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Intermittent claudication, also known as vascular claudication, is a symptom that describes muscle pain on mild exertion (ache, cramp, numbness or sense of fatigue), [1] classically in the calf muscle, which occurs during exercise, such as walking, and is relieved by a short period of rest.
Claudication is a medical term usually referring to impairment in walking, or pain, discomfort, numbness, or tiredness in the legs that occurs during walking or standing and is relieved by rest. [1] The perceived level of pain from claudication can be mild to extremely severe.
These symptoms may involve only one leg, but they usually involve both. Leg pain is usually more significant than back pain in individuals who have both. [12] NC is classically distinguished by symptoms improving or worsening with certain activities and manoeuvres. Pain may occur with walking, standing, and back extension.
Prodromal symptoms are typically fever, cough, and rhinorrhea. BACM symptoms that follow are most frequently calf pain, gait complaints, and inability to walk. [2] The condition is self-limited and full restitution can be expected. In very rare cases, however, rhabdomyolysis may develop. [1]
In this latter sense, such an injury is known as dead leg. [ citation needed ] Dead legs and charley horses are two different types of injuries: A charley horse involves the muscles contracting without warning, and can last from a few seconds to a couple days.
Muscle stiffness may also be present; if muscle weakness is not also present, and cramps are more severe, the stiffness may be categorized instead as cramp fasciculation syndrome. [3] Cramp fasciculation is a variant of BFS which presents with muscle pain and exercise intolerance. [2] [4]
The gastrocnemius muscle is prone to spasms, which are painful, involuntary contractions of the muscle that may last several minutes. [5] A severe ankle dorsiflexion force may result in a Medial Gastrocnemius Strain (MGS) injury of the muscle, commonly referred to as a "torn" or "strained" calf muscle, which is acutely painful and disabling. [6]
Gentle stretching and massage, putting some pressure on the affected leg by walking or standing, or taking a warm bath or shower may help to end the cramp. [19] If the cramp is in the calf muscle, dorsiflexing the foot (lifting the toes back toward the shins) will stretch the muscle and provide almost immediate relief.