Leg Pain Causes

Leg pain is one of the common types of pain, only next to the headache and back pain, experienced by people in the world. Leg pain is a generalized term used to describe pain in the thigh, calf, knee joint and foot. It can be mild, severe, throbbing, etc. depending on the cause of it.

Causes of Leg Pain
Among the several causes, injury or trauma is the most important one. An injury or trauma can be caused due to a variety of reasons or accident. An injury can also occur due to improper sports or exercise activities.

Charley Horse
Charley horse is a condition that occurs when a person experiences sudden muscle spasms and muscle pain in the thigh or calf. Spasms occur when the muscles contract suddenly due to some reason. Sports activities like running, swimming, etc. are the common reasons for the occurrence of this condition in people.

Achilles Tendon Rupture
The Achilles tendon is a fibrous cord that connects the calf muscles to the heel. Achilles tendon rupture occurs due to injury or over stretching during sports activities. Achilles tendon rupture is one of the most significant cause.

Herniated Disc
Herniated disc is another major cause of leg and back pain. This occurs when the disc, located between two consecutive vertebrae, gets ruptured or dislocated. Aging and injury are the prominent causes of herniated or ruptured disc.

Sciatica
Sciatica is the condition that occurs due to compression of the sciatic nerve because of disc herniation or injury. Sciatica gives rise to sharp pain in leg. However, this is a distinct type of pain that results from the back and runs through the thigh to the leg.

Arthritis
Arthritis is the condition that occurs due to degeneration or damage to the joints. This condition is usually seen in people above 40 years of age. Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are the two types of arthritis. Arthritis in the knee causes leg and knee pain, along with inflammation and swelling in joints.

Apart from those mentioned above, Achilles tendinitis, bone cancer, fibromyalgia, gout, bursitis, muscle cramp, peripheral neuropathy, shin splints, fractures and varicose veins, etc. are the other lower and upper leg pain causes. If one experiences severe or throbbing pain that lasts for more than one day, he/she should consult the doctor immediately.

Leg Pain Treatment
The doctor will advice physical examination, X-ray and MRI in order to diagnose the exact underlying cause of leg pain. Charley horse can be treated with the help of leg exercises like stretching. On the other hand, sometimes, it is found that spasms occur due to dehydration. In this case, water and electrolytic salts are given to the patients to overcome dehydration. Achilles tendon rupture, in most of the cases, can be treated by surgery. Herniated disc can be treated with the help of physical therapy, medications and surgery. Sciatica is also treated with the help of these treatment methods. As the exact cause of arthritis is unknown, it is difficult to find a cure for it. However, there are several anti-inflammatory medications that can be acquired with prescription and they help in relieving pain.

Nearly all the above mentioned causes can be treated if proper and timely treatment is undertaken. Therefore, it is advised not to ignore leg pain, but, heed to it as early as possible by consulting a doctor. Take care!