Hello,
I have recently developed severe calf pain when walking. It starts within a minute from when I set off. It feels like my calf muscle is getting tighter and tighter forming a massive knot about half way down the calf. If I keep walking the pain spreads downwards and I start to get a sharp ache in my ankle and along the top of my foot. It is in both legs although is much worse in my left leg, The pain gets so bad that I am no longer able to walk for any length of time. The pain is also worse when I am walking uphill.
My Pilates teacher gave me calf stretches which I have been doing twice a day but with no improvement.
Any advice you could give would be much appreciated. I am trying to lose weight and it is obviously getting more difficult now I can't walk or jog.
Thank you
I have had a very similar experience over the last 3 months...
It started off as tightness around the knee but then spread down to the calf which was cramping when i was trying to walk. I could only walk around 100 yards until the cramp set in and then i was unable to walk any further without resting for 5 mins.
After seeing 1 nurse, 2 GP's and 2 physios i was given 3 different diagnosis's. Sprained knee, damaged/tight hamstring and calf wasting....i was given stretches and no improvement was seen
I went to see a more experienced physio and within 10mins of the examination he said it was my back that was causing the problem. Apparently a trapped nerve in the lumbar region (form of sciatica) can cause muscle/calf stiffness and therefore cramp.
He gave me back stretches to do and also told me to keep stretching the calf. I went back to my GP and told him what the Physio has said and he prescribed me Gabapentin.
In the last 2 weeks i have seen great improvement and have had no cramps since. I am still getting stiffness in both legs but i am able to walk for longer distances. I am currently waiting to see a muscloskeletal specialist
My advice would be to go and see an experienced Physio and get a full examination done
So often something like this drags on without anything being sorted out. Good you found the cause Deano and are getting something done about it.
There are a number of obvious causes and it may be worth googling 'intermittent calf pain' and see what comes up. You don't say how old you are, but possibly too young to have [url]this cause[/url] - but keep an open mind.
If it persists then pester your GP!
Treatment might be a good option, a physio might help, but if it's muscular I would also look into remedial or sports massage, for my own calf problems (its hell on the legs as a dancer) I've found them to be invaluable in recovery. Remember when you stretch the muscle, always to counter it with a relaxing stretch too for it's opposing muscle..
Hi Gingertortoise,
Your symptoms sound very similar to mine. I tried to treat my calf pain at home with a foam roller but as they were so tight it was impossible to do.
I was advised by a friend to see an osteopath. I did this and he treated my back as he believed this was the root of the problem, I also saw a sports massage therapist who could get much deeper into my calf than I could. After the first session I felt a huge difference. I used a clinic in London called Perfect Balance but I believe they have clinics in Hertfordshire too. It may be worth a look into he's a link to their website.
[url]Advice on Osteopathy | Osteopathy & Physiotherapy Hatfield, St Albans, Harley Street, Moorgate, St Paul's - Perfect Balance Clinic[/url]
Good luck...... let me know how it goes.
Matt
If it were a calf problem it would be painful even when sitting down. Im going to bet on it being a 'trapped nerve'.
Simple mechanical lesson, when you stand up, pressure is exerted from gravity to your body compressing your spine. The spinal compression you hve is abnormal which applied pressure to the nerve. It can have several effects, one including pain, other things such as power loss, twitchy legs, loss of sensation all point towards nerve interference. ( i hate the word trapoed nerve as it isnt trapped, its just pressurised) so i would suggest. A course of stretching for your lumbar spine, a course of core stability, some massage as muscles will be tighter, inversion therapy/traction, maybe some chiropractic or osteopthic care if the problem doesnt resolve in two weeks. If you want specific stretches message me.
O a side note, physios from the last 5 years may not be trained in enough of these aspects of musculoskeletal care so seek out a sports therapist.
Tt
When I saw the title of this thread a problem called Intermittent Claudication came to mind. The symptom can be seen here
[url]Intermittent Claudication - definition of Intermittent Claudication in the Medical dictionary - by the Free Online Medical Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.[/url]
I would take a large bet this isn't your problem - but it COULD be the cause for someone else who pops into this thread..