Getting calf pain probably is the most common muscle strain that could happen to anyone. Although calf muscles pain are most highlighted when an NBA star or tennis pro gets in the injured list, a regular person or a sports buff can get it as well. One should identify various calf pain causes to understand how it can be medicated, as well as knowing calf pain symptoms apart from other muscle ailments. In the United States alone, calf pain attributes to a large portion of visits to the doctor, with more than half of these injuries happening to active young adults, mostly men.

Calf pain occurs when the muscles are stretched beyond limits due to sudden jerking or over-exertion, the legs being overly-vulnerable because they are the most used for any activity, whether daily routines or sports. It is important to know different muscle strains to single-out the real source of calf pain, and then apply the calf pain treatment fitted. So what are calf muscle symptoms one should watch out for? When there’s calf muscle pain and tenderness

after playing a game or rigorous walking or running. Take note also when there is local muscle swelling and discoloration after an accident, as most likely the calf muscle pain needs serious medical attention. Other patients report decrease in muscle strength and difficulty walking, and then the doctor diagnoses such calf pain symptoms if it needs simple treatment or serious medication.

Calf muscle or gastrocnemius strain occurs from sudden upward bends and when the calf muscle is stretched, causing minor tearing in the muscular fiber. On the other hand, plantaris strain causes more calf muscle pain as it comes with slightly larger muscle tearing in the knee area. Hamstring strain or what is commonly known as pulled hamstring is when these long muscles extending down the back part of the thigh are injured. Most of the time, hamstrings are pulled during running, kicking or jumping. Another calf pain source would be quadriceps strain wherein the large group of muscles in the thigh area are torn, rendering slight to severe pain in that leg region.

Doctors have devised a classification of calf pains and other muscle strains into three different grades, with Grade 1 being the mildest form, and Grade 3 being the most severe case of muscle fiber damage. While muscle strength is normal with Grade 1 as only a few calf muscle fibers are stretched or torn, there is noticeable calf muscle swelling with Grade 2, coupled by minor loss of strength in the calf area. For Grade 3, calf muscles pain become greater as fibers are torn. This particular calf pain causes the leg without strength.

For calf pain treatment, most doctors would recommend the simple resting of injured muscle and applying ice to the injured area to reduce calf muscle swelling. Also, compression with elastic bandage and elevating the injured leg would be advised. In addition, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs would be prescribed by doctors to alleviate calf pain swelling and the throbbing ache in the area.

It is wise to call the doctor promptly if you feel a “pop” in your leg when the calf injury took place, especially if followed by severe calf pain, discoloration and calf pain swelling. Most likely, when this takes place the calf pain treatment cannot be done at home.