Are you a runner? Or have you ever woken up at night with unbearable pain in your legs? Maybe you feel a pain in your legs, like a tightness, even when you're just standing. Many people in our country have had this experience. So, even though we all say "legs," today we'll talk about exactly what they are, how important they are to our bodies, and what causes these problems.
What exactly is this calf muscle?
Simply put, your hamstrings are the muscles on the back of your leg, below the knee. They are located behind the big bone in the front of your leg, the tibia.
Although we simply call it the "kenda," this is actually a combination of three main muscles. They are:
1. Gastrocnemius
2. Soleus
3. Plantaris
These three muscles work together to help you do many things, such as walk, run, jump, stand on your toes, and bend your ankle.
What are the benefits of muscle mass for our body?
Imagine, you're walking down the street, running after a bus, jumping up and catching a ball while playing cricket with your friends... In all of these things, these muscles propel you forward and give you speed.
Not only that:
- Balance while standing: These muscles help a lot in supporting your body weight and keeping you stable when you are standing.
- Movements: This is essential for things like rotating your ankle, bending your foot downward (like stepping on the accelerator in a car), and keeping your knee stable.
Simply put, the knee is an essential part of the balance of our entire body, just like the movements of our legs.
Let's take a closer look at the parts of the Kende.
As mentioned earlier, there are two main muscles in the glutes and one smaller one.
Gastrocnemius
This is the largest muscle that is visible to the naked eye, right under our skin, right above the knee. If you look at your leg a little bit, it's this one that looks like a ball and socket from the back. It has two heads. That is, two parts. One starts on the inside of your thigh bone (femur), and the other on the outside and comes down and connects to the Achilles tendon, which is a strong piece of tissue above your heel.
Because this muscle crosses both your knee and ankle joints, it is a little more prone to injury than the others.
Soleus
This is a broad, flat muscle that lies just below the gastrocnemius muscle above, a little deeper. It starts just below the knee, and it also comes down and attaches to the Achilles tendon itself. Because it only crosses the ankle joint, it is relatively less likely to be injured. It also helps you maintain your posture when you walk and run.
Plantaris
In addition to these two large muscles, there is another small, thin muscle that runs between them. It is called the plantaris. But the strange thing is, this is not the case for everyone. According to surveys, this muscle is not present in about 10% of people from birth. But it does not have a big impact on the functioning of the body.
The medical name for these three muscles together is triceps surae.
Why do our knees hurt? The most common reasons
There are a number of conditions that can cause neck pain. Let's look at some of the most important and common ones.
| Status | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| Muscle Strain | This is the most common cause. This is when the muscle fibers are overstretched or torn. For example, if you suddenly start running too fast, or if you play a sport that requires sudden stops or changes direction (e.g., football, volleyball, basketball, cricket), this can happen. |
| Leg Cramps | This is something many people have experienced. The muscles suddenly tighten with unbearable pain. This can happen during the day or at night. Dehydration, pregnancy, certain medications, and other medical conditions can cause this. |
| Tennis Leg | This is a specific injury to the gastrocnemius muscle at the top. It gets its name because it often occurs when the leg is suddenly extended and the foot is bent during a tennis serve. However, it is not limited to tennis; it can occur in any sport. |
| Compartment Syndrome | This is a very dangerous condition that requires emergency medical attention. After a major accident (such as a broken bone) or excessive exercise, the pressure inside the membrane surrounding the muscle increases dramatically. This can cut off blood flow and oxygen supply, causing permanent damage to the muscle. |
How common are these conditions?
One of the most common musculoskeletal injuries among athletes is a hamstring strain. In addition, hamstring strains are also very common. The risk of this increases especially with age. According to surveys, 75% of people over the age of 50 have experienced a hamstring strain at some point in their lives.
What are the signs that can identify a problem with the skin?
If there is a problem with your calf muscles, you may experience symptoms like these:
- Chest pain, a feeling of tightness or tightness. This pain can be a sharp pain that comes on suddenly, or it can be a dull ache that gradually increases.
- Limited movement. Difficulty moving, bending, or walking properly. Feeling of muscle weakness.
- A lumpy, twisted appearance. This can happen when a muscle is torn.
- Tenderness or turning blue/purple like bruises.
How do we keep our hair healthy and strong?
Most dental problems are preventable. By following these simple tips, you too can keep your teeth healthy.
- Maintain a healthy weight: As you gain weight, the extra pressure on your legs increases, which increases your risk of muscle strains. If your Body Mass Index (BMI) is over 25, talk to your doctor about a healthy weight for you.
- Stay Hydrated: Drinking enough water and fluids throughout the day can go a long way in preventing things like dehydration.
- Warm-up & Stretch: Before exercising, do 5-10 minutes of warm-up and stretching exercises before exercising . Warm muscles are less likely to get injured.
- Be careful about the medications you take: Some medications (e.g., some cholesterol-lowering medications) can cause muscle pain or dizziness as a side effect. If you experience any of these, talk to your doctor about it.
When should I see a doctor if I have a sore throat?
A simple ache or minor pain will subside after a day or two of rest and drinking plenty of water.
However, if the pain does not subside after two or three days of rest, if it gets worse, or if the pain is so severe that you cannot walk, then definitely see your doctor.
Because sometimes leg pain can be a symptom of a more serious condition, such as a blood clot (Deep Vein Thrombosis - DVT), nerve damage, or Achilles Tendonitis.
If you have these symptoms, seek treatment immediately!
If you have one or more of the following symptoms, seek medical advice immediately or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU).
- The wound becomes swollen, red, discolored (red, purple, brown, or black), or painful .
- Numbness or loss of sensation in the arms or legs.
- Feeling so weak that you can't move your leg.
These could be signs of a serious condition, so don't ignore them.
Take-Home Message
- Your hamstring muscles are an essential part of daily activities like walking, running, and standing.
- Sprains and strains are very common, but they can be largely prevented with proper preparation and health habits.
- It is very important to warm up before exercise, drink plenty of water, and maintain a healthy weight.
- Never ignore a sore throat that doesn't go away in a few days, gets worse, or is accompanied by other symptoms such as swelling or discoloration. See your doctor immediately.
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