Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Severe Calf Pain In Both Legs In An Elderly Person?
Posted on
Fri, 13 May 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Fri, 13 May 2016
Answered on
Thu, 23 Jun 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : I'm 62 over the last few years I experience fairly severe calf pain in both legs. It is worse after prolonged exercise. But even after a work day with normal walking around the office it can be painful.
Brief Answer:
may be related to the arteries- peripheral vascular disease
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
It is possible that the pain may be related to issues with the arteries in the legs.
There are 2 main types of blood vessels, the arteries and the veins. The veins carry blood needing oxygen back to the heart and lungs and the arteries carry blood away from the heart to the areas that need it.
In terms of problems with blood vessels in the legs, there can be venous (veins- varicose veins etc) disease or arterial (arteries- pulses) disease- called peripheral vascular disease.
Compression stockings are used with venous disease not with problems with the arteries.
They do not help with arterial disease (the pulses in the legs).
If there is any blockage or decrease in blood flow in the arteries, pain tends to occur or worsen with activity when the muscles in the legs need even more blood and can't get it.
Your doctor can check the pulses in your leg- at the knee, the ankle and in the foot- to see they are ok
He or she can also do or order a test called ankle- brachial index that compares the pressure in the arm and leg
Treatment, if confirmed-(a)reducing any risk factors that can worsen the artery circulation eg smoking, controlling blood pressure, controlling cholesterol
(b)asprin
(c)cholesterol medications
(d)exercise- this encourages new blood vessels that may go around any blocked areas.
I hope this helps , feel free to ask any other questions
may be related to the arteries- peripheral vascular disease
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
It is possible that the pain may be related to issues with the arteries in the legs.
There are 2 main types of blood vessels, the arteries and the veins. The veins carry blood needing oxygen back to the heart and lungs and the arteries carry blood away from the heart to the areas that need it.
In terms of problems with blood vessels in the legs, there can be venous (veins- varicose veins etc) disease or arterial (arteries- pulses) disease- called peripheral vascular disease.
Compression stockings are used with venous disease not with problems with the arteries.
They do not help with arterial disease (the pulses in the legs).
If there is any blockage or decrease in blood flow in the arteries, pain tends to occur or worsen with activity when the muscles in the legs need even more blood and can't get it.
Your doctor can check the pulses in your leg- at the knee, the ankle and in the foot- to see they are ok
He or she can also do or order a test called ankle- brachial index that compares the pressure in the arm and leg
Treatment, if confirmed-(a)reducing any risk factors that can worsen the artery circulation eg smoking, controlling blood pressure, controlling cholesterol
(b)asprin
(c)cholesterol medications
(d)exercise- this encourages new blood vessels that may go around any blocked areas.
I hope this helps , feel free to ask any other questions
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
