See your doctor as soon as possible if you have: Signs of infection, such as redness, warmth or tenderness, or you have a fever greater than100 F (37.8 C) A leg that is swollen, pale or unusually cool. Calf pain, particularly after prolonged sitting, such as on a long car trip or plane ride.
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How do I know if my calf pain is serious?
Symptoms that might indicate a more severe condition include:
- swelling.
- unusual coolness or pale color in the calf.
- tingling or numbness in the calf and leg.
- weakness of the leg.
- fluid retention.
- redness, warmth, and tenderness of the calf.
What would pain in the calves indicate?
Calf muscle pain is usually the result of a mild injury, such as a strain, or leg cramps. But severe or ongoing pain in your calves can be a sign that the muscles in your lower legs aren’t getting enough blood.
What to do if your calf is hurting?
How is calf pain treated?
- Rest the area.
- Ice the area for 20 minutes, using a covered icepack or bag of frozen peas.
- Compress the area with a bandage (but if the pain gets worse, loosen the bandage).
- Elevate the lower leg by sitting or lying down (for example with pillows), so it is above the level of the heart.
When should I worry about calf pain when walking?
Make an appointment with your doctor if you have calf pain when walking that: doesn’t improve or gets worse with a few days of at-home care.
What does a blood clot in calf feel like?
Symptoms of DVT in the leg are: throbbing or cramping pain in 1 leg (rarely both legs), usually in the calf or thigh. swelling in 1 leg (rarely both legs) warm skin around the painful area.
What are the first signs of a blood clot in the leg?
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) symptoms can include:
- Leg swelling.
- Leg pain, cramping or soreness that often starts in the calf.
- Change in skin color on the leg — such as red or purple, depending on the color of your skin.
- A feeling of warmth on the affected leg.
What deficiency causes calf pain?
Iron deficiency can also cause anemia which in severe cases can cause painful lower leg cramps.
How long does a calf strain last?
In total, it usually takes up to three days for a pulled calf muscle to start feeling better. But a full recovery may take up to six weeks, according to Oxford University Hospitals. Severe swelling can make any pain and discomfort last a bit longer. Walking on recovering calf muscles can also increase recovery time.
Is DVT pain constant?
Timing: DVT symptoms are usually subtle at the start and then gradually increase over days. Cramps are the opposite. They typically start suddenly and feel severe but go away just as quickly and last only seconds to minutes. Cramps also most commonly occur in the middle of the night.
What does a torn calf muscle feel like?
Symptoms of a torn calf muscle can include: No calf strength, including being unable to balance or bear weight on the injured leg. Snapping or popping sensation in your calf. Sudden pain in the back of your lower leg, like someone kicked your calf.
What is the difference between a calf strain and a tear?
A calf strain usually starts with sudden pain in the back of the lower leg. A pop, snap or tearing sensation may be felt. Occasionally, with a severe tear, it may feel like you have been shot in the back of the leg. Afterwards, the calf may swell and it will be difficult to rise up onto the toes.
Can you walk with a torn calf muscle?
Moderately severe calf injuries need to be treated with a little more caution. In the early stages there will be noticeable swelling and discomfort. You will be able to walk unaided but with some difficulty and pain. Any movements that place even a small stress or load on the calf are likely to be painful.
How do you know if you have a blood clot?
Symptoms of a blood clot include: throbbing or cramping pain, swelling, redness and warmth in a leg or arm. sudden breathlessness, sharp chest pain (may be worse when you breathe in) and a cough or coughing up blood.
What does blood clot in leg look like?
Clue: Skin Color. If a clot plugs up veins in your arms or legs, they may look bluish or reddish. Your skin also might stay discolored from the damage to blood vessels afterward. A PE in your lung could make your skin pale, bluish, and clammy.
What is vascular leg pain like?
What are the symptoms of vascular pain? Symptoms include lack of circulation, pain, or heaviness in the area affected by vascular disease or injury. There also may be numbness, weakness, or a tingling feeling in the affected area.
What are the 10 signs of a blood clot?
Arms, Legs
- Swelling. This can happen in the exact spot where the blood clot forms, or your entire leg or arm could puff up.
- Change in color. You might notice that your arm or leg takes on a red or blue tinge, or gets or itchy.
- Pain.
- Warm skin.
- Trouble breathing.
- Lower leg cramp.
- Pitting edema.
- Swollen, painful veins.
How do you check for blood clots in legs at home?
This evaluation, known as Homan’s Test, consists of laying flat on your back and extending the knee in the suspected leg. Have a friend or family member raise the extended leg to 10 degrees, then have them squeeze the calf. If there’s deep pain in the calf, it may be indicative of DVT.
Can you walk with a blood clot in your leg?
Following a DVT, your leg may be swollen, tender, red, or hot to the touch. These symptoms should improve over time, and exercise often helps. Walking and exercise are safe to do, but be sure to listen to your body to avoid overexertion.
How can you tell the difference between a blood clot and a leg cramp?
A DVT will often present with pain, redness, heat and a palpable lump, whereas a strain or muscle cramp will be painful but doesn’t always have redness or heat radiating from the area. A cramp can usually be “walked off”, whereas a DVT has a constant pain intensity.
Does blood clot pain come and go in leg?
Does blood clot pain come and go? Unlike the pain from a charley horse that usually goes away after stretching or with rest, the pain from a blood clot does not go away and usually gets worse with time.