{"id":183,"date":"2017-07-14T03:33:34","date_gmt":"2017-07-14T03:33:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/veryhealthy.life\/?p=183"},"modified":"2021-07-09T14:16:12","modified_gmt":"2021-07-09T14:16:12","slug":"20-causes-leg-pain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/veryhealthy.life\/20-causes-leg-pain\/","title":{"rendered":"20 Causes of Leg Pain"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Leg pain is one of those particularly irritating types of pain. Of course, no one enjoys pain of any kind \u2013 but the fact is that some forms of pain tend to get in the way more than others. Headaches and backpain \u2013 I\u2019m looking at you!<\/p>\n

The issue with leg pain you see, is that you need to place weight on your legs whenever you move around. If you\u2019re walking somewhere, then you need to put weight on your feet. This therefore means that having pain in your legs is going to instantly make it more difficult to walk, run, jump\u2026 to go to the shops, to exercise and much more. The rest of the time, leg pain can make it uncomfortable to sit or even to get to sleep.<\/p>\n

And what doesn\u2019t help matters is that there are so many potential causes of leg pain. Leg pain can be caused by direct trauma, by injury or by a range of different health complaints.<\/p>\n

In conclusion: leg pain sucks.<\/p>\n

In this post, we\u2019re going to look at 20 possible causes of your leg pain. In doing so, you will hopefully be able to find ways to treat the discomfort and therefore get your limb fully operational again in no time. Read on then and let\u2019s take a look at those different causes.<\/p>\n

1. \u00a0Impact<\/h3>\n

Let\u2019s start with the most obvious cause of leg pain: direct trauma. That is to say that if you have banged or scraped your leg in any way, then you are likely to experience some discomfort and this will likely be accompanied by a bruise and\/or some swelling<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This is a fairly easy potential issue to narrow down because you\u2019ll usually remember having caused the trauma. If there\u2019s a bruise and soreness that you don\u2019t remember causing, then it\u2019s possible that the pain is caused by something you did in the night \u2013 or potentially that you have an issue with blood clotting which is causing internal bleeding.<\/p>\n

\"\"2. \u00a0Shin Splints<\/h3>\n

Shin splints<\/a> are a problem that affects a large number of people who run or play sports. The issue is that this involves repeated impact on the limbs, which in turn can stat to cause them to become sore and painful.<\/p>\n

Usually this is caused by damage to the muscle which occurs from the repeated impact. It becomes more common if you also struggle with flat feet or if you have an outward rotation of your foot.<\/p>\n

The solution is rest in order to give your shins time to recover. If the problem persists, then get your gait measured and consider switching to supportive shoes.<\/p>\n

\"\"3. \u00a0Growth Spurts<\/h3>\n

For those that are 25 or younger, it is possible that the pain is caused by growth. It\u2019s more common in those under 20 but actually you can continue growing to 25 or even older depending on when precisely your growth plates close over.<\/p>\n

This causes stretches at the points of the soft growth plates which can be uncomfortable and especially at night. Consider using a warm compress<\/a> to help ease the pain.<\/p>\n

\"\"4. \u00a0DOMS<\/h3>\n

Have you just engaged in a heavy workout? If so, then you may be experiencing DOMS. DOMS is \u2018Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness\u2019 and many enthusiastic gym-goers actually consider it a desirable sign that you\u2019ve had a good workout!<\/p>\n

DOMS causes discomfort because you have created microtears in the muscle fiber and because you have caused metabolic stress through the production of growth hormone and adrenaline<\/a> and by pooling blood in the affected area.<\/p>\n

Surprisingly, the best cure for DOMS is reportedly to actually use the muscle again. So if you\u2019re in pain after a series of squats, then the best thing you can potentially do is\u2026 more squats!<\/p>\n

\"\"5. \u00a0Stress Fracture<\/h3>\n

A stress fracture<\/a> is essentially a type of broken bone that is very easy to miss. We generally think of a broken bone as being something incredibly obvious \u2013 perhaps we imagine our leg hanging half off and being visibly broken in two.<\/p>\n

But in reality, broken bone is often much less noticeable and might take the form of a simple hairline crack. In this case, you can actually go a long time without noticing it and only real experience a very slight discomfort when putting pressure on it or using it. Again, the best option here is to speak with your GP who might be able to suggest the cause.<\/p>\n

