Possible calf strain/pulled muscle?

[Normalguy87]

18, Male, Healthy
So around three days ago my right calf and foot started feeling odd. In what I can only describe as the muscle feeling tense, tingling, and stiff with the foot and calf muscles feeling barely numb.
It doesn’t hurt exactly, but it makes me wanna stretch or exercise, which helps a little bit. I also noticed slight muscular spasms, like the ones you get when lacking potassium. Going off my own knowledge, I believe this to be the result of an injury, though I don’t recall any recent major leg injuries. Although, I do take daily walks. Here’s the kicker- I take roughly 28-44 minute walks on even ground at a fast pace, without stretching beforehand, while wearing flip-flops, and usually without a break. By the end my legs and feet will be aching.
I think this poor walking conduct is the contributor to my leg issue. I believe this to either be a mild torn calf muscle or a strain, as I can also feel a slight swelling.  Note my thigh feels normal. I first tried treating with a heatpack, which made the numbness in my foot feel slightly worse, so I though maybe the heat was worsening the swelling, which might slow blood flow, so I tried a cold pack which helped.

Thoughts?
One thing is definitely certain: I’m going to improve how I exercise from now on.

[mike_no]

Hi Normalguy87, it seems you have an injury, it's likely to be from your poor choice of footwear for brisk walking.

First and most importantly, you need to go see a doctor instead of trying to diagnose it your self.

Refrain from exercising or walking too much at this point since recovery is going to be important. Once you have seen your doctor and start recovering, you could start with mild exercising and walks and progressively build strength to get back in your rhythm.

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

[Sarahjogs]

I agree with Paxiled - if your calf and foot are truly numb, please go see a doctor.  There is a chance it is a muscle strain and/or electrolyte imbalance, or a nerve problem, but those are also symptoms for a blood clot in your calf, and I wouldn't want to take a chance on that.

[Paxiled]

No way for anyone on here to tell you what's wrong -- no orthopedists on here.  If you truly are saying that your foot feels numb, I'd probably go see your doctor, though.  Numbness isn't the same as tight calves.  That's a circulation blockage or nerve problem.  Not sure that's what you're actually saying, though.  Walking on flip flops isn't a great idea -- you'd actually be better off walking barefoot if you were walking on something soft and natural instead of pavement.  Flip flops aren't for anything but getting to your beach blanket.  Obviously, a lot of people do wear them and get used to them, and some are made much better than others, but the only thing holding that flat piece of material on your foot is at your toe.  You know, they flip and flop, and if you're walking any distance at all you want stability of some kind.  As I say, barefoot is more stable, as your foot is made for walking.  Warming up first might help.  Potassium is only one electrolyte -- magnesium problems can cause cramping as well.  What I would say is, if you're 18, is this truly the only exercise you get?  I'm in my sixties and I walk a couple of hours at a brisk pace.  Exercise needs to be enough to do something.  That's not to say anyone needs to exercise formally, if you walk everyone you go and ride a bicycle and keep moving all day and don't live a sedentary life you're basically getting your exercise.  Formal exercise becomes important in modern life because when we're not formally exercising we're most often sitting or lying down.  But at your very young age, if that little exercise is causing this, you are pretty out of shape.  It's good to mix up what you do -- cardio with resistance.  Doing the same thing can lead to problems.  And at your age, don't you play?  Like soccer or basketball or something?  As for stretching, it feels really good and it's always been done, but research doesn't show much benefit.  Hard to square what people have always found to help with what studies are showing.  But warming up is something everyone supports.  Peace.

[Paxiled]

I should really have said, I'm not encouraging you to walk barefoot.  That only works for people who have kept running and walking barefoot, if you've not done that and have been wearing shoes your foot muscles aren't there.  I really meant to get a good pair of shoes since for most of us everything pretty much has been paved.