What can be pain in the calf (calf)

Calf pain is a very common symptom at any age, and can arise due to different factors. However, most of the time it is caused by intense physical activity, being very common during running, as it is the muscle most used in this exercise.

However, pain in the potato of the leg can also indicate more serious situations, which should be evaluated by the doctor, such as baker's cyst, varicose veins, thrombosis or rupture of the Achilles tendon.

Main causes of pain in the calf

The most common causes of leg potato pain are:

1. Poor blood circulation

Poor circulation mainly affects sedentary and older people, who do not practice physical activity. But it can also affect pregnant women, especially in late pregnancy, and also people who have had surgery recently and who are still resting in bed. The sore calf, in these cases, is not a major cause for concern but it can make your feet cold and uncomfortable to walk.

• What to do: Stretching can help reduce the pain and discomfort of poor circulation, but it is important to exercise regularly to improve circulation and prevent the formation of varicose veins, for example. Other good tips include wearing elastic stockings, not sitting or standing too long, and reducing the amount of salt in your food to avoid water retention. Check out some Foods to improve blood circulation.

2. Deep venous thrombosis

Thrombosis is a more common vascular disorder in the elderly. Thrombosis should be suspected when there is pain in the leg and it becomes swollen and stiff. It occurs when a thrombus loosens from a vein and reaches important organs such as the heart or lungs, blocking circulation in these places, being very serious. Find out more details at: Deep vein thrombosis.

• What to do: If you suspect that your leg has a thrombus, you should go to the doctor as soon as possible for him to evaluate and indicate the use of blood-thinning drugs such as aspirin, a doctor may also perform surgery to place a stent for ensure blood flow.

3. Varicose veins

When the person has many varicose veins, even if they are small, or just 1 or 2 wide and long varicose veins, he may have pain in the leg potato frequently. In this case the veins become more swollen and there is a feeling of heavy and tired legs.

• What to do: The treatment to cure varicose veins can be done with elastic stockings, the use of remedies for varicose veins and practice physical activity because this way the blood is pumped with more force and the cardiac capacity also improves. Other options include laser therapy, sclerotherapy and surgery for varicose veins. Learn all treatment options for varicose veins.

4. Baker's cyst

Baker's cyst usually appears behind the knee, being a painful 'ball', which can also cause pain in the leg potato and feeling tired.

• What to do: Baker's cyst is not serious but causes great discomfort, it is recommended to wear compression stockings, put on a cold compress and do physical therapy. See the treatment in more detail.

5. Infectious cellulitis

Infection in the leg, scientifically called infectious cellulitis, causes severe pain in the calf, with intense redness. This is due to the entry of bacteria penetrating the deeper layers of the skin

• What to do: You should go to the doctor as soon as possible to prevent bacteria from reaching the bloodstream and spreading throughout the body. Treatment is done with antibiotics and you may need to stay in the hospital. See how to recognize and treat infectious cellulite.

6. Achilles tendon rupture

In the case of direct trauma to the leg or heel or during very intense physical activity, the Achilles tendon may rupture. The classic symptoms are pain in the calf with severe difficulty in walking, pain when pressing the Achilles tendon and it is common for people to say that they heard a crack or that something hit their leg.

• What to do: You should go to the doctor because the treatment is done by plastering the foot and in some cases it may be necessary to have surgery. Find details of the treatment here.

7. Calf pain in pregnancy

Calf pain in pregnancy is a normal symptom that happens due to the accumulation of blood in the legs caused by hormonal changes. Calf pain in pregnancy arises mainly during the night and during the day cramps may appear that are related to a lack of potassium.

• What to do: The pregnant woman should stretch the muscle affected by cramps and eat bananas or other foods rich in potassium, in addition to wearing elastic stockings during the day and elevating her feet at night, to improve blood circulation and reduce pain.

8. Pain in the calf while running

During exercise such as running, the pain is most likely caused by a muscle disorder. Thus, the most common causes of calf pain during running are:

• Intense physical exercise, especially on climbs and in this case both legs are affected at the same time; Stretch, contracture or muscle strain; Cramp, which suddenly appears in one leg, which can also cause pain in the foot; Stones syndrome, which causes severe pain and sudden, as if he had been hit on a leg by a stone; Lack of minerals, which can happen during long trials and with a lack of hydration.

When you feel severe pain in the leg potato during a run it is recommended to stop running and stretch the muscle, sitting on the floor and with your legs well stretched, pointing your toes towards your nose. But if the pain is bearable, being just a nuisance affecting both legs at the same time, it is more likely to be tiredness due to lack of physical conditioning, and with persistence in training, this pain tends to disappear.

Warning signs to go to the doctor

It is recommended to go to the doctor or emergency room if you have the following signs and symptoms:

• Intense pain in the calf that appears suddenly; Pain, swelling and stiffness in only one leg; Redness and feeling of swelling or burning in one leg.

It is also important to seek medical evaluation if you experience severe muscle pain, which does not go away within 3 days.

Ways to fight calf pain

Calf pain tends to subside after exertion and can be treated with physical therapy, massage or rest in the mildest situations, or surgery in the most serious situations.

To relieve calf pain, some simple strategies that can help are:

• Place ice pack on the calf; Massage the muscle; Stretch the muscle; Drink plenty of water and eat foods rich in sodium and potassium; Rest.

In the treatment of pain in the calf, anti-inflammatory remedies or muscle relaxants, such as Paracetamol, Voltaren or Calminex or natural remedies can also be used. See what they are in the following video: