4. Injuries

In such cases, only pain during slight sprain. It can be obtained by making a sudden movement at a time when the muscles have not yet had time to relax after the previous contraction.

However, there are many other benefits gained from training. dangerous injuries varying degrees of severity: sprain of ligaments, tear of fiber or tendon, inflammation of the joint capsule, dislocation, fracture. Their main feature– aching pain, when trying to stand up, turning into a sharp lumbago in the affected area, inability to stand on your toes or even rise to your feet on your own.

How to react? See a doctor immediately.

Good for working out all muscles of the legs, and the lower leg in particular.

5. Micronutrient deficiency

If you wake up in the middle of the night from unbearable pain, and your calf muscle is cramped, you will agree that the feeling is not a pleasant one. And if such pain syndrome recurs regularly, this may indicate deficiency of certain microelements in your body– potassium, magnesium and calcium.

How to help yourself? At the moment of a convulsive spasm of the muscle, to relieve the suffering, actively stretch it, place both legs at the same time on the cold floor, if you have a pin or needle, inject it into this place. And then take care of taking medications containing these microelements.

6. Pathological causes of leg pain

The causes of pain in the lower leg area listed above are caused by physiological causes and, with the exception of injuries, do not require medical intervention, considered the norm. Why do women's calves swell? Or they cramp, they swell, go numb. These and other unpleasant sensations can be caused by pathological conditions:

• vein diseases;
• atherosclerotic lesions of the leg arteries;
• diseases of the calf muscles;
• infectious complications with organic damage nerve fibers;
• pathologies of the musculoskeletal system;
• side effects of medications.

Any of these cases - reason to go to the clinic, and receive appropriate treatment. Most likely this will be a certain ointment and some other recommendations.

Prevention is better than cure

One way or another, you have to put up with “good” pain. But the rest is best avoided. So:

• exercise regularly do not allow prolonged idleness;
• increase the load gradually no overload;
• warming up muscles warm-up before training is required.

After all, treatment of leg injuries is a protracted process, and sometimes due to possible complications you just have to forget about intense training.

People often experience leg pain after physical activity or standing for a long time. But pain does not always occur due to physiological reasons. Unpleasant sensations can develop due to pathologies. At serious illnesses pain often manifests itself not only in one area - right or left, but affects both limbs at once, so the symptom cannot be ignored.

Why does pain occur?

There are various factors that can cause calf pain in the left or right side. It could be physiological reasons: standing for a long time, getting injured, wearing uncomfortable shoes, excessive physical activity. But often pain becomes a consequence of pathological processes.

Venous diseases

Can lead to pain in the lower extremities vascular diseases. The most often “culprits” are the following ailments:

• Varicose veins. There is stagnation in the dilated vessels, which causes an inflammatory process and strong pressure in the veins. The disease causes aching pain, accompanied by a feeling of heaviness in the legs.
• Atherosclerosis. With this disease, the lumen of the blood vessels is blocked by a plaque, which leads to a failure of blood circulation. Patients feel pain and coldness in their feet.
• Thrombophlebitis. The pathology is characterized by the formation of a blood clot in the vessels, which causes burning, pulsating pain and redness of the skin in the affected area.

The latter disease is the most dangerous, since a blood clot can break away from the vein wall at any time and cause death.

Damage to arterial vessels

The arteries of the legs are often subject to endarteritis. The disease is an inflammatory process in blood vessels. She is bothered by pain in the calf area, muscle weakness, and cramps at night.

Acute occlusion may also occur in arterial canals. This means that the blood supply is cut off in a certain area. The disease develops due to thrombosis.

Muscle pathologies

If there is aching pain in the calves, the cause may be myositis, characterized by inflammation in the muscle tissue. Symptoms become more pronounced during physical activity and palpation. In advanced cases, the leg becomes completely immobilized.

Neuritis and polyneuritis

Such diseases cause severe pain. This occurs due to damage to the nerve ending. The pain spreads over the entire area of ​​the affected nerve. The cause of root damage may be osteochondrosis, infectious pathologies, diabetes mellitus, oncological and benign neoplasms.

Damage to nearby tissues

Sometimes the pain can radiate to the calf area when other parts of the limb are affected. Often the cause of this is an inflammatory process or poor circulation in neighboring areas.

The following diseases may cause pain:

1. Osteomyelitis of the tibia or fibula.
2. Diseases of the joints of the knees, ankles - arthritis, arthrosis.
3. Damage to the Achilles tendon.
4. Inflammation of the skin or subcutaneous tissue of the leg.

All these pathologies are accompanied by their characteristic symptoms.

Spinal diseases

When the spinal column is damaged, the nagging pain in the calves also has a reflected character. Its occurrence is provoked by compression of the nerve endings. This syndrome is called radicular.

When it appears, the pain has some characteristics. It can become stronger during coughing or sneezing, as well as at night. The relationship of the symptom with the movements of the spine is also noted. With some actions the pain decreases, with others it increases.

Diabetes mellitus

People suffering from this pathology often encounter its complication – diabetic foot syndrome. The disease develops due to the influence of several factors, due to which it was maintained for a long time high level blood sugar. These include arterial insufficiency, in which the pain intensifies while walking and calms down at rest. This also includes neuropathy, accompanied by paroxysmal pain, and inflammation of the skin, characterized by aching pain.

The occurrence of pain during pregnancy

Women carrying a baby often suffer from pain in the calves. This phenomenon can be provoked by factors such as a lack of nutrients in the body and increased load on the limbs due to the growth of the child.

