Throbbing Leg Pain

A throbbing leg pain is felt anywhere in between the thigh and ankle. Sometimes, its intensity is so severe that standing for a long time or walking a small distance becomes quite difficult. It can be felt in just one leg or it may affect both the legs at the same time. This pain is bothersome at any part of the day but it is worse if you experience it in the middle of the night as it badly disrupts your sleep. When continues for a long time, it disturbs normal life and lead to stress and depression.

Causes of Throbbing Leg Pain

A throbbing leg pain is an indication that there is some problem in its structural components: bones, muscles, tendons and nerves. Some common triggers of this painful condition are as follows:

Injury: Any form of injury to the legs during sports activities or a trauma like a bad fall induces a leg pain all of a sudden. Usually, it happens because of a tear or strain in the leg muscles or fracture in bones or inflammation in the tendons. Runners often experience stabbing pain at the frontal part of the lower legs due to shin splints. This problem arises as the shinbone gets injured by the excessive force exerted upon it repetitively during strenuous physical activity. Sometimes, an old injury can give throbbing pain in the legs off and on for many years.

Varicose Veins: This occurs due to improper functioning of the valves in the veins. These valves prevent backward flow of the blood and help it to move towards the heart from the legs. When the valves fail to carry out this function properly, the blood gets accumulated inside the veins of the legs. As a result, the veins widen up and one experiences severe leg pain.

Nerve Damage: A burning leg pain accompanied by occasional numbness could be a sign of nerve damage. Diabetes and deficiency of vitamins have a damaging effect on the nerves. Smoking and heavy consumption of alcohol for a prolonged period of time may lead to such problems in the nerves that cause leg pain. Sciatic nerve pain which is induced by slipped disc in the lower back region often get extended to the legs.

Circulation Problems: Deep vein thrombosis is a circulation problem which is characterized by formation of blood clots inside the deep veins of the legs. Usually, it affects those people who are under bed rest for a long period of time. Another cause of poor blood flow to the legs is clogging up of the arteries due to cholesterol build up. This condition is also referred to as atherosclerosis.

Other Causes: Those who are suffering from knee arthritis or hip arthritis complain about throbbing pain in legs quite frequently. It can be a symptom of a number of other underlying health condition such as cancer or tumorous growth in the leg bones, infection of leg bones or osteomyelitis, skin infection in the lower part of the leg or cellulitis and side effects of certain drugs.

Treatment for Throbbing Leg Pain

Diagnosis of a throbbing leg pain starts with physical examination of the affected part of the leg. Medical history of the patient, physical activities of the patient, timing of the pain are taken into account to identify the actual cause. Laboratory tests like blood test, X-rays, imaging tests are conducted to confirm bone fracture, tumor growth or infection. The treatment is then based upon the underlying cause. Strained leg muscles and inflamed tendons would heal up if the legs are rested properly. Those with fractured leg bone are advised to use cast to ensure its faster healing. Pain and inflammation in the leg caused by arthritis and injury are brought down with the help of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Antibiotics are prescribed to eliminate the infection that trigger leg pain. Any problem of the nervous system or circulatory system is resolved with the help of suitable medicines. A tumor growth and cancer are being treated with chemotherapy or surgery.

Recurrence of a throbbing leg pain can be prevented to some extent with a healthy lifestyle that include healthy eating and regular exercising to improve strength and flexibility of the leg muscles. Abstain from alcohol and smoking and thus you can reduce the chance of any kind of circulation or nerve related problems. Diabetic patients should keep their blood sugar levels in check to avoid any nerve damage.