What Causes Calf Pain While Walking

It has happened to the best of us, experiencing calf pain while walking. Sometimes, the pain subsides on its own, whereas there are times when the pain refuses to go and makes it difficult to walk. There are different causes of this condition. Often, it is seen that people experience this pain when they resume exercise after a long break, or if they are new to exercise. On the other hand, some people experience pain for the first time, when they are working out and it subsides on its own, only to haunt a person later on, while walking. There are times, when the pain is not as serious, also, there are times, when the pain can be very difficult to cope with. There are a wide range of reasons, which can give rise to this condition.

Causes of Calf Pain While Walking

Sometimes the cause of calf pain is overactivity. Due to overactivity the muscles in the calf are strained. This straining is often similar to an injury to the calf muscles. Any injury, which occurs from the back of the knee to the ankle may trigger calf pain. There are three main muscles, which constitute the calf muscles, namely soleus muscle and two gastrocnemius muscle. Often, injury or strain caused to gastrocnemius muscle is termed as calf muscle strain. It happens, if the muscle is over stretched. In moderate calf strain, it is seen that the person will experience discomfort and calf pain while walking. In some cases, swelling and bruising will also be seen.

Poor blood circulation to the feet may also give rise to this condition. Although a rare condition, it may nevertheless affect a person. Poor blood circulation may be caused by various physical as well as mental factors. Anxiety, tension, are some of the mental reasons, which can give rise to this condition. Physical conditions like diabetes, varicose veins, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, peripheral artery disease, may also give rise to this condition. Raynaud's disease may also cause poor blood circulation to the extremities. Along with pain, the person may also experience cold feet. This condition often affects women and children who live in cold climates.

Sudden calf pain while walking may be caused due to cramping of the muscles in the leg. This condition is also known as 'spasms'. These spasms may be caused due to over straining of the muscles resulting in injuries. This condition is normally seen, when the person is sleeping, or when a person starts walking after a rigorous exercise. When a person experiences cramp, there is sudden involuntary contraction of the muscles, which results in a knot being formed. If you have suffered from calf muscle pain while walking, it may also be caused due to low electrolyte levels in the body. This often happens after you have been working out for a very long period of time, which has led to loss of electrolytes. This is also often the cause of calf pain while running.

It is not uncommon to see people not warming up sufficiently before they start with their walking exercise. Before you start with a brisk walk, the calf muscles have to be conditioned to tune them for the hard work they are just about to go through. Hence, simple calf stretches are recommended, so that one can prevent muscle strains. When a person starts the walking exercise after a substantial gap, then it can give rise to stiffness. Since you are working out after a long period of time, the muscles are relaxed and with the impact of the exercise, they become stiff and give rise to calf pain when walking.

While brisk walking, if your feet roll over too much, it is known as over pronation. This condition places a lot of stress on the muscles in the calf and also the Achilles tendon. Hence, if you experience calf pain, you will want to take this cause into consideration.

If you have tight calf muscles and weak shins, then it can also give rise to calf pain. If you do not wear the right kind of footwear, or walk or run on hard surfaces, then it leads to additional pressure on the shin bones, which further places a lot of stress on the calf muscles. To relieve yourself from this condition, it is important that some of the calf muscle stretches are practiced regularly, so that the muscles are strengthened.

These were some of the causes of calf pain while walking. Now that you have found the answer to the question, what causes calf pain while walking, you will have to take measures to rectify the problem. It is best to consult your health care professional for the same. A health care professional will be able to diagnose the condition better, after looking at your condition. It is recommended that you do not self treat the condition.