Anywhere in the leg, pain or discomfort might range from a subtle aching to a sharp stabbing feeling. The majority of leg discomfort is caused by overuse or small injuries.
The soreness usually goes away quickly and can be relieved with home treatments.
Some Leg Health Problems May Cause Serious Illness?
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In rare situations, though, the discomfort may be caused by a significant medical problem. A doctor should be consulted for severe or chronic leg discomfort.
Getting an accurate diagnosis and treatment for any underlying problems as soon as possible may prevent the pain from worsening and improve the long-term outlook.
Some of the most frequent causes of leg pain are mild or transitory diseases that may be easily treated by a doctor.
Cramps
A muscular cramp or spasm, often known as a “Charley horse,” is a common cause of leg discomfort. A cramp is often characterized by abrupt, intense pain when the leg muscles spasm.
Tightening muscles frequently result in a noticeable, hard bump beneath the skin. In the surrounding region, there may be some redness and swelling.
Leg cramps, particularly in the calf, can be caused by muscle exhaustion and dehydration. Some medicines, such as diuretics and statins, might induce leg cramps in some persons.
Injuries
Leg discomfort is usually a symptom of an injury, such as the following:
- Muscle strain is a frequent ailment that occurs when muscle fibers break due to overstretching. It frequently affects the bigger muscles, such as the hamstrings, calves, or quadriceps.
- Tendinitis refers to tendon inflammation. Tendons are fibrous strands that connect muscles to bone. It might be difficult to move the afflicted joint when it is inflamed. Tendinitis is most commonly associated with tendons in the hamstrings or around the heel bone.
- Knee bursitis occurs when the fluid-filled sacs, known as bursae, that surround the knee joint become inflamed.
- Shin splints are a type of discomfort that occurs along the inner border of the shinbone, or tibia. Overuse can cause the muscles around the shinbone to rupture, resulting in injury.
- Stress fractures are small breaks in the leg bones, most notably the shinbone.
Medical conditions
Leg discomfort is frequently caused by certain medical problems.
- The narrowing and hardening of arteries caused by a buildup of fat as well as cholesterol is known as atherosclerosis. The blood channels that transport oxygen-rich blood throughout your body are known as arteries. When there is a blockage, blood flow to various regions of the body is reduced. Leg discomfort, particularly in the calves, might occur from a lack of oxygen to the tissues in the leg.
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is caused by the formation of a blood clot in a vein deep within the body. A solid clump of blood is referred to as a blood clot. DVTs usually develop in the lower leg during prolonged bed rest, producing swelling and cramping discomfort.
- Arthritis is an inflammatory condition that affects the joints. In the afflicted region. The disease might produce swelling, discomfort, and redness. It frequently affects the knees and hips.
- Gout is a kind of arthritis that occurs when the body’s uric acid levels get too high. It commonly causes discomfort, edoema, and redness in the feet and lower legs.
- Varicose veins are twisted and swollen veins that occur when veins become clogged with blood owing to ineffective valves. They are generally swollen or elevated, and they can be uncomfortable. They are most commonly found in the calves and ankles.
- Swelling, redness, or discomfort in the afflicted area might result from an infection in the bone or even tissues of the leg.
- Numbness, discomfort, or tingling in the leg may result from nerve injury. Diabetes causes it to develop often in the feet and lower legs.
Leg discomfort can be caused by a variety of severe illnesses and injuries. Individuals should never overlook leg discomfort that persists or is accompanied by other symptoms. This may be harmful. If someone is concerned about any leg discomfort, he or she should consult the doctor.
Stretching the muscles before and after exercise is essential for avoiding leg discomfort caused by physical activity.
It is also beneficial to consume potassium-rich foods, such as bananas and chicken, to help avoid damage to the leg muscles and tendons.
Amanda Wingfield is a certified Diabetes Management Specialist who also holds an MD in Endocrinology, with certifications from ABIM and AACE. She has a decade of experience serving thousands of patients through her independent practice and has been working in the capacity of an expert diabetes consultant for the past 4 years. Ms. Wingfield is revered by her regular readers for her in-depth research and evidence-based analysis of diabetes medications, supplements, and treatments, and her highly critical style of writing.