to the calf to help reduce the symptoms of pain and any inflammation. Apply for 10 minutes every hour for the first 24 to 48 hours after injury, reducing to 3 or 4 times a day as symptoms improve. Do not apply ice directly to the skin as it may burn.

How to heal a calf injury?

Try to reduce the demands of your daily activity and stop doing any sports that exacerbate the pain. Continuing to train with a calf injury and not allowing it time to heal can result in a more serious injury.

Can a fibula fracture cause calf pain?

Fibula stress fracture. Fibula stress fracture may cause calf pain. The calf muscles attach to the fibula bone, so the traction and twisting forces of the muscles can cause a stress fracture. Symptoms consist of: Pain at the back of the lower leg, which may be more towards the outside.

Is it possible to have a blood clot in your calf?

Although it is not as likely as the injuries above, it is a condition that should not be missed or overlooked. It is a blood clot in the veins and is most likely to happen in the calf area, especially after long flights and surgery. This is a serious condition and medical help is needed if this is suspected.

Why is my calf tight?

Tight calf muscles may be caused by: Poor foot biomechanics. Lack of stretching. Wearing high heeled shoes.

How do you know if you have a muscle spasm?

Symptoms consist of: A sudden, involuntary contraction of your muscle. It usually occurs towards the end of a particularly hard training session, or possibly a few hours later. Immediate treatment is to try and stretch the muscles gently to release the spasm, often the help of a partner is needed.

How to tell if you have a calf muscle 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.

How to stop calf pain?

However, if the calf pain is accompanied any of these symptoms including warmth, redness, fevers, and or shortness of breath, you should consult a physician immediately to rule out a blood clot.

What are the symptoms of a sprained ankle?

The symptoms can range from mild achiness and tightness to sudden inability to walk or bear weight. The initial treatment of these injuries include rest, elevation, and compression.

Types of Calf Pain

Muscle-Related Causes

Other Causes

When to See A Healthcare Provider

Diagnosis

Treatment

Prevention

• There are some lifestyle habits you can adopt to prevent many causes of calf pain, especially the muscle-related ones. In order to prevent muscle cramps and strains in your calf, it's important to warm up. For example, your warm-up may include jumping jacks or gently jogging in place. The point is to ease your muscles into activity rather than star...

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