As the baby's body weight increases, in addition to pain, cramps also occur. More often they appear at night. This is caused by poor circulation in the legs.

To prevent the development of unpleasant symptoms during pregnancy, it is necessary to monitor your diet so that there is no deficiency of vitamins and minerals, and take vitamin and mineral complexes. It is also necessary to give your legs more rest, especially in the last stages.

Diagnostics

If you experience pain in the calf muscles, you should visit a therapist. He will conduct an external examination, prescribe laboratory tests and, if necessary, refer you to a specialist. Which doctor will treat you depends on the cause of the development of the painful symptom.

Diagnostics is carried out using the following methods:

1. Doppler ultrasound. With its help, vascular diseases are identified, blood clots are detected in blood vessels, and blood circulation in the legs is assessed.
2. Radiography. It is used for suspected damage to the spinal column and joints of the lower extremities.
3. Computed and magnetic resonance imaging. Helps in identifying diseases of the spine and tumors.

To detect a lack of microelements, a blood test is sufficient. To diagnose myositis, you need an examination by a neurologist.

General principles of treatment

Therapy is carried out depending on why the calves hurt. Various treatment methods are used:

• taking medications;
• exercises;
• dietary food;
• folk remedies.

Regardless of the factor that provoked the pain, the following recommendations must be followed during treatment:

1. Completely give up alcohol and cigarettes.
2. Eat a balanced diet.
3. Do not disrupt your daily routine.
4. Get a good night's sleep.
5. Take walks in the fresh air every day.
6. Keep your body weight under control.
7. Take a contrast shower.
8. While resting, elevate your legs slightly using a pillow.

Following these rules will help enhance the effect of therapy.

Medicines

Medicines are selected depending on the cause of the pain. The following groups of drugs can be used:

• Anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs when inflammation is detected.
• Antibiotics for the infectious nature of the pathology.
• Analgesics to relieve severe pain.
• Chondroprotectors for cartilage restoration in joint arthrosis.

To replenish a sufficient amount of useful substances in the body, vitamin and mineral complexes are prescribed.

Gymnastics

To treat pain and eliminate fatigue in the legs, doctors advise doing daily physical exercise. The complex may include the following actions:

1. Lie on your back in front of the wall, raise your straight legs up and lean them against the wall. Stay in this position for several minutes. This promotes blood flow and prevents the development of varicose veins.
2. Stand up and rise on your toes for 30 seconds. Then lower yourself and stand on your heels for the same amount of time.
3. Place a small ball on the floor and roll it with your sole.
4. Sit down, stretch your legs in front of you, pull your toes towards you, then away from you.
5. In a standing position, bend one leg at the knee joint, put it forward and make circular movements with your shin.

A gymnastics complex can include a variety of exercises. It is better to draw it up together with a doctor.

Diet

Pain in the calf area often occurs due to a lack of microelements. This occurs due to improper nutrition. This circumstance also provokes various pathologies, causing pain in the lower extremities, especially vascular diseases.

• Fast food.
• Fatty dishes.
• Fried food.
• Smoked meats.
• Semi-finished products.
• Carbonated drinks.
• Confectionery.

It is imperative to limit your intake of salt and sugar. The menu includes more plant foods that are rich in nutrients: vegetables, fruits, herbs, berries. It is recommended to consume low-fat dairy products, lean meat and fish, and cereals.

Folk remedies

To relieve pain in the calves, people often use alternative medicine methods. Many natural products and plants have healing properties and the ability to relieve unpleasant symptoms.

Compresses and wraps

For leg pain, wrapping with dandelion leaves is effective. It is necessary to pick fresh leaves, crush them to release the juice, cover the sore area of ​​the leg, and secure with cling film.

The following recipe also works well: pass the onion through a meat grinder to make a paste, add a large spoonful of sea salt to it. Place the mixture on gauze and apply to the affected area for 4 hours.

Rubbing

Rubbing relieves pain well. Various decoctions and infusions are prepared for the procedures. The most effective remedies are those made according to the following recipes:

1. Grind the chestnut fruits to make 50 g, pour in a bottle of vodka. Let it brew for 3 weeks, then use for rubbing.
2. Separate the yolk, mix it with a teaspoon of turpentine and tbsp. spoon of apple cider vinegar. Beat thoroughly and rub the caviar mixture.
3. Fill the floor with fresh wormwood liter jar, pour vodka up to the neck, let stand for 3 weeks. Then strain and lubricate your feet before going to bed.

Rubbing not only helps with pain, but also prevents cramps.

Baths

Foot baths help relieve pain in the legs. The following decoctions and infusions are used for their preparation:

• Pour a liter of boiling water over a handful of mint and linden blossom, let stand for 30 minutes and pour into a basin. Hold your feet for 15 minutes.
• Make a mixture of equal amounts of immortelle flowers, birch leaves, and carrot seeds. Separate a tablespoon and brew with a liter of boiling water. Then leave for 3 hours and keep your feet in the infusion for 10 minutes.
• 1 tbsp. l. dissolve salt in a liter warm water and lower your feet for 10 minutes.

Foot baths help not only get rid of pain, but also relieve swelling, eliminate the feeling of heaviness, fatigue, and prevent problems with veins.

For oral administration

For pain relief, not only local but also oral agents can be used. Doctors recommend the following home remedy: chicken and quail eggs rinse well, fill a liter jar with them, add lemon juice all the way to the neck. Let the product sit for 2 weeks. During this time, the shell will completely dissolve. The mass must be mixed, strained, add 100 ml of cognac and a large spoon of honey. Take the resulting product one tablespoon before each meal 30 minutes.

