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What Casues Calf Pain?
Question: Hello Doctor, From last 8 months I am feeling calf pain in my left leg when I play or run. Normally I play badminton, Football, cricket etc. The pain comes once I run for a while. The symptoms are like - sudden pain in the back of the lower leg between the knee and the heel, Pain when pushing off or standing on toes, Stiffness, Weakness. Please need your suggestion for the same. i have not consulted any doctor yet. If you suggest please name the specialist also. Is it require to do some scanning for better clarification?
Waiting for your help.
Waiting for your help.
Brief Answer:
Few blood tests will help.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The pain only in left calf after running or walking could be due to muscle strain.
The pain is due to associated muscle spasm .
The cause of such cramps can be-
1. Low blood levels of either calcium or magnesium directly increase the excitability of both the nerve endings and the muscles they stimulate. Cramps can also occur in excessive vomiting, dehydration.
2. The drugs which cause excessive urination. Leading to low calcium, Magnesium, potassium level. Drugs given for asthma, angina and Parkinsonism also lead to cramps. Cholesterol lowering drugs like statin also cause cramps on chronic use.
3. Several vitamin deficiency states may directly or indirectly lead to muscle cramps. These include deficiencies of thiamine (B1), pantothenic acid (B5), and pyridoxine (B6).
Most cramps can be stopped if the muscle can be stretched. For many cramps of the feet and legs, this stretching can often be accomplished by standing up and walking around. Gently massaging the muscle will often help it to relax, as will applying warmth from a heating pad or hot soak. If the cramp is associated with fluid loss, as is often the case with vigorous physical activity, fluid and electrolyte (especially sodium and potassium) replacement is essential. Certain drugs like baclofen are helpful.
A simple way to prevent cramp is stretch your calf muscle before going to work 3-4 times and each time holding for 10-15 seconds.
In case the pain is persistent then it is best to find out the exact cause after a few blood tests.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Few blood tests will help.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The pain only in left calf after running or walking could be due to muscle strain.
The pain is due to associated muscle spasm .
The cause of such cramps can be-
1. Low blood levels of either calcium or magnesium directly increase the excitability of both the nerve endings and the muscles they stimulate. Cramps can also occur in excessive vomiting, dehydration.
2. The drugs which cause excessive urination. Leading to low calcium, Magnesium, potassium level. Drugs given for asthma, angina and Parkinsonism also lead to cramps. Cholesterol lowering drugs like statin also cause cramps on chronic use.
3. Several vitamin deficiency states may directly or indirectly lead to muscle cramps. These include deficiencies of thiamine (B1), pantothenic acid (B5), and pyridoxine (B6).
Most cramps can be stopped if the muscle can be stretched. For many cramps of the feet and legs, this stretching can often be accomplished by standing up and walking around. Gently massaging the muscle will often help it to relax, as will applying warmth from a heating pad or hot soak. If the cramp is associated with fluid loss, as is often the case with vigorous physical activity, fluid and electrolyte (especially sodium and potassium) replacement is essential. Certain drugs like baclofen are helpful.
A simple way to prevent cramp is stretch your calf muscle before going to work 3-4 times and each time holding for 10-15 seconds.
In case the pain is persistent then it is best to find out the exact cause after a few blood tests.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks for quick response. As you mentioned, I do stretching before playing even try to press the muscle but I do not get any relief. As the pain is from long time, I think should go with the blood test. Please name the blood test so it will be helpful for me. Thanks in advance.
Brief Answer:
Details below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
You can get your serum electrolytes- sodium calcium potassium and magnesium evaluated. Getting serum Vitamin B12 and D3 levels will also help.
You can also start taking a Vitamin B complex supplement for a few weeks and see if it helps.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Details below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
You can get your serum electrolytes- sodium calcium potassium and magnesium evaluated. Getting serum Vitamin B12 and D3 levels will also help.
You can also start taking a Vitamin B complex supplement for a few weeks and see if it helps.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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