Back of calfs hurt

sharmaine

I have OA in both knees and lately I've found that the back of my calfs ache after sitting down and even after a night of sleep. Doesn't anyone else experience this? I'm finding it really tricky getting socks and shoes on. My husband helps me when he's not at work. I'm afraid to bend these days. With the warmer weather I've been wearing flat sandals that don't need fastening! Getting into the legs of my trousers is hard too.

When (I hope one is done this year) I have my knees replaced I'm going to really appreciate them.

Sharmaine

vonski

Hi Sharmaine

Might be a daft question but could it be like a dehydration pain? I know that can come on in your calfs. If it doesn't get any better I'd get it checked out by your Dr.

Love
Vonski x

mistywillow

sharmaine wrote:

I have OA in both knees and lately I've found that the back of my calfs ache after sitting down and even after a night of sleep. Doesn't anyone else experience this? I'm finding it really tricky getting socks and shoes on. My husband helps me when he's not at work. I'm afraid to bend these days. With the warmer weather I've been wearing flat sandals that don't need fastening! Getting into the legs of my trousers is hard too.

When (I hope one is done this year) I have my knees replaced I'm going to really appreciate them.

Sharmaine

Hi Sharmaine
When you have pain somewhere it often means you move in an abnormal way and your muscles and joints dont like it. Have you tried doing some simple exercises and stretches for your calf muscles. eg lying on your bed with your legs resting straight and then circle your feet first a few times one way and then the other.
After you have done this, point your toes the move them back in the opposite direction until you feel a slight stretch in your calves. Doing this whenever you are lying on the bed will exercise your calves, increase their blood supply and maybe help the aching.
Also dont lie in bed or sit with your legs crossed as this restricts circulationa and can cause aching.
Finally you can get aids to help with 'sock putting on' etc.
Hope this helps
Gillx

debatat

Is it the bottom of your calves or the tops? If its the bottom it could be your achilles tendon. I have had tendonitis in both legs and it hurts at the back and radiates up my calves. It especially hurts at night and I find I need to move and stretch them constantly. Maybe you could get it checked?

Deb

lindah

Might sound daft but it couldn't be the flat sandals could it. When I wear really flat shoes I suffer a lot of calf pain and cramps in my calves at night.
Linda H 8)

sharmaine

Hi everyone

Thanks for replying.

I can't straighten one of my legs at all - the knee is shot and my leg is in a permanent bent position. I'll try doing the stretches and foot exercises whilst lying down. I've just bought some bedroom slippers that are raised slightly at the heel. I was plodding about in flip flops for a couple of days and that has probably not helped. My slip on sandals are not absolutely flat they're also raised at the heels about 1.5 inches.

It's not too bad today - probably because I'm having a restful day!

Thanks again.
Sharmaine

sharmaine

Hi Deb
It's generally at the bottom of my calfs. One knee is worse than the other and I've had to compensate for this when I'm walking or getting up from a sitting position. When I'm tired or just done too much my calves hurt. On bad occasions even the soles of my feet hurt. I can sit down ok but getting up is always a struggle.

debatat wrote:

Is it the bottom of your calves or the tops? If its the bottom it could be your achilles tendon. I have had tendonitis in both legs and it hurts at the back and radiates up my calves. It especially hurts at night and I find I need to move and stretch them constantly. Maybe you could get it checked?

Deb