Complications
A particularly serious complication of calf pain can arise if the cause is a venous vascular disease, such as congestion caused by deep vein thrombosis of the leg. When the thrombus detaches from its original site and is flushed with the blood flow to the heart, it can enter the lung through the right heart and close the small pulmonary vessels. This clinical picture is known as pulmonary embolism.
This results in a reduced supply of oxygen and nutrients, which can lead to a lung infarction. If larger vessels are blocked, congestion develops, which leads back to the heart and places a heavy burden on it. This also leads to a reduced supply of oxygen and nutrients to the heart, which can result in heart failure.
In the worst case, a pulmonary embolism can lead to death. Another dangerous complication can arise from a slipped disc in the lumbar spine as a cause of calf pain. Here, chronic damage to nerves and vessels can occur as well as instability of the spine and in the worst case, depending on the emergence of the disc, injuries to the spinal cord can also occur.In general, chronic calf pain significantly impairs the quality of life and prevents the affected person from participating in many activities. For this reason, a doctor should always be consulted in the case of prolonged and unexplained complaints.
The prophylactic measures
To prevent calf pain, it is important to find a balanced amount of exercise. Both excessive and one-sided physical strain as well as too little activity and frequent static positions such as sitting for long periods should be avoided. It is also important to do a warm-up program before exercise so that the muscles can slowly become active.
As an alternative to the one-sided physical strain of jogging, sports such as yoga or Pilates can help strengthen the muscles and promote health. They can also correct an existing bad posture. In the case of significant physical posture problems, additional physiotherapeutic measures should be taken.
A correction of the malposition by orthopedic measures should also be considered. A balanced diet as well as abstaining from alcohol and cigarettes can help against disturbances in the electrolyte balance, which can lead to short-term and acute calf cramps. These factors are also important to prevent the development or worsening of vascular diseases.
Metabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus or high blood pressure should also be regularly monitored and therapeutically well adjusted to minimize complications due to vascular disease. A BMI within the normal range helps to prevent overloading of the joints. In addition, overweight is often accompanied by elevated blood lipid values. However, these should be kept as low as possible to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and prevent arterial occlusive disease.
