What is up with my calf?

[Anonymous]

I'm a 45yo woman who could stand to lose some pounds and spend more time on my fitness. I walk a ton and have always been muscular, particularly in my legs. Last week I was trying on some shorts at home and started flexing my calf muscles in the mirror. Even though I've been slacking on the exercise front, I was still pretty pleased with what I saw.

A few hours later I was out browsing in a store and got one of those horrible calf cramps/muscles spasms that are pretty debilitating. My range of movement was impaired and I was sore, but improving for the next few days. I basically felt fully recovered when out of nowhere, the horrible cramp returned. Again, I wasn't doing anything to exert myself, it just came out of blue after taking it easy and recovering from the first incident.

I'm 2 days out from the second flare up and am still sore, although this time I don't feel like I'm recovering as quickly. I haven't done anything to aggravate it further and am fully hydrated, well rested and eating balanced and clean.

What could be the cause of the reoccurring cramping, pain and overall tightness? How should I continue to treat this at home besides rest, ice/heat, gentle massage, etc? I'm really stumped with what is going on with my body right now.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like you strained your calf muscle. I would continue rest, ice, nsaids (ibuprofen, naproxen, etc.) and do gentle stretching exercises. If you notice worsening pain, redness, swelling, go see a doctor asap.

[Anonymous]

Try Epsom Salt Cream (Kirkman makes one you can get on amazon) rubbed into your calf for a few days.

I call this cream the "magic" cream because for. years now whenever anyone has a muscle problem it gets solved using this cream. I even had what I thought was a rotator cuff injury because my shoulder hurt so badly for months after falling and landing weird on my arm, and after using the magnesium cream a few times, it's almost not noticeable anymore.

In any case, it can't hurt, and it may just fix your problem. If it doesn't, then I'd see a doctor.

[Anonymous]

Drink plenty of water.

[Anonymous]

Two times - I wouldn’t worry. I’m prone to cramping and sometimes it seems like a bad one will make me more susceptible to more in the next few days and it’s not uncommon to have lingering pain and tightness. If it keeps happening or pain is still there after a couple weeks I’d consider going to the doctor.

[Anonymous]

This used to happen to my son. his hockey coach advised an over the counter calcium/D supplement and told him to eat bananas with breakfast and before bed for the potassium. It worked.

[Anonymous]

Arnica gel

[Anonymous]

thrombosis?

[Anonymous]

Like a Charlie horse?

[Anonymous]

Is it the same leg?

Are you on any medications (diuretics, statins, etc)?

[Anonymous]

I feel like calf injuries are super common in middle-aged women. I play tennis and it seems like the more frequent injury that I see and hear about. Our calves just seem to get tighter and tighter.

There are good exercises or you can use a tennis ball to massage out the knot... otherwise I don't have a lot of suggestions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Try Epsom Salt Cream (Kirkman makes one you can get on amazon) rubbed into your calf for a few days.

I call this cream the "magic" cream because for. years now whenever anyone has a muscle problem it gets solved using this cream. I even had what I thought was a rotator cuff injury because my shoulder hurt so badly for months after falling and landing weird on my arm, and after using the magnesium cream a few times, it's almost not noticeable anymore.

In any case, it can't hurt, and it may just fix your problem. If it doesn't, then I'd see a doctor.

NP, I’m going to look that up. I’ve seen Magnesium oil recommended on this list, so I bought a spray bottle and used it when I had a terrible cramp in my calf in the middle of the night. It helped. I don’t love the feel of the magnesium oil, I wonder if I’d prefer the Epsom Salt Cream

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Try Epsom Salt Cream (Kirkman makes one you can get on amazon) rubbed into your calf for a few days.

I call this cream the "magic" cream because for. years now whenever anyone has a muscle problem it gets solved using this cream. I even had what I thought was a rotator cuff injury because my shoulder hurt so badly for months after falling and landing weird on my arm, and after using the magnesium cream a few times, it's almost not noticeable anymore.

In any case, it can't hurt, and it may just fix your problem. If it doesn't, then I'd see a doctor.

NP, I’m going to look that up. I’ve seen Magnesium oil recommended on this list, so I bought a spray bottle and used it when I had a terrible cramp in my calf in the middle of the night. It helped. I don’t love the feel of the magnesium oil, I wonder if I’d prefer the Epsom Salt Cream

The epsom salt cream is incredible. Although I tell my kids (and anyone else that will listen lol), that the spray is also extremely effective and powerful. It gets the magnesium more easily into your cells where it is most needed if you are deficient. I put it on before a shower, wait 20 minutes, then take my shower so I don't feel the stickiness. I've also put it onto my legs and rubbed it in and you don't feel it after a while.

[Anonymous]

If you have any other symptoms of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, or were off your feet or flying recently check in with your medical practice.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/deep-vein-thrombosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20352557

[Anonymous]

In case it was a Charley horse, drink more water, eat banana, and potato for potassium.