Calf Pain - Causes, Treatment & Prevention

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Dr. Manish Maheshwari is an Orthopaedist and
Sports Medicine Surgeon in Indore and has an
experience of more than 13 years in these fields.
Dr. Manish Maheshwari practices at Global SNG
Hospital in South Tukoganj, Indore. He completed
graduation post Graduation from Mahatma Gandhi
Memorial Medical College Maharaja Yashwant Rao
Hospital, Indore in 2005. He worked in major
hospitals of Mumbai like Lilavati Hospital
Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospitals.
ADDRESS
Indore Arthroscopy Center
16/1, South Tukoganj, Global SNG Hospital,
Indore PHONE [phone] EMAILmmanish15_at_gmail.co
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Calf Pain - Causes, Treatment Prevention

• Calf pain is one of the most common conditions in
  early 40's, calf pain generally result from
  muscles sprain / due to muscular cramps or by
  occurrence of any other conditions like sciatica.
  The treatment of this condition depends on the
  causes.
• Calf muscles generally comprises of two muscles
  that is the gastrocnemius and the soleus. These
  muscle generally meet at the Achilles tendon,
  that is directly attached to the heel. Calf pain
  varies from person to person, that depends upon
  the source of pain and the type of pain, certain
  type of pain that can affect the outcome of the
  condition feels like dull pain, sharp pain,
  continuous pain, radiating pain, aching pain in
  the back of lower leg along with the tightness of
  the calf muscles.
• Basic symptoms that can indicate towards the 
  condition are- 
• Swelling over the calf muscles
• Unusual coolness or pale yellow color in calf
• Numbness or tingling sensation over the muscles
• Redness on the calf muscles

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• Fluid retention from the site of pain
• Tenderness and warmth
• Sudden weakness in the legs
• Causes of calf pain
• 1)  Muscle cramps- Muscle cramps are sudden and
  painful contraction of the muscles. Which can be
  severe over the period of time, muscle cramps
  generally last for a few seconds until the
  several minutes at a time. Most commonly muscle
  cramps are caused due to
• Dehydration,
• Over exercising, 
• Injuries to an area, 
• Mineral and vitamins deficit
• Lack of stretching
• Excessive sweating ( lossening of electrolytes)

Along with this there are several conditions
which are also associated that involves
hypothyroidism diabetes pregnancy liver failure
kidney failure and alcohol intake. 
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2) Muscle strain - Muscle strains usually occur
when there is improper use of muscle or due to
over use and fatigue of the muscle, excessive
exercising or increase in exercise intensity on
the same muscle for a longer period of time can
cause muscles sprain, that can lead to calf pain.
Some of the most common exercises by there
overuse condition of calf pain can increase are -

• Running
• Trekking
• Powerlifting
• Biking 

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Muscle sprain is generally noticeable due to
sudden on set of soreness pain and reduced range
of motion.

• 3) Achilles tendonitis - Achilles tendon is the
  tendon where calf muscles gets attached,Achilles
  tendonitis is   cost due to strain or over stress
  to the Achilles Tendon,  Common symptoms can
  include-
• Inflammation of the tendon
• Pain
• Stiffness in the back of the leg
• 4) Varicose veins - Varicose veins is a common
  condition which includes and largement of the
  veins that bulge out from the legs and looks like
  chords, these generally develop due to damaged
  walls in the persons vein that allow blood to
  backflowm General factors that can lead to
  varicose veins include-
• Age
• Family history of varicose veins
• Hormone fluctuations
• Pregnancy
• Obesity
• Lack of physical activity

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Varicose veins appear in the legs and can cause
severe pain, cramps, aching at night, throbbing
and tingling.

• 5) Sciatica - Sciatica results from any issues or
  problems sciatic nerve. This nerve is responsible
  to control muscles in the lower leg and the back
  of the knee it can cause numbness tingling
  sensation and pain at the lower back it generally
  stretch down to the leg to the calf muscles and
  other muscles supplying the lower body. Any
  compression in the sciatic nerve can lead to
  sciatica which can cause calf pain and other
  problems.
• Treatment
• The basic treatment of calf pain that is the
  result of injury or overuse using the PRICE
  method. This stands for-
• Protection this is done by application of cloth
  bandage splint or any immobilizer to the foot,
  ankle and the calf to protect the muscle from any
  injury and allow it to rest.
• Rest Avoid using the calf muscle more than
  necessary. And try to provide proper rests to the
  muscle for better recovery and to avoid pain.

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• Ice it is the most effective technique to reduce
  swelling and inflammation, it is basically done
  by applying up a cloth that is covered by ice
  pack up 15 to 20  minutes.
• Compression Wrap the calf in a stretchy, tight
  bandage or wear a compression stocking to reduce
  swelling.
• Elevation elevation is the technique to promote
  circulation of blood and to reduce swelling.
  Elevation is an effective technique for reducing
  pain as well.
• Prevention
• Some of the most common tips and ways that can
  help to prevent progression of the condition and
  avoid calf pain are-
• 1) Mobility work try to keep the ankle and
  muscles mobile and keep moving them through
  stretching during exercise, also it's very
  important to move the joint through the full
  range of motion with the correct form this will
  help to prevent the calf pain. 
• 2) Rest resting is one of the most important
  thing after any physical workout or activity,
  taking proper rest between or after the workout
  and any physical activity can help to facilitate
  the muscle repair and its growth and is the best
  way to prevent injuries or calf pain.

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3) Warm-up always do proper warm up before
exercising or working out it is an important
factor to release muscle tension and to increase
the proper blood flow to the muscles and to
prevent any for the injuries or pain in the
area.  4) Proper shoes make sure to wear proper
shoes during the workout or any activity that
will have to ensure proper support and proper
position especially while jogging running or
lower body workout. 5) Stay hydrated Staying
hydrated can help prevent calf pain. Staying
hydrated contributes directly to preventing
muscle cramps that is a main cause of the calf
pain.
Are you looking for Best ortho clinic near me in
Indore which provide best orthopedic doctor then
you should come to Indore Arthroscopy Center
because we provide Best orthopedic surgeon in
Indore. For more details call us now on
9826252228 and visit our website online -
https//www.drmanishmaheshwari.com/
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