For internal use for pain in the calves, another recipe is used: take 100 ml of tinctures of hawthorn, peony, valerian, motherwort, as well as 50 ml of eucalyptus tincture and 25 ml of mint tincture. Mix everything in a glass jar, add 10 g of cloves.

Let sit for 2 weeks, shaking daily. After this, strain the drink, take 25 drops before each meal half an hour.

Prevention

Preventing leg pain involves preventing the occurrence of external factors and diseases that can cause it. Doctors advise the following:

1. Give up bad habits.
2. Control body weight.
3. Exercise.
4. Avoid overstraining your limbs.
5. Avoid hypothermia.
6. Eat right.
7. Maintain a daily routine.

Regular pain in the calves is a reason to consult a doctor. The causes of the symptom can be very serious and dangerous to human life and health, so diseases must be treated in a timely manner.

Pain in the calf of the right or left leg is one of the most common clinical manifestations. Sometimes it is caused by overwork of a muscle after intense or prolonged physical activity. However, this symptom does not always indicate such innocent reasons. It is often caused by serious diseases such as diabetes, atherosclerosis or spinal tumors.

Quite often, the causes of calf pain lie in thrombosis and varicose veins. Suspicion of these vein pathologies should arise if, in addition to the main symptom, the leg is pulled or the heels hurt when walking. This happens because when severe violation blood circulation in the venous vessels of the leg, swelling of the leg occurs, which manifests itself in pain. As a rule, such pain is dull in nature and is accompanied by heaviness in the limbs. If these processes become chronic, there is a decrease in the supply of nutrients to the tissues, leading to the accumulation of waste and toxins, and also causes inflammatory processes.

Acute thrombosis of the leg veins requires immediate treatment, because the resulting blood clots can break off and enter the heart muscle, from where they spread throughout the body. Particularly large clot particles can clog arterial vessels, often leading to death. Deep vein thrombosis can be identified by the following clinical manifestations:

• swelling of the lower leg with a prolonged feeling of heaviness in the lower extremities;
• the affected area of ​​the skin acquires a glossy texture with a clear pattern of superficial veins;
• severe pain when bending the foot.

Calf pain due to arterial insufficiency

This diagnosis is characterized by very severe pain associated with insufficient blood supply, which is the main source of oxygen and nutrients. Such processes can cause very serious consequences, up to gangrene.

Atherosclerosis causes hardening of the vessel walls, which causes pain in the patient's calf. The pain is of a compressive nature and is localized directly in the area of ​​the lower leg muscles. When walking, the load on the muscle increases, which leads to increased pain. The main manifestation of atherosclerosis is cold feet syndrome, which occurs regardless of air temperature.

Spinal diseases and peripheral nerve diseases

The spine is connected to almost every organ, so its pathologies can manifest themselves in any part of the body. Thus, violations in intervertebral discs often radiates to the legs, and the back itself may not hurt. This category includes sciatica - inflammation of the sciatic nerve, in which pain is localized in the lower extremities.

If your calf muscles hurt, this may indicate peripheral nerve disease. Additional symptom is that the pain has a paroxysmal appearance. Such attacks can last from several seconds to several minutes, and between these waves there is practically no pain.

Inflammation and infectious diseases as a cause of pain in the calves

An inflamed calf muscle causes very severe pain. Myositis - inflammation of skeletal muscles - requires immediate treatment and constant medical supervision. As a rule, they occur as a result of injuries to the leg muscles or complications after influenza and other diseases.

If the calf muscles hurt and these pains are aching in nature, with high probability purulent myositis can be stated. It is also indicated by chills, increased body temperature, and the presence of dense nodules and muscle compactions.

Often, calf pain is caused by osteomyelitis, a bone infectious disease that manifests itself in acute and prolonged pain. Their cause lies in the bones themselves, so eliminating such pain is quite difficult.

Diagnosis of the causes of calf pain

Diagnosing the cause of pain in the lower extremities is extremely difficult. This is primarily due to the huge number of pathologies that can cause such reactions.

If you have severe pain in your calves for a long time, you should immediately tell your doctor so that he can diagnose the cause of the pain.

If there is pain in the left calf or right leg, you should contact the following specialists:

Making the final diagnosis and prescribing treatment are carried out not only based on the patient’s complaints, because many people have pain in their legs below the knees. To determine an accurate diagnosis, the following methods are used:

• general analysis blood allows you to identify which elements are missing in the body for normal functioning leg muscles;
• x-ray of the spine, hip joint, sacral joints;
• Magnetic resonance and computed tomography are the most modern and informative diagnostic methods.

Sometimes anamnesis data is used to increase the efficiency of diagnosis.

Timely diagnosis is especially important for pregnant women, because pain in the calves when walking can be a symptom of very serious diseases and significantly worsen the condition of the fetus.

Prevention and treatment of pain in the calves

As it turned out, the causes of pain in the calves can be very diverse. Despite this, there are general recommendations to improve the patient's condition. These include:

1. Weight loss. The fight against excess weight reduces the load on the spine when walking, alleviates the symptoms of diabetes, and has a positive effect on the condition nervous system.
2. Giving up bad habits, as a result of which significantly less waste and toxins will accumulate in the body.
3. Avoiding prolonged stress on the lower leg muscles.
4. Balanced healthy diet. If your calf muscle hurts, it is especially important to reduce your salt intake, because... This product promotes the accumulation of fluid in the body.
5. Creating a proper daily routine, which will include walks in the fresh air and sufficient sleep.

