Question
Hello.  I am a 29-year-old woman who has been experiencing calf pain/aching at rest only in my left calf.  It started about 6 months ago, for no particular reason, and I'm not athletic and only do mild exercise (walking only).  The pain is mild--about a 1 on a 1 to 10 scale, and it comes and goes and is occasional (it just last a few seconds when it comes on) but this has been going on for 6 months now.  The pain is on the back and inner side of my left calf only.  

Sometimes my calf is tender as well in places.  Sometimes I feel the calf muscle spasm at times and it feels very tight a lot.  I went to a cardiologist b/c I was concerned that maybe it was a blood clot but he didn't think so.

I am 5'5'' and 115 pounds.  Low cholesterol and normal bloodwork.

I really don't know what to make of this since the pain is only at rest and there was no trauma.  I'm concerned it's something horrible.

Thanks.

Answer
Dear Kim,

I would not be too worried about this problem, minor muscular twitches, spasms etc...are often experienced that are not significant.  With your age, weight, and blood work, I wouldn't be concerned about any vascular issues either.  The only thing that may pre-dispose you to blood clots would be if you are taking oral contraceptives or utilizing an intra-uterine form of hormonal contraceptives.  Otherwise, you do not fit the profile at all!

Some possibilities to think about:  electrolyte imbalance, if you are not getting enough sodium, calcium, potassium, chloride, this can actually cause cramping symptoms and muscle twitching.  Diet:  some vitamin deficiencies can cause very subtle symptoms such as muscular complaints or pain, make sure that you diet includes plenty of fruits, vegetable and lean meats, stay away from diet drinks which actually contain neurotoxins...they can affect motor pathways in the body.  Lastly, this could easily be explained due to poor muscle conditioning and function.  Active stretching protocols, increased exercise and massage therapy can help to increase blood flow to the musculature which will increase the nutritional distribution and help to pull any cellular debris out of the cells.

If the problem continues, or if it gets worse, you can always get an ultrasound or MRI of the calf muscle to rule out any possible tumor formation, but again this is a remote possibility.

Respectfully,
Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman
www.suncoasthealthcare.net