\"\"6. \u00a0Runner\u2019s Knee<\/h3>\n

Another potential athletic cause is runner\u2019s knee<\/a>. Runner\u2019s knee is a condition that causes the knee to feel painful particularly when taking particular routes up and down hills or the stairs. The term doesn\u2019t so much describe a condition however as much as it describes a collection of symptoms with a range of different causes.<\/p>\n

In short, the knee cap is no longer tracking correctly over the knee which can cause it to become painful at times.<\/p>\n

The solution is to speak with your doctor, who will likely recommend a course of physiotherapy designed to strengthen the knee and to help it moves correctly.<\/p>\n

\"\"7. \u00a0Fibromyalgia<\/h3>\n

Pain can be caused in the brain as much as it can be caused in the body. That\u2019s because pain is actually the result of certain receptors (called \u2018noociceptors\u2019) being activated in our brains.<\/p>\n

Fibromyalgia<\/a> is a condition that can cause extreme tiredness and depression which might coincide with serious pain and discomfort. This is generally caused by an enhanced sensitivity which means that all kinds of pain are felt much strongly and even mild sensation may become painful.<\/p>\n

There are medications that can help to manage fibromyalgia, so again the best option is to go and speak with your doctor.<\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"8. \u00a0RLS<\/h3>\n

Perhaps you consider your leg pain to be less \u2018pain\u2019 and more a kind of shifting discomfort. Maybe you just can\u2019t quite get comfortable or maybe you find it generally hard to relax. This could be RLS \u2013 which stands for \u2018restless leg syndrome<\/a>\u2019.<\/p>\n

Generally, this condition causes a feeling of restlessness and discomfort in the legs. Those that suffer with the condition describe how it isn\u2019t pain exactly but rather a kind of urge to move that can only be alleviated by rocking the legs from side to side or perhaps by \u2018bobbing\u2019 them up and down.<\/p>\n

Either way, this is thought to be linked with low amounts of dopamine. It is perhaps as frustrating for those around the sufferer as it is for the sufferer themselves!<\/p>\n

\"\"9. \u00a0Cramp<\/h3>\n

Cramp<\/a> is something many of us are familiar with and of course this is another cause for leg pain. This causes seizing up of the muscles which is related to an imbalance of electrolytes.<\/p>\n

Again, it tends to be most common at night when we are stationary and when we might be dehydrated having gone long periods without a glass of water.<\/p>\n

The solution is to drink more and to try and get more potassium in your diet (try a banana). You can also try relaxing the muscles more, perhaps with a warm glass of milk before bed.<\/p>\n

\"\"10. \u00a0Muscle Imbalance<\/h3>\n

Something that many people might not suspect right away, is that their leg pain could be caused by an imbalance in their muscles<\/a>. That is to say that you might have some muscles in your legs that are stronger than others \u2013 or even some muscles in your back or other areas that are stronger than others.<\/p>\n

This then creates an uneven pressure on the joints with one side being pulled more tightly than the other which can cause locking joints of general discomfort.<\/p>\n

The solution of course is to train the muscles more evenly and\/or to try gently stretching the muscles to make them feel less tight.<\/p>\n

\"\"11. \u00a0Muscle Tear<\/h3>\n

Along with direct traumas, there are many other ways you can also hurt your leg \u2013 and especially if you are engaging in physical activity. One of the most common issues is muscle tear.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve been playing sports for instance, then you might have overstretched the muscle, or overloaded it and thereby caused a massive rip in the muscle fibers<\/a> that goes beyond what you normally caused through progressive overload. This can then cause a physical gap in the muscle which may be very powerful and which can make movement difficult.<\/p>\n

The best solution for these types of injury is \u2018RICE\u2019. That stands for \u2018Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation\u2019.<\/p>\n

\"\"12. \u00a0RSI<\/h3>\n

RSI is repetitive strain injury<\/a>, which can occur through any form of repeated motion performed over and over again. This can eventually cause the cartilage to wear down and also lead to inflammation and damage to the bones.<\/p>\n