Treatment measures depend on why the calves hurt. It is extremely important to eliminate the cause rather than fight the symptoms. So, if the legs are cramped due to arterial insufficiency, it is used surgical treatment, and acute thrombosis requires long-term rehabilitation in a hospital.

At chronic pathologies vessels, and also if conservative treatment methods are ineffective, surgical elimination of the vascular defect is used. Similar operations are performed for the above-described spinal pathologies.

There are times when it is impossible to get rid of the cause of pain in the calves. Then doctors prescribe supportive conservative treatment, which helps to weaken or completely eliminate the painful manifestations of the disease.

What can cause pain in your calves?

Many people are familiar with pain in the calves from their own experience. Painful sensations can be permanent, bringing a lot of inconvenience and turning every step into agony.

To overcome the disease, you need to know why your calves hurt and understand the root cause.

Common reasons

High-intensity physical activity often causes pain in the calves. Drawing pain in the calves, accompanied by cramps, indicates fatigue of the lower leg muscles. In this case, it is necessary, if necessary, to reduce the load and apply massage of the lower extremities.

A common cause of aching pain in the calf is simple dehydration. This once again shows how important it is to drink enough fluids. Recommended daily norm fluid for an adult varies from 2 to 3 liters, depending on weight and intensity of physical activity.

You just have to remember that during pregnancy the opposite situation occurs. Very often, pregnant women experience heaviness and pain in their legs due to swelling. In this case, it is necessary to reduce the consumption of drinks, but this should be done within reasonable limits, because the fetus also needs liquid. In this case, it is better to agree on a reasonable norm with the doctor.

Another cause of leg pain is previous injuries. As a rule, past fractures of the tibia often make themselves felt, and aching pain can bother you both day and night. Often the disease is caused by improper fusion of the limb (with displacement). However, less serious injuries also lead to painful symptoms.

Pain in one leg often indicates the presence of an injury, but not always. If it bothers you in the calf of the right leg or only the left, then this may be a sign of circulatory problems or a neurological disease. Pain in both legs indicates significant impairment in general work body or about ordinary fatigue.

Be sure to watch the next video

Myositis

Inflammation of the calf muscle is the result of prolonged intense stress or microtrauma. This also includes an Achilles tendon injury. There are also professional reasons when the legs are in an uncomfortable position for a long time during work. Signs of myositis include the formation of inflammatory nodules in the muscle tissue; increased pain is observed on palpation. The patient's pain varies:

To get rid of this disease, you need to reduce physical activity, and if there is an injury, give the limb rest until full recovery. To alleviate the patient's condition, various ointments are used:

• anti-inflammatory;
• warming;
• painkillers;
• locally irritating (to relieve tension).

A neurologist is responsible for making a diagnosis of muscle disease and is responsible for treatment. If the illness appears in connection with trichinosis, then it will be treated by an infectious disease doctor.

Vein pathologies

Vein diseases quite often manifest themselves as pain in the legs, especially in the calves. This occurs as a result of compression of the nerve endings by the swelling that is inevitable with such disorders. Vascular diseases are characterized by impaired blood supply to tissues, release of toxic substances and inflammation.

Varicose veins

This type of disease occurs in people usually over 20 years of age and is often hereditary. The affected veins are quite clearly visible, so there are no problems with the diagnosis in this case. The first stages of the disease do not cause any particular concern, but subsequently varicose veins bring a lot of suffering.

1. Feeling of heaviness in the legs.
2. Bursting pain in the calves.
3. Constant fatigue.

Deep vein thrombosis of the leg

Varicose veins lead to this disease if treatment is carried out incorrectly or late. Thrombosis is inflammation of the walls of blood vessels, leading to the formation of a blood clot (thrombus) in the lumen of the vein. The pathology is most characteristic of the veins of the lower extremities. Main symptoms:

• constant throbbing pain;
• burning;
• noticeable bumps on the veins;
• swelling;
• increase in local temperature.

The disease is quite serious, since there is a risk of a blood clot detaching from the vessel wall with its subsequent movement through the bloodstream. This situation often leads to pulmonary infarction. Diagnosis and treatment of thrombosis, as well as varicose veins, is carried out by a phlebologist.

Used to make a diagnosis Doppler ultrasound and rheovasography. A more accurate picture is provided by ultrasound duplex angioscanning. Therapeutic treatment is aimed at eliminating the symptoms and causes of the disease, for which the following are used:

• anticoagulants;
• phlebotonics;
• bandage using elastic bandages;
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• disaggregants.

Pathologies of arterial vessels

These conditions can cause pain in the legs, including lameness. The most common pathologies are acute occlusion of the arteries of the lower extremities and their chronic arterial insufficiency.

Acute occlusion of the arteries of the lower extremities

The essence of the pathology is the cessation of blood circulation in the artery as a result of its blockage by a thrombus. Most often, the following diseases and conditions contribute to this.

1. Obliterating endarteritis.
2. Atherosclerosis.
3. Leukemia.
4. Vascular spasms.
5. Postoperative syndrome.
6. Injury or frostbite.

In this case, a burning sensation is felt inside, while the outside of the lower leg and foot are often cold to the touch. Prolonged oxygen deficiency in the tissues of the limb leads to a decrease in sensitivity.

Arterial occlusion is a serious disease that requires immediate treatment, regardless of the cause. Lack of treatment inevitably leads to gangrene and subsequent amputation of the limb.

Arterial insufficiency of the lower extremities

Insufficient arterial blood supply can provoke the same atherosclerosis or obliterating endarteritis.

