Your calf muscles—consist of gastrocnemius and soleus muscles – are responsible for pointing your feet forward, raising your toes and propelling your body forward when you walk. Calf pain when walking can occur for a variety of reasons, ranging from a mild muscle strain to a more serious underlying health condition that affects blood flow to your legs.

1. Muscle cramps

The calves are a common area for muscle cramps (sometimes called “charley horses”), which can cause severe calf pain when walking.

Calf cramps can occur for a variety of reasons, such as:

• Dehydration
• Electrolyte imbalance
• Drug side effects
• Pinched nerves
• Poor blood flow to your calf muscles
• Too much exercise

2. Muscle damage

Muscle strains, or pulled muscles, can occur from excessive activity or overstretching (intentional or from injury). Calf trunks usually affects runners and people who play sports that require a lot of running (such as tennis or basketball).

They vary in severity, with mild strains being injuries caused by overstretching the muscle, while more severe strains can result in torn muscle fibers.

Other symptoms of muscle damage may include:

• Bruises
• Muscle spasms/cramps
• Swelling
• Weakness

3. Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) occurs when the blood vessels that supply blood from the heart to the leg muscles (the arteries) narrow. The most common cause of PAD is arteriosclerosisa condition that occurs when substances such as fat and cholesterol (plaque) build up in the walls of blood vessels.

Pain from PAD is worst when walking and climbing stairs and improves with rest. If left untreated, it can lead to changes in skin color and sores that are difficult to heal due to poor blood flow. In severe cases, the affected leg may need to be amputated.

4. Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)

Veins are blood vessels that return blood to the heart. Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) occurs when the blood vessels cannot adequately pump blood back to the heart, causing it to collect in the legs.

Varicose veins is the most common symptom of CVI. This condition causes pain in the lower leg that usually occurs when walking or at the end of the day and improves with rest. In addition to pain, CVI can cause a feeling of heaviness and pressure in the leg.

Other symptoms may include:

• Changes in skin color, often around the ankles
• Open wounds (sores)
• Swelling in the ankles or lower legs
• Tightness or itching in the legs

5. Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Lumbar spinal stenosis is a wear and tear condition in the lower back that causes the part of your spine that houses your spinal cord and nerves that supply your legs to narrow. Over time, this can lead to pressure on the nerves, causing calf pain when walking.

Pain from lumbar spinal stenosis often begins in the back. Once the nerves are compressed, you may experience burning pain that radiates down the leg and sometimes affects the calf. Other symptoms may include numbness, tingling and weakness in the leg muscles.

This condition often causes pain when standing upright and walking. Leaning forward takes some pressure off the nerves, so pain is usually better when sitting down.

6. Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome (CECS)

Chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) is a rare condition that can affect the leg or, less commonly, the arm. Several compartments throughout the body contain muscles, nerves and blood vessels. The contents of these compartments are surrounded by fasciastrong tissue that does not stretch.

Chronic exertional compartment syndrome occurs when the muscles swell, causing pressure to build up in the area. Because the fascia does not stretch, this can cut off blood flow to the area. This condition can affect the calf after too much physical activity – usually running or military marching.

Pain from CECS worsens with activity and usually improves with rest. Other symptoms may include:

• Ankle weakness
• Muscle “bulging” in the affected area
• Muscle cramps
• Numbness

Self-care to relieve calf pain

Self-care treatments can help relieve calf pain, especially if a soft tissue injury, such as a muscle tear, is causing your symptoms.

Start with the RICE method:

• Rest: Reduce your walking as much as possible. If you have to walk a lot, it might be good to temporarily use one walking device (such as crutches or a cane).
• Ice: To reduce pain, apply ice to the calf for up to 20 minutes several times per day.
• Compression: Wrap the calf in a supportive elastic bandage to provide some support and reduce swelling.
• Aggrandize: Elevate the leg (preferably higher than the heart) to reduce swelling while resting.

Gentle calf stretches can help reduce pain when walking.

Follow these steps:

1. Place your palms flat against the wall at shoulder height.
2. Step one foot back and straighten your knee to aim gastrocnemius muscle.
3. Bend your front knee and slowly lean forward until you feel a stretch (but no pain) along your calf.
4. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat three times.
5. Repeat this stretch with your back knee slightly bent to target soleus muscle.

Non-prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as Aleve (naproxen) or Advil/Motrin (ibuprofen), can help reduce calf pain and inflammation in soft tissue conditions.

Treatment options for calf pain when walking

Minor muscle injuries usually heal with home remedies. But more serious injuries may be required physiotherapy to help restore range of motion and strength as you heal. In severe cases, some people need surgery.

Health care providers treat cardiovascular conditions that cause calf pain — such as PAD and CVI — with a combination of medications and lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, increasing physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight.

When to see a healthcare provider

If your calf pain when walking does not improve with home remedies, see a healthcare provider. In some cases, calf pain can be a sign of a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) – a blood clot that can be potentially life-threatening if it travels to your lungs (a pulmonary embolism).

In addition to pain, symptoms of deep vein thrombosis in the calf may include:

• Aching
• Changes in skin color
• Cramps
• Swelling
• Tender to the touch
• Warm skin

If you suspect you have a blood clot, seek immediate medical attention.

Summary

Calf pain when walking can occur for various reasons. It can be improved with rest and other home remedies. A healthcare provider can treat calf pain caused by underlying medical conditions with medications and lifestyle changes. In severe cases, you may need surgery. Calf pain can also occur with potentially life-threatening blood clots – if you suspect you may have this condition, seek immediate medical attention.