The calf muscles are things that usually go unnoticed for most people until they become an issue that is. Despite appearing to be up there with some of the strongest muscles in our bodies, calves can be just as susceptible to problems and injury as everywhere else in the body.
Whilst it is certainly true that most cases of calf pain can be treated at home or with home remedies, there are a number of other causes of calf pain that may require immediate and urgent medical attention from a doctor or at the hospital.
Whether you are a professional athlete, someone who works out and wants to look good, or just a regular person hoping to live a pain-free life, pain in the calf can take the wind straight out of your sails and throw you way off course.
Here is a list of 8 of the most common reasons why someone would feel pain in the calf.
1. Muscle cramp
Everyone knows the pain of muscle cramps. Many people describe them as being up there with the worst pain imaginable, whilst others say they even perversely enjoy the sensation of a cramping contraction. It takes all kinds of people to make a world and if muscle cramps are your thing, good for you.
Muscle cramps are things that come on suddenly, incredibly painful contractions of the muscles. When the cramp is in the calf it can be fairly debilitating. If you were to look at the calf muscle during a cramp you would be able to see the muscle moving and contracting in synchronization with the waves of pain.
Usually, cramps are a sign of dehydration and a lack of oxygen in the affected area. This means that in extended periods of exercise and physical exertion it can be fairly common for someone to suffer a cramp in the calf muscle.