With concomitant atherosclerosis, characteristic diseases are often present:

Since atherosclerosis leads to damage to more large vessels, and obliterating endarteritis is small, then there are some differences in symptoms. Small vessels can overlap completely in a fairly short time, so obliterating endarteritis is characterized by the rapid onset of pain in the calves. With atherosclerosis, in most cases it is impossible to feel the pulse in the popliteal fossa, and sometimes in the femoral artery.

Both diseases lead over time to permanent circulatory deficiency, which manifests itself constant pain. However, in some cases, seizures are also observed acute ischemia, leading to intermittent claudication with acute pain.

Neuritis and polyneuritis

Diseases of the nervous system such as neuritis and polyneuritis occur due to inflammation of individual tissues in the body. Polyneuritis is a form of neuritis in which massive nerve damage occurs. The cause of inflammation is most often various infectious diseases, as well as:

• lack of vitamins;
• lead vapor or alcohol poisoning;
• intoxication of the body associated with improper metabolism;
• diabetes mellitus;
• botulism.

If the sciatic nerve is pinched, pain with burning is possible. But progressive polyneuritis leads to a gradual decrease in muscle sensitivity and partial dystrophy. The main treatment for such ailments is the prerogative of a neurologist, but, depending on the reasons, other specialists may be involved:

• infectious disease specialist;
• endocrinologist (for diabetes);
• narcologist (for alcohol intoxication);
• oncologist (for cancer).

Damage to adjacent tissues

Often the calves of the legs hurt due to pathologies in the surrounding tissues. The nature of this pain syndrome is to reflect other pain that passes into the calf. But often damage to tissues located in close proximity leads to disturbances in the circulatory system, which has a direct effect on the calves.

Arthritis of the knee and ankle joint

The disease is inflammation of the joint due to injury, infection or uric acid deposits in the joint. At the first stage of the disease, the patient is bothered by periodic minor pain in the joint, which is then replaced by acute pain during exercise and walking. In the third stage, deformation of the joint occurs and the patient is unable to move independently.

The disease is diagnosed using x-rays, ultrasound and computed tomography, and a general blood test is performed.

Osteomyelitis of the tibia

With this disease in bone marrow a purulent-necrotic process occurs caused by staphylococcus, rickettsia or other bacteria, as well as some types of fungal infections. In addition to pain in the limb, the patient is worried about:

Inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous tissue

The calves of the legs may hurt due to erysipelas of the skin caused by infections. The affected areas of the skin become bright red and a burning sensation appears. The temperature may rise and nausea may occur. For treatment, antibiotics are used, as well as treatment of the affected area on the leg.

With panniculitis, necrotic changes occur in the subcutaneous fatty tissue. Destroyed fat cells are replaced connective tissue and nodes. The patient has calf pain and nodular formations, fever, drowsiness and malaise.

Spine pathologies

Pain in the calves caused by diseases of the spine is called radicular syndrome. Pinched nerves lead to sharp pain, which intensifies not only with movements, nor even with coughing. There is also aching pain at night. Here are the most frequent illnesses spine, causing pain in the calves.

1. Osteochondrosis.
2. Injuries.
3. Various types of tumors.
4. Spinal tuberculosis.

Diabetes mellitus

Metabolic disorders associated with diabetes can be caused by arterial insufficiency and inflammation of the subcutaneous tissue. Both of these conditions lead to pain in the calves. It is important to identify the initial signs of diabetes.

1. Constant thirst.
2. Poorly healing wounds.
3. Deterioration of memory and general well-being
4. Inexplicable thinness.

How can you help yourself?

If your calves hurt, what should you do in this situation? Of course, it is necessary to identify and treat the cause of the disease. But ambulance To alleviate the condition, it can be provided at home. A decoction bath is a good idea for this purpose. pine needles. To prepare it, you need to pour 100 g of pine needles into 1 liter. cold water, boil and keep in a water bath for 30 minutes. Pour into a bowl and keep your feet in the broth for 15 minutes.

Obviously, pain in the calves is not always a concern due to fatigue, but sometimes indicates serious disturbances in the functioning of the body.

Editor and expert of the site zdorovya-spine.ru. Specialization: general practitioner. More than 10 years of experience. City clinic, Smolensk. Graduated from Smolensk State medical academy specialty: general medicine. I really love my profession.

The Chinese have revealed to the whole world a method of how to treat joints in 2 days! Write the recipe before it gets deleted.

Your joints will look like they did at 25! Chinese doctor: To get rid of joint pain, you need to exclude.

The joints will stop aching the next day if you apply a penny in the evening.

Add a comment Cancel reply

We are on social networks

WE ARE IN VK

Categories

Read also

DO NOT SELF-medicate. THE INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THE SITE IS FOR POPULAR INFORMATIONAL INFORMATION AND CANNOT REPLACE A FACE-TO-FACE CONSULTATION WITH A DOCTOR!

By using this site, you agree to the use of cookies in accordance with this cookie type notice. If you do not agree to our use of this type of file, you should set your browser settings accordingly or not use the site

My calf hurts: what to do?

Painful sensations in the calves of the legs are a fairly common occurrence, the occurrence of which can have various factors. Very often a person is in no hurry to go to a specialist, trying to cope with the illness on his own and endure the pain - this is the wrong tactic, which in turn can lead to unpleasant consequences.

