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When should I be concerned about calf pain?
See your doctor as soon as possible if you have: Signs of infection, such as redness, warmth or tenderness, or you have a fever greater than100 F (37.8 C) A leg that is swollen, pale or unusually cool. Calf pain, particularly after prolonged sitting, such as on a long car trip or plane ride.
What do you do if your calf muscle hurts?
How do you treat a calf muscle injury?
- Rest your injured leg.
- Put ice or a cold pack on the sore muscle for 10 to 20 minutes at a time to stop swelling.
- After 2 or 3 days, you can try alternating cold with heat.
- Wrap your lower leg with an elastic bandage (such as an Ace wrap) to help decrease swelling.
Is calf pain serious?
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.
What deficiency causes calf pain?
Having a magnesium deficiency can be a cause of muscle cramps. And it’s common for people to need more magnesium.
Can dehydration cause calf pain?
That means less vital organs — like your muscles and digestive system — don’t get the water and electrolytes they need. Without these fluids, your muscles can start to cramp. You may particularly experience leg cramps in your calf muscles and thigh muscles.
Why do I keep getting calf strains?
Calf muscle strains usually occur when someone suddenly moves or overstretches their calf after standing still. Quick pivots, jumps or abrupt stops can cause strains. This injury is especially common when your toes get forced upward (toward your body) and your ankle pulls your calf muscles down too quickly.
Why do my calves hurt so much?
There are two main reasons for calf muscle pain: injury and an underlying medical condition. Figure out which category your pain falls under. An injury happens when you use the muscles too much, resulting in straining or even pulling it, and possibly tearing the muscles.
What could be causing your calf pain?
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 . The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body, and it connects the calf muscles to your heel bone.
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.
Why does my calf hurt after running?
Muscle Strain. Pain in the calf muscle during and after running may indicate a calf muscle strain. This injury can occur as a result of a lack of flexibility in the calf muscle, an improper warm-up, or too much mileage and not enough rest between runs.