Calf

The calf is a muscle of the leg and is located in the rear portion of the lower limb. The calf muscle provides plantar flexion to the leg at the ankle joint and flexes the leg. The calf muscle plays a major role in actions such as running, walking, and jumping. It consists of two major muscles – the gastrocnemius, and soleus muscles. The calf muscle is attached to the calcaneus via the Achilles tendon along with the soleus muscle. Both the gastrocnemius and the soleus muscles are seen as bulges on the lower limb below the knee joint. The gastrocnemius attaches itself to the calcaneus and the soleus muscle attaches itself to the tibia and fibula. The calf muscle is prone to muscle tears, injury, cramps, strain, Achilles tendon rupture, deep vein thrombosis, varicose veins, compartment syndrome, intermittent claudication, and edema. People with diabetes are prone to damage of the blood vessels and damage of the nerves. Damage of the nerves leads to a condition called neuropathy. People with diabetes also have a comorbidity in the form of high cholesterol. High cholesterol levels in blood vessels lead to a buildup of plaque leading to numerous complications including atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and peripheral artery disease. In the case of peripheral artery disease, there is buildup of plaque in the arteries of the legs and arms. When plaque builds up in the arteries of the legs, there is pain in the legs including the calves. Though this pain is intermittent, it is accompanied by cramping and discomfort. It also leads to slow-healing wounds; however, people with peripheral diabetic neuropathy do not feel pain as the nerves are already damaged. In some cases, high blood sugar levels are also known to cause muscle fatigue and pain accompanied by cramps, especially in the calves and the hamstrings.