This is a long term problem that can lead to chronic pain. It is most common in the hands and wrists if you use them every day at work but it can also affect other joints and especially if you are a professional athlete.<\/p>\n

\"\"13. \u00a0Tendonitis<\/h3>\n

Tendonitis<\/a> causes pain and swelling in the tendons and very often affects the tendons in limbs.<\/p>\n

Tendonitis can be painful to the touch and may even appear to have no specific cause. Speak with your GP and they might recommend a corticosteroid injection into the area to reduce swelling and pain.<\/p>\n

Otherwise, you can often treat the problem with rest and perhaps some massage.<\/p>\n

\"\"14. \u00a0Sprain<\/h3>\n

A sprain<\/a> describes damage that occurs to the ligaments as a result of over stretching. This might be the result of sport, or it might be the result of regular activity. It can also occur if you should slip or twist an ankle on a curb.<\/p>\n

There won\u2019t normally be any need for a cast or a splint but you may wish to get some physiotherapy. This can be useful to prevent the sprain from coming back, as once you have sprained a joint once, it is always more likely to happen again.<\/p>\n

\"\"15. \u00a0Arthritis<\/h3>\n

There are many different types of arthritis<\/a> and any of them can potentially cause pain in the legs.<\/p>\n

Arthritis is the result of inflammation which may be due to misuse of the joint, long-term wear or tear or an autoimmune disorder.<\/p>\n

Either way, there is no cure for arthritis but it can usually be managed with medication and with lifestyle changes. The aim will be to reduce inflammation which can hamper movement and cause discomfort.<\/p>\n

\"\"16. \u00a0Gout<\/h3>\n

Gout<\/a> is actually a form of arthritis but one which behaves quite differently from other forms. That\u2019s because gout is caused by the build-up of uric acid in the joints, which the body is unable to dispose of as usual. This then causes the appearance of hard, painful lumps which is one of the main symptoms to look out for when trying to diagnose the condition.<\/p>\n

Gout tends to come in \u2018waves\u2019 or \u2018attacks\u2019 but certain diet changes might be able to manage the symptoms and make it more liveable. The most common place to experience gout is in the big toe, though it can strike anywhere.<\/p>\n

\"\"17. \u00a0Infection<\/h3>\n

Something to look out for and especially if you have cut yourself or have been injured in any other way, is infection. Infection can take many different forms and might be caused by a range of different bacteria<\/a>. Whatever the case, it can cause the death of tissue which results in extreme pain, swelling and discoloration.<\/p>\n

I once cut my shin in a very small way while rock climbing, which became infected with cellulitis. This caused the entire area to go dark blue and black, to swell up and to become very painful to touch. This can be treated easily with a course of antibiotics but it is important that you get treatment quickly to avoid it spreading.<\/p>\n

\"\"18. \u00a0Lower Extremity Peripheral Arterial Disease<\/h3>\n

Lower extremity peripheral arterial disease is a condition where the lining of the arteries in the legs become damaged or narrowed (atherosclerosis<\/a>). This can then reduce the blood flow around the legs which leads to pain and discomfort.<\/p>\n

This pain might be noticeably worse when engaged in physical activity, even mild activity such as climbing the stairs. Obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure all increase the likelihood of developing this condition.<\/p>\n

\"\"19. \u00a0Varicose Veins<\/h3>\n

Similar is varicose veins<\/a>. This is a form of leg pain which is felt as a dull ache. It is common after standing for long periods and is again more common if you are overweight.<\/p>\n

The most common symptom that makes it easy to diagnose though is the fact that the veins become more prominent and visible \u2013 even bulging.<\/p>\n

There are methods you can use to manage the pain and reduce the appearance, which include using support stockings to compress the leg.<\/p>\n

\"\"20. \u00a0Back Problems<\/h3>\n

Finally, there are a range of back problems that can also cause varicose veins. One of the most common is sciatica<\/a>, which is caused by pressure on or trauma to the sciatic nerve in the lower spine.<\/p>\n

This carries important signals through the body and when it becomes damaged, that can interrupt those signals resulting in discomfort and pain.<\/p>\n

Sciatica may originate in the back, but the pain will travel all the way down the leg and might be accompanied by numbness and tingling.<\/p>\n\r\n

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