Calf cramp - why still hurting?

Bufta217
Bufta217 Posts: 17
in Fitness and Exercise
So I went for a pretty easy 40min bike ride on Sunday evening. 5 mins from home get really painful cramp in my left calf, fall off my bike onto the wet dirty pavement of Brighton beach, involuntarily screaming and attracting unwanted attention from passers-by. Super embarrassing :embarassed:

It was the most painful cramp I’ve ever had. After a few minutes of leg rubbing and convincing strangers that I wasn’t dying, I managed to hobble home. I stretched, iced then heat packed, ate a banana, but it still hurts today – I’m still hobbling!

I’ve done some internet snooping but there is very little out there. Is there anything I can do to make it get better faster? Does anyone know long these things take to recover?

Help please! :flowerforyou:

Replies

  • KatnissandRue
    KatnissandRue Posts: 2
    I used to have that, and it was severe potassium deficiency. Eating a banana might not be enough--you might need a supplement and/or a blood test to check. You might also need to make sure you are thoroughly stretching before and after you work out.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,029 Member
    Are you sure it was just a cramp? Strains can happen too which are actual tears in the the muscle.


    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • Emtabo01
    Emtabo01 Posts: 672
    I find magnesium supplements help my leg cramps, I get horrible ones in the middle of the night usually. I'll take 500mg at night for a week or so, then 250mg for a week then stop until they start up again, repeat.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    A really severe cramp like you described can leave you sore the same as you'd feel after a hard workout. And like Niner said, a strain can feel about the same way. Either way, I'd give it some rest and see if the pain subsides in a day or two. If the pain continues to stay at a high level, or gets worse, or if you lose function or mobility, make an appointment to see a professional

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