Severe Leg Pain

Our legs help to keep us in up and moving condition. When there is severe leg pain, then it can badly affect our daily activities. There are three different bones in the leg: the femur, tibia and fibula. If any of these bones get injured, it results in leg pain. The health problems that contribute towards leg pain are: strain in muscles or nerves, clotting of blood, tumor growth, improper circulation of blood, dehydration, deficiency of essential minerals in body, diseases, weakness and muscle fatigue, etc.

Causes

There are several causes of severe leg pain. Some of the causes are serious and need immediate medical attention, and others are minor problems that can be treated at home itself. Following are the main factors that lead to leg pain.

Leg Cramps: Severe leg cramps occur due to muscle contraction in legs which make them taut and inflexible. Muscles of the thigh, foot and calf get this kind of cramps. Usually, it occurs during the night and disturb the sleep. Though it can happen to people of any age group, it is common in elderly and middle aged people. It happens due to dehydration, deficiency of mineral like calcium, potassium and magnesium or overuse of the muscles. Diseases like peripheral artery disease, Parkinson's disease and Addison's disease can also give leg cramps.

Varicose Veins: The function of the veins is to carry deoxygenated blood from various part of the body to the heart. The veins consist of valves that help to keep the flow of blood in one direction only. If there is some defect in the valves then the impure blood starts flowing in the wrong direction. This results in pooling of blood inside the veins which in turn swells up. This problem is referred to as varicose veins and it affects the veins of the legs. As a result, one can get severe pain in the legs. It is found mostly in women. Standing for long hours and pregnancy are the most common factors that lead to varicose veins.

Tendinitis: The muscles are attached to the bones with the help of a connective tissue called tendons. When there is swelling of the tendons near the knee joint or heel joint, it can lead to tendinitis. As a result, one may get pain at night which may aggravate as result of movements. It can be caused due to injury or overuse or degeneration of the tendons. People suffering from diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes can also get this problem.

Shin Splints: This condition gives a sharp pain in the front part of the lower legs. It is usually experienced after doing some exercises. In some severe cases, pain can be felt even when at rest. This kind of pain in both legs is more common in those who start exercising after a period of inactivity. It is commonly found in athletes. Sometimes, it could be serious.

Fracture: There are two forms of fracture in the leg bones. One is the hairline fracture in which is a minor break and the other is compound fracture which is severe where the broken bone tend to thrust out of the skin. In both these conditions, one can get severe pain. However, this pain is accompanied by swelling in the fractured region.

When severe leg pain is accompanied by swelling or reddening of the legs, and/or fever or blue or black patches appear on the leg, then you have to refer to a doctor for treatment. If you get pain frequently due to overuse, then you should take some steps for pain management. Eat foods like fresh fruits, green vegetables, milk, cheese to supply essential vitamins and minerals to the body. Drink water in order to prevent muscle contractions. Leg stretching exercises can make the leg muscles flexible. Give rest to your feet in between your work so that they do not get overworked. Frequent leg cramps at night can be relieved with massage and application of hot compression.