Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Calf Pain Post Hiking
Question: my calf hurts for approx. 5 months. it started after a strenuous hiking vacation. i excercise 4-5x p/week. the pain is present w or w/o excercise. it hurts most when i cross my legs and put pressure on it.
i am on compound meds for hormone repl. and thyroid. i am on topimirate for essential tremors. i take a baby aspirin p day.
i am on compound meds for hormone repl. and thyroid. i am on topimirate for essential tremors. i take a baby aspirin p day.
Brief Answer:
Explained possible diagnoses
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for using HCM to post your health query.
I read carefully your question and I understand your concern.
What I understand from your description is, that it is most probably a muscular problem. Since it started after a hard exercise, you might have pulled a muscle there it needs some rest now in order to heal completely. So I would say to stop the exercises for 2 weeks and continue taking Ibuprofen (advil) 400mg 3 times/day for next 2-3 days and thereafter take PARACETAMOL (Tylenol) 650mg three times daily after food, so it will help with lowering the inflammation and pain . Use also an analgesic cream (Diclofenac) for 3-4 times/day.
If you feel any numbness then you should consider the possibility of being a nerve pain, the treatment remains almost same, but will take much longer and you will need physical therapy there after.
If you have instability then you should see an orthopedician who can examine the area and determine if there is any ruptured ligament. Though I don't think so, because ligaments don't give pain in the calf.
If you have varicose veins, please consider doing an ultrasound & doppler of the veins of the leg to rule out any deep vein thromboses.
Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you need more clarifications.
Regards,
Dr. Papaqako
Explained possible diagnoses
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for using HCM to post your health query.
I read carefully your question and I understand your concern.
What I understand from your description is, that it is most probably a muscular problem. Since it started after a hard exercise, you might have pulled a muscle there it needs some rest now in order to heal completely. So I would say to stop the exercises for 2 weeks and continue taking Ibuprofen (advil) 400mg 3 times/day for next 2-3 days and thereafter take PARACETAMOL (Tylenol) 650mg three times daily after food, so it will help with lowering the inflammation and pain . Use also an analgesic cream (Diclofenac) for 3-4 times/day.
If you feel any numbness then you should consider the possibility of being a nerve pain, the treatment remains almost same, but will take much longer and you will need physical therapy there after.
If you have instability then you should see an orthopedician who can examine the area and determine if there is any ruptured ligament. Though I don't think so, because ligaments don't give pain in the calf.
If you have varicose veins, please consider doing an ultrasound & doppler of the veins of the leg to rule out any deep vein thromboses.
Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you need more clarifications.
Regards,
Dr. Papaqako
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