Causes of pain in the calves:

1. Excessive load on the calf joints, caused by severe physical overload, unusual for a person;

2. Severe weight gain and obesity;

3. Injuries and muscle damage;

4. A sharp change in the load on the legs, for example, long walking or running, which is uncharacteristic for a person.

These are only those factors that do not entail serious illnesses, and also do not guarantee an illness that requires immediate intervention. In this case, you just need to understand the main reason why unpleasant pain in the calves occurs and eliminate it: reduce the load, try to lose overweight and stretch tense leg muscles. But there are a number of diseases in which muscle pain is a symptom.

Diseases characterized by pain in the calves:

2. Diseases of the spine, such as: osteochondrosis, displacement of vertebral discs, tumor, tuberculosis of the spinal column. All these pathologies can cause pain in the calf muscles.

3. Atherosclerosis. In this case, the disease causes thickening of the walls of the blood vessels, they shrink and become denser, thus the muscles of the lower leg begin to ache. The pain becomes stronger with long walking. A characteristic symptom of this disease is cold feet, regardless of temperature.

4. Inflammation of the calf muscle. This disease is called myositis. This is the most common cause of pain in leg games. It can be caused by complications of viral and infectious diseases, as well as due to muscle strain and injury. Myositis is a very serious disease that requires mandatory treatment, only on the recommendation of a specialist. In this case, the pain is aching in nature and intensifies with walking and physical activity.

5. Diseases of peripheral nerves. Pain in the calves with neuralgia is usually constant, but can also be paroxysmal.

6. Thrombophlebitis is a vascular disease that causes throbbing pain in the calves.

7. Vein diseases: thrombosis, varicose veins.

8. Achilles tendon rupture.

9. Infectious diseases bones, such as osteomyelitis. At the same time, the pain is long-lasting and sharp.

All of these diseases are very serious and without timely intervention can lead to disastrous consequences that are dangerous to health, and some even to human life.

My calf hurts: what to do? First, determine the cause of the pain and consult a specialist. He will diagnose the disease and prescribe treatment. After this, strictly follow the doctor’s recommendations and take a number of preventive measures.

Pain in the calf, regardless of the factors that provoke it, should be treated by a specialist, but pain can be reduced with the help of traditional medicine.

My calf hurts: what to do? 10 folk remedies for pain in the calf:

1. Chestnut tincture

A tincture made from chestnut fruits can be used not only externally, but also internally. To prepare it you need half a liter of vodka and 50 grams of chestnut. The mixture should infuse for 2-3 weeks in a dark, cool place. After the specified time, wipe your feet with the resulting product every day. For oral administration: dilute a teaspoon of tincture with a glass of water and take before meals. The course of treatment is two weeks.

2. Baths with sea salt

In order to improve blood circulation, it is useful to make baths with sea salt and immerse your feet in them for minutes, and also during the shower to carry out contrast procedures, directing a stream of water to your calves, alternating hot and cold water.

Honey compresses will help relieve inflammation and pain, as well as improve blood flow. To do this, honey, lightly simmered in a water bath, is smeared on the calves and bandaged with an elastic bandage or thick cloth. Such lotions should be on the legs throughout the day. Before going to bed, they need to be changed and left overnight.

4. Baths with decoctions of nettle, coltsfoot, plantain

Baths made from a decoction of nettle, coltsfoot and plantain will help relieve heaviness in your legs. All components are taken in equal quantities (4 tablespoons each) and poured with three liters of boiling water. The mixture is cooled slightly and filtered.

Essential oils can be used as a means to help relieve feelings of heat and heaviness. A couple of drops for this essential oil mix with two tablespoons of any vegetable oil and apply to sore areas twice a day. The following oils are best suited for this: lavender, eucalyptus, tea tree, lemon.

Cold compresses have an analgesic effect. You can wrap regular ice in thick cloth and apply it to your calves, or you can prepare herbal ice, which will enhance the effect. Linden blossom Pour boiling water over and cool, then freeze in molds.

A very effective remedy for pain in the legs are baths with the addition of pine needles. 100 grams of pine needles are poured into a liter of water and brought to a boil, after which the broth is placed on water bath for half an hour.

8. Peppermint tincture

Peppermint helps relieve swelling and reduce pain. Take three teaspoons of mint and black elderberry flowers, and two teaspoons of linden and chamomile flowers. All components are poured with a third liter of boiling water. Leave for minutes and take 15 minutes before meals.

Honey massage has a beneficial effect on blood circulation and relaxes tense muscles. The massage is carried out according to the principle of sharply lowering the palm dipped in honey dissolved in a water bath.

Peppermint balm will help with fever and pain. For the recipe you will need: grape seed oil and mint essential oil. The components are taken in proportions: a teaspoon of grape seed oil to 4 drops of essential oil. Rub the resulting balm into your calves.

Treatment with folk remedies at home

Pain in the calves - main causes and treatment

Causes of pain in the calves. Difficulties in diagnosis

1. Diseases of venous vessels:

• acute venous thrombosis;
• postthrombotic syndrome;
• varicose veins.

2. Pathology of arterial vessels:

• atherosclerosis;
• obliterating endarteritis.

3. Damage to the nerve trunks innervating the lower extremities.

5. Diseases of surrounding tissues:

• arthritis of the ankle and knee joints;
• inflammation of the skin and/or subcutaneous tissue of the leg;
• tear or rupture of the Achilles tendon.

6. Pathology of the spine:

• osteochondrosis;
• spinal column injuries;
• chronic diseases of the spine;
• tumors, tuberculosis of the spinal column, etc.

