Why calves hurt in women and men

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

The calf muscles of a person take the main load during movement, therefore, tension and pain in them are quite common. Both ordinary overstrain and the development of serious pathological conditions can cause problems. To prevent this, it is important to know why calves hurt in women and men.

Main reasons

The causes of pain in the calf area in both men and women are approximately the same. Quite often, they are associated with the development of diseases of the muscles, veins and other tissues of the spine and legs. Sometimes the pain is accompanied by convulsive conditions.

Neurological diseases

The destruction of nerve fibers leads to such neurological pathologies as polyneuritis and neuritis, one of the main symptoms of which is severe pulling pain. It manifests itself paroxysm and can affect the entire area of the affected nerve.

In addition to pain, neuritis is often accompanied by the following symptoms:

• decreased muscle sensitivity;
• impaired motor function in the area of the affected nerve;
• feeling of "goose bumps", tingling, numbness in the calf muscles;
• disorders of a trophic nature in the development of pathology.

With neurological diseases, all of the above symptoms, or any one of them, can appear. It all depends on the stage of development of the pathology.

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Damage to muscle tissue

Inflammatory processes in the calf muscles are also quite often the cause of pain in them. They can appear for 2 reasons: diseases caused by parasites and myositis.

Infection with various parasites is often accompanied by the following symptoms:

• muscle pain (especially pronounced in the calf);
• diarrhea;
• nausea;
• vomiting;
• fever;
• swelling in the face.

Myositis is manifested by paroxysmal pain in the calf muscles of a pulling character, which, with the development of pathology, becomes more and more intense, especially during movement.

Arterial pathology

The causes of pain in the calf muscles can be hidden in the development of arterial disease. In this case, the vessels do not receive the proper amount of nutrients and oxygen, which leads to the formation of ischemic conditions.

Depending on the degree of vascular damage, pain is of a different nature:

• In chronic arterial insufficiency, pain can be both constant and paroxysmal. Both types are often accompanied by the formation of ulcers and gangrene, muscle atrophy, and seizures.
• In acute arterial obstruction, the pain is burning, acute, accompanied by cooling of the muscles and edema.

In the absence of timely adequate treatment, diseases of the arteries of the legs can lead not only to serious complications, but also to amputation of the limb.

Diseases of the veins

One of the most common causes of pain in the calf muscles is pathological lesions of the veins of the legs. They manifest themselves in different ways, depending on the severity of the disease and the presence of concomitant symptoms.

The most common leg vein pathologies include the following conditions:

• Thrombophlebitis. The pain in this disease is very intense, extending to the entire inner surface of the lower leg from the foot to the thigh. They are often accompanied by heaviness in the legs and swelling. The painful sensations increase significantly when the foot is bent. This pathology requires immediate treatment, since blood clots in the veins of the legs often lead to blockage of the veins and, as a result, to death.
• Varicose veins. Pain in this condition begins most often in the afternoon, is permanent and is accompanied by swelling of the calf muscles. The clear signs of this pathology are spider veins and protruding veins. Painful sensations with varicose veins are provoked precisely by the edema of the lower extremities, as a result of which the blood supply to the muscles of the lower leg is disrupted.

Any pathology of the veins of the legs over time can lead to the appearance of ulcers, the development of gangrene and, in severe cases, to amputation.

Other reasons

The reason for the appearance of pain in the calf muscles can also be conditions that are not associated with the above diseases. They can appear due to damage to nearby tissues, for example:

• with inflammatory processes on the skin;
• with pathology of the ankle or knee joints;
• with osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine;
• with a purulent-necrotic process in the tibia.

Often, injuries that are not healed in time help the doctor answer the question of why the calves of the legs hurt in men. It is important to remember that even the slightest damage to the calf muscles can lead to irreversible consequences.

The following factors can also affect the appearance of pain in the calf muscles:

• low physical activity;
• the regular presence in the diet of smoked and too salty foods;
• overwork;
• wearing uncomfortable shoes;
• severe hypothermia;
• different degrees of obesity.

It is important to know why the calves of the legs hurt in women, this will help to minimize or even completely remove their manifestation. The most common causes are:

• menopause;
• pregnancy;
• hormonal disorders.

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Women who are carrying a child should be especially attentive to pain in the calf muscles. Since such problems can be a clear indicator of kidney disease.

Diagnostics

In order to correctly diagnose and prescribe adequate treatment, a comprehensive examination is prescribed for pain in the calf muscles. It includes:

• blood tests (general and biochemical);
• computed tomography;
• magnetic resonance imaging;
• Ultrasound of arteries and veins;
• urine tests;
• radiography;
• electrocardiogram;
• articular puncture if necessary.

With pain in the calf muscles, you will need to consult several specialists at once - a therapist, orthopedist, phlebologist and traumatologist.

Features and principles of treatment

Therapy for pain in the calf muscles is complex. Different methods of treatment are used for her:

• therapeutic and prophylactic gymnastics, which helps to strengthen muscles and ligaments;
• elimination of toxic substances;
• removal of edema and pain;
• elimination of inflammation;
• improved blood circulation.

Elastic bandages are also used to support muscles and relieve pain. As an adjuvant, vitamin-containing preparations can be used.

Prophylaxis

It is important to know what to do to minimize the risk of pain in the calf muscles. Experts recommend following a number of the following preventive measures:

• practice walking, especially barefoot;
• after a hard day, pour cold water on your feet;
• wear comfortable shoes;
• give up too tight things;
• stabilize weight;
• take regular breaks during heavy physical work (it is advisable to regularly massage your legs);
• minimize the consumption of coffee and alcoholic beverages;
• be sure to play sports (especially when sedentary work);
• take vitamin complexes 2-3 times a year;
• periodically do hot foot baths, foot massage.

All these activities will help protect the muscles and veins of the legs from the development of inflammatory processes.

Outcomes

If you have regular pain in the calf muscles, you must undergo a complete medical examination. Late diagnosis can lead to serious complications that are fraught with amputation of the limbs. And in order to prevent the development of diseases of the calf muscles, it is recommended to observe preventive measures.