Short Note on Calf Muscle Pain: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

Bruno Mazuquin*^*
*Correspondence: Bruno Mazuquin*, Department of Physical Therapy, UK College of Health Sciences, Department of Physical Therapy, UK College of Health Sciences, UK, UK, Email:

Introduction

Calf torment can be a gentle disturbance or be sufficiently extreme to keep an individual from walking. There are an assortment of conditions that can influence the lower leg muscles, just as the veins and different constructions around it. Luckily, a large number of the reasons for calf torment are effectively treatable [1].

Causes

An assortment of conditions and circumstances can cause calf torment, including:

Muscle cramp: Muscle cramps in the calf are a typical protest for the individuals who practice habitually. Lower leg muscle cramps are typically impermanent however can cause huge torment and distress. Causes of calf muscle cramps include:

Dehydration

• A loss of electrolytes through sweating

• Lack of stretching

• Prolonged physical activity

• Weak muscles

Muscle Strain: A calf muscle strain occurs when the muscle fibers in the calf tear either partially or completely. The intensity of the strain will determine the symptoms, but the majority of people will suffer abrupt, acute pain and soreness at the calf muscle location [2].

Arterial Claudication: An individual might encounter calf pain because of narrowing or blockages in the courses that supply blood stream to the legs. This is known as blood vessel claudication.

Blood vessel claudication might cause torment while strolling, as this development expects blood to stream to the lower legs. In the event that the blood experiences issues moving because of narrowing (claudication), an individual might encounter calf torment. An individual with blood vessel claudication will encounter no uneasiness very still, yet torment following a couple of moments of strolling [3].

Achilles Tendinitis

The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscle to the heel bone and is a thick, fibrous band. If a person's calf muscles are very tight, the Achilles tendon may be put under additional strain. Calf discomfort can arise as a result of this. People who have recently started an exercise programme or who conduct repetitive workouts are more likely to develop Achilles tendinitis.

Frequent stretching can often help to reduce symptoms

Plantar Fasciitis: Plantar fasciitis is a condition that affects the tissue on the bottom of the foot called the plantar fascia. Because the calf muscles cannot support the foot if they are overly tight, a person is more prone to develop plantar fascia. Plantar fasciitis is characterised by foot pain upon awakening and difficulties flexing the foot.

Treatment

Calf pain treatment is determined on the underlying cause. The PRICE approach can be used to address calf discomfort that is caused by injury or overuse. This is the abbreviation for:

Protection: To protect the injury and allow the muscles to rest, wrap the foot, ankle, or calf with a fabric bandage, splint, or immobiliser [4].

Rest: Don't use the calf muscle more than is absolutely necessary.

Ice: To assist relieve inflammation; apply a cloth-covered ice pack for 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Ice packs are sold at pharmacies and on the internet.

Compression: To minimise swelling, wrap the calf in a stretchy, tight bandage or wear a compression stocking

Elevation: Elevating the leg on cushions can assist to improve circulation and minimise edoema.

Medications or other medical treatments may be used to address other types of calf discomfort, depending on the underlying reason.

Stretches

Heating up by strolling at a moderate speed prior to taking part in more serious exercise can assist with forestalling muscle strain wounds. Notwithstanding these actions, an individual may likewise decide to do some delicate extending to diminish muscle snugness after work out.

An individual ought to consistently check with their PCP prior to starting an extending routine to guarantee the stretches won't irritate a physical issue.

Diagnosis

A doctor will conduct a physical examination to establish whether the ailment is a pulled or strained muscle. If the doctor determines that the problem is more serious, a musculoskeletal ultrasound scan may be ordered. The following are things that an ultrasonography can detect:

• Arterial claudication

• Achilles tendinitis

• Diabetic neuropathy

• Plantar fascia

• Deep vein thrombosis

A musculoskeletal ultrasound can also provide guidance regarding injection therapy.

References

Christopoulos, D., A.N. Nicolaides, A. Cook, and A. Irvine, J.M.D. Galloway, and A. Wilkinson. "Pathogenesis of venous ulceration in relation to the calf muscle pumps function." Surg 106(1989): 829-835.

Masuda, Elna M., Darcy M. Kessler, Robert L. Kistner, and Bo Eklof. Sato. "The natural history of calf vein thrombosis: lysis of thrombi and development of reflux." J Vascular Surg 28(1998): 67-74.

Kan, Yuk Man, and Konstantinos T. Delis. "Hemodynamic effects of supervised calf muscle exercise in patients with venous leg ulceration: a prospective controlled study." Arch Surg 13 (2001): 1364-1369.

Meissner, Mark H., Michael T. Caps, Brenda K. Zierler, and Nayak Polissar. "Determinants of chronic venous disease after acute deep venous thrombosis." J Vascular Surg 28(1998): 826-833.