7. Diabetes mellitus.

Pain in the calves due to venous pathology

1. Deep vein thrombosis of the leg, postthrombotic disease.

2. Varicose veins of superficial veins.

Pain in the calves due to deep vein thrombosis of the leg

• persistent swelling of the lower leg, accompanied by a constant feeling of heaviness in the legs;
• the skin on the affected limb appears glossy, the pattern of superficial veins clearly appears;
• pain in the affected calf spreads along the inner surface of the lower leg down to the foot, and up to the thigh;
• dorsiflexion of the foot causes or increases pain.

In some cases, anamnesis data can help in diagnosis - often deep vein thrombosis of the leg occurs after prolonged forced immobilization resulting from injuries, serious illnesses or surgical interventions. The occurrence of pathology is facilitated by oncological diseases(especially lung, stomach and pancreatic cancer), long-term use oral contraceptives. Often, deep vein thrombosis of the leg occurs in the postpartum period.

The triggers for the development of thrombosis of the internal veins of the leg are most often bacterial infection, lower leg injury, physical or nervous strain.

Aching pain in the calves of the legs with varicose veins

Pain in the calves due to arterial vascular pathology

Pain in the calves of the legs with acute occlusion (obstruction) of the arteries of the lower extremities

1. Damage to the arterial wall due to a chronic disease (atherosclerosis, obliterating endarteritis) or trauma to the vessel (mechanical, electrical trauma, frostbite, damage to the vessel during medical procedures).

2. Changes in blood composition in leukemia, severe chronic diseases, due to the administration of medications.

3. Poor circulation due to vascular spasm, shock reactions, after operations on the arterial trunks.

Pain in the calves of the legs with chronic arterial insufficiency of the lower extremities

• hair loss;
• degenerative changes in the nail plates;
• muscle tissue atrophy;
• paleness of the limb when raised up, and the appearance of congestive hyperemia when lowered;
• necrobiotic manifestations, from the formation of poorly healing ulcers to gangrene.

Pain in the calves due to muscle damage

Pain in the calves of the legs with neuritis and polyneuritis

More often, pain in the calves occurs with combined damage to several nerves - polyneuritis. In addition to pain, polyneuritis is characterized by decreased sensitivity, paresthesia, as well as motor and trophic disorders in the innervated area. In severe cases, polyneuritis can lead to increasing weakness and degeneration of the innervated muscles, flaccid paralysis, and the appearance of gross degenerative changes caused by impaired tissue trophism (dermatitis, non-healing ulcers, etc.)

1. Diabetes mellitus.

3. Infectious diseases:

Aching pain in the calves with damage to surrounding tissues

• osteomyelitis of the tibia and/or fibula;
• pathology of the knee joint and/or ankle joint;
• tear or rupture of the Achilles tendon;
• inflammatory lesions of the skin and/or subcutaneous tissue of the leg.

Diagnosis of pathologies of surrounding tissues, causing pain in the calves of the legs, as a rule, does not cause difficulties, since there is pain and corresponding visible pathological changes in the affected tissues.

Referred pain in the calves due to spinal pathology

In addition, pain with radicular syndrome has the following features:

• increased coughing and sneezing;
• increased at night;
• connection of the pain syndrome with movements in the spine, while certain movements can weaken or intensify the pain.

Most common reason radicular syndrome– osteochondrosis lumbar region spine. Particularly severe pain occurs when the intervertebral disc. This complication of osteochondrosis often occurs with sudden excessive physical effort, especially when lifting weights. Statistically, doctors most often make such a diagnosis during the summer vacation period, when city residents begin to engage in physical labor that is unusual for them (it is very typical that the same statistical data are recorded abroad, so that some Western researchers have dubbed the radicular syndrome due to a prolapsed disc a disease of the vacation time) .

Pain in the calves of the legs with diabetes

1. Damage to arterial vessels of medium and small caliber, and the resulting chronic arterial insufficiency.

3. Development of infectious and inflammatory processes against the background of impaired trophism (chronic ulcers, etc.).

Which doctor should I contact for pain in my calves?

What tests and examinations can a doctor prescribe for pain in the calves?

• Listening to heart sounds with a stethoscope;
• Blood pressure measurement;
• Determination of pulsation of leg arteries;
• Biochemical blood test (cholesterol, triglycerides, high and low density lipoproteins);
• Arteriography of blood vessels;
• Angiography (magnetic resonance or multislice tomographic method) (sign up);
• Ultrasound of blood vessels (sign up) for the corresponding area of ​​the body;
• Dopplerography of blood vessels in the corresponding area of ​​the body;
• Rheovasography of the corresponding part of the body (allows you to estimate the speed of blood flow);
• Thermography;
• Capillaroscopy;
• Laser Doppler flowmetry:
• Functional tests (sign up) (cold, thermometric, Goldflam, Shamov, perinephric or paravertebral blockade of the lumbar ganglia).

First, the doctor examines the legs to identify characteristic changes on calves, measures blood pressure, determines the pulsation of the arteries in the lower extremities, listens to heart sounds, after which, first of all, prescribes ultrasound of blood vessels, Dopplerography, arteriography and rheovasography, since these studies make it possible to make a diagnosis in most cases. If doubts remain after the initial studies, then if atherosclerosis is suspected, angiography is prescribed, if Raynaud's syndrome is suspected, laser Doppler flowmetry and a cold test are prescribed, if obliterating endarteritis is suspected, functional tests (except cold), thermography and capillaroscopy are prescribed.

• Inspection and palpation of the painful area of ​​the neck muscles;
• Blood test for rheumatoid factor (sign up);
• General blood test.

Most often, the doctor prescribes only a general blood test and palpates the diseased area in order to identify lumps, since this is what makes it possible to make a diagnosis in combination with characteristic clinical symptoms and the history of the development of the disease. A blood test for rheumatoid factor is prescribed only if the rheumatic nature of the disease is suspected, when myositis does not go away with treatment.

