Hello doctor, I am a former marathon runner for about 40 years. With age and bad knees, I am restricted to walk now, but I try to walk at least four days a week for 15 minutes. Recently, when I walk for about half a mile, I am getting cramps in my right calf muscles. I am fine on the exercise bike even for an hour, but I prefer to walk outside. Please help.
Hello.  I can understand your concern. I am really proud to talk to a marathon runner. I understand that walking or running is one of the most important part of your life, but with age out joints get weaker, there is a deposition of fluid in between joint spaces, cartilage which gets inflamed leading to arthritis. Normally we associate cramping with dehydration. Make sure you are drinking adequate water both pre and post-workout. However, I will advise you to just rest for a few days. Too much exercise leads to the accumulation of lactic acid in our muscles and it causes severe cramping. This commonly affects sports persons and runners like you.