• Microscopy of the remains of meat consumed by people (if possible);
• Biopsy (sign up) of the calf or deltoid muscle, followed by studying the resulting material under a microscope to detect Trichinella larvae;
• Blood test for the presence of antibodies (sign up) to Trichinella using ELISA or RNGA methods;
• Allergy skin test (sign up) for Trichinella;
• General blood test;
• General urine analysis.

The doctor is always available mandatory prescribes a general blood and urine test, as well as microscopy of meat remains (if, of course, this is possible). In addition, if the disease lasts less than two weeks, then a biopsy of the gastrocnemius and deltoid muscles is prescribed and examined under a microscope, during which between muscle fibers trying to detect Trichinella larvae. If any are detected, then other tests are not prescribed, since this is not necessary, since the diagnosis of trichinosis is fully confirmed. If the disease lasts more than two weeks, then instead of a biopsy, a blood test is prescribed for the presence of antibodies to Trichinella and an allergy skin test. If these tests are positive, then the diagnosis is also considered confirmed.

• Functional neurological tests;
• Electroneurography;
• Electromyography (sign up);
• Evoked potential method.

To determine which nerve is inflamed, functional neurological tests are carried out, which consist of the doctor asking you to make various simple movements with your leg, toes, etc. Depending on what movements a person can and cannot make, the affected nerve is determined. Next, to determine the degree of damage to the nerve transmission, any of the following methods are prescribed - electroneurography, electromyography, the method of evoked potentials. Moreover, the doctor can use any one method, or a combination of two, or all three.

• General blood test;
• Blood test for rheumatic factor and C-reactive protein;
• Blood test for uric acid levels;
• Cytological and microbiological analysis synovial fluid;
• X-ray or computed tomography of the affected joint;
• Magnetic resonance imaging of the affected joint (sign up);
• Arthrography of the affected joint;
• Arthroscopy of the affected joint (sign up);
• Ultrasound of the joint (sign up);
• Joint thermography.

Usually, a complete blood count, blood tests for rheumatic factor, C-reactive protein, uric acid, as well as an ultrasound and x-ray of the affected joint are first prescribed (make an appointment). If technically possible, x-rays are replaced with computed tomography. The data from these examinations make it possible to find out whether we are talking about arthritis or arthrosis and, depending on this, prescribe additional tests. So, if arthrosis is detected, then magnetic resonance imaging is prescribed to assess the condition of the non-osseous structures (ligaments, tendons, cartilage) of the joint. And if arthritis is detected, then synovial fluid analysis, arthrography and arthroscopy are performed. If technically possible, thermography and magnetic resonance imaging are prescribed as additional examination methods for arthritis, allowing to assess the condition and degree of functional activity of tissues.

• Inspection and palpation of the inflamed area;
• General blood test;
• General urine test;
• Blood test for ASL-O titer (sign up);
• Bacteriological culture of the separated inflammatory focus;
• Immunogram (sign up).

It is mandatory to examine and palpate the inflammatory focus, prescribe a general blood and urine test, as well as bacteriological culture of the discharge to determine the causative agent. infectious process, and its sensitivity to antibiotics. A blood test for ASL-O titer is prescribed only when erysipelas, and it replaces the seeding of the discharge. That is, they don’t do it for erysipelas bacteriological culture discharge, and a blood test is performed to determine the ASL-O titer. An immunogram is prescribed only in the case of a long, protracted process that does not end with recovery, despite the treatment.

• Neurological examination (the doctor asks the patient to take various positions, make certain movements, by which he judges which root is pinched, how hard, etc.);
• Identification of points in the spine that, when pressed, cause severe pain (trigger points);
• Identification of areas of reduced sensitivity, muscle paresis;
• Electroneuromyography (sign up);
• X-ray of the spine (sign up) in two projections;
• Computed tomography of the spine;
• Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine (sign up).

First of all, to diagnose radicular syndrome, the doctor performs a neurological examination, identifies the presence of trigger points in the spine, and also finds out in which areas there is a weakening of sensitivity, paresis, or a decrease in muscle tone. Data from a neurological examination, knowledge of trigger points, areas of reduced sensitivity, low tone and muscle paresis allow us to diagnose radicular syndrome. To definitively confirm the diagnosis, electroneuromyography is performed. Further, to identify the cause of radicular syndrome, either an X-ray or computed tomography of the spine is first prescribed, which makes it possible to diagnose spinal curvature, osteochondrosis, spondyloarthrosis, spondylolisthesis, and ankylosing spondylitis. If X-ray or computed tomography data do not allow us to determine the cause of the radicular syndrome, then magnetic resonance imaging is prescribed, which also makes it possible to diagnose intervertebral hernia, tumors, spinal cord hematoma, meningoradiculitis. If technically possible, you can immediately do a magnetic resonance imaging (sign up) instead of an x-ray (sign up) or computed tomography.

Treatment for pain in the calves

1. Fighting excess weight (weight loss improves blood flow in the extremities, reduces stress on the spine, alleviates the symptoms of type 2 diabetes, and has a beneficial effect on the nervous system).

2. Quit smoking and alcohol.

3. Gentle regime for the limbs (prolonged static tension of the lower leg muscles should be avoided).

4. Nutritious food. You should limit your salt intake, as salt promotes fluid retention in the body and causes swelling in the legs.

5. Correct work and rest regime. Leisurely walks in the fresh air. Healthy sleep.