Painful sensations in the legs are one of the most common reasons for visiting a surgeon. Why do my legs hurt and what to do in such a situation?
Leg pain is not always a sign of a serious illness. In many cases, the cause of discomfort in the thigh, leg or foot area is quite obvious. A long walk, training in a fitness club, or any unusual activity can lead to severe discomfort. This condition occurs in completely healthy people and is not a reason to urgently consult a doctor.
What to do if leg pain persists for a long time? Even when the cause of the discomfort seems obvious, you should not immediately discount the likelihood of developing a serious pathology. It is possible that an ordinary walk provoked an exacerbation of joint disease, and aerobic exercise led to injury. If your leg hurts too much and home measures do not help, you should definitely see a doctor.
There are many diseases that cause leg pain. The severity of pain can vary greatly, from severe attacks to mild tingling and numbness in the legs. Such symptoms may be associated with pathological processes in the muscles, ligaments, joints, nerves or blood vessels. Knowing the main signs of each disease, you can recognize the problem in time and contact a specialist for detailed advice.
Possible causes of leg pain:
venous insufficiency; vascular atherosclerosis; damage to peripheral nerves; diseases of the spine; joint diseases; bone damage; muscle pathology; systemic diseases; flat feet; injuries.
Let's take a closer look at each of the causes of pain in the legs.
Vein diseases are at the top of the list of causes that can cause pain and discomfort in the legs. We are talking about varicose veins of the lower extremities. In this condition, normal blood flow is disrupted, followed by severe pain in the legs. If the disease is not treated, it can become severe, even leading to the development of thrombophlebitis. The most dangerous complication of varicose veins is considered to be pulmonary embolism - a deadly condition in which the blood vessels of the lungs are blocked by a detached blood clot.
Varicose veins affect the veins in the lower leg and thigh. The disease develops gradually over many years. Middle-aged women are more often affected. Characterized by aching pain in the legs, intensifying in the evening. If your legs tingle after a long walk and visibly swell, this may also be one of the manifestations of venous insufficiency.
If severe swelling of the lower leg occurs, call an ambulance immediately.
Arterial disease is another cause of discomfort in the lower extremities. In the case of atherosclerosis, the legs buzz and ache quite strongly, which ultimately becomes a reason for a visit to the doctor. Unpleasant sensations can be localized in the thigh or lower leg area on one or both sides. Convulsions may occur. A characteristic symptom of atherosclerosis is a constant feeling of cold in the feet, regardless of the weather.
If pain in the leg occurs from time to time in the form of short attacks and goes away spontaneously, the cause should be sought in diseases of the nervous system. In particular, shooting unilateral pain in the hip area may be associated with pinching of the sciatic nerve. The problem often occurs in pregnant women, as well as in people suffering from osteochondrosis.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine itself can cause discomfort. Aching pain in the legs can spread over the entire surface of the lower limb, radiating to the thigh, lower leg or knee. At the same time, there may not be any unpleasant sensations directly at the site of the disease, which greatly complicates the diagnosis. The attack is well relieved by intramuscular administration of anti-inflammatory drugs.
Aching legs may be a sign of damage to one of the joints of the lower extremities. With inflammation of the hip joint, all sensations will be localized in the thigh area, while aching pain in the knee may indicate the development of gonarthrosis. If your feet buzz and ache when walking, the small joints of the foot may be affected. Pain around the joints can also be associated with microtrauma of the tendons and adjacent tissue.
Osteomyelitis is a serious purulent disease of bone tissue. With this pathology, sudden and very severe pain occurs in the legs. The disease often occurs after fractures or ordinary bruises, when the integrity of the skin is damaged. Characterized by a noticeable deterioration in general condition and high body temperature. Without adequate treatment, osteomyelitis can lead to disability or death.
Inflammation of the muscles surrounding bones and joints is called myositis. The problem often occurs after an infectious disease. With myositis, the legs hurt and ache very much. Unpleasant sensations intensify when walking and any active movements, after which they usually subside. Characterized by a noticeable limitation of movements up to complete immobility.
Autoimmune damage to joints and muscles is another possible cause of leg pain. Such diseases are often inherited. With any autoimmune pathology, the body’s own cells are destroyed by active antibodies, which leads to the appearance of all the symptoms of the disease. Characterized by a long course of the disease with episodes of exacerbation and remission. With adequate therapy, the patient can lead a normal lifestyle without restrictions.
Changes in the arch of the foot (longitudinal or transverse) deserve special attention. The disease develops in childhood and causes a lot of anxiety for the child and his parents. With flat feet, the legs ache quite severely, so that any movement becomes difficult. To treat the disease, massage and therapeutic exercises are used. Wearing special orthopedic shoes has a good effect. In some cases, surgical correction of the pathology is possible.
What to do if pain in your legs appears after a bruise, fall or blow? In this case, there is no need to look for other causes of unpleasant sensations. Any injury, even one suffered in the distant past, can cause severe or moderate pain. If the damage is serious enough, you should go to the emergency room.
A sedentary lifestyle, sedentary or standing work can cause impaired blood flow in the lower extremities. Brief convulsions may occur. If your leg hurts after being in one position for a long time, you need to change the type of activity more often. Walking, gymnastics or massage will help relieve the condition.
What to do if your leg hurts? Any discomfort in the thigh, leg or foot area is a reason to visit a doctor. At the appointment, the doctor will be able to detect the main causes of the disease and begin treatment in accordance with the data received.
Recommended examinations for leg pain:
Ultrasound of joints, muscles, blood vessels; radiography; computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging; electromyography.
The choice of treatment method will depend on the identified disease. In some cases, it is possible to manage with conservative therapy (medicines, physical therapy, exercise therapy, massage). In other situations, surgical treatment may be required. The attending physician will be able to make exact recommendations after a complete examination of the patient.
The most innocent pain in the legs arises from simple fatigue. It passes without a trace by itself, and we will not take it into account. Let's talk about more serious things.
This is an inflammation of the inner lining of the arteries.
Symptoms. Acute pain and numbness in the legs occurs when walking after the first 50–100 steps. A short rest and the symptoms go away, only to return after two dozen steps. Therefore, a person is forced to periodically make stops along the way. Pain in the foot or calf can bother you even when you are lying down, but if you lower your leg down, the discomfort decreases.
What to do. Quit smoking (nicotine is the main risk factor for vascular ischemia) and consult a vascular surgeon. The doctor will prescribe a set of tests: MRI, angiography, vascular ultrasound, various blood tests (including for nonspecific inflammatory factors). In case of severe sudden pain, it is better to call an ambulance - this may be a sign of blockage of a large artery. In this case, there are only a few hours during which the leg can be saved. The disease is treated conservatively and surgically (vascular plastic surgery is used).
Symptoms. Calf-squeezing pain and cramps intensify when walking, running, climbing stairs and can disturb you at night. Cold feet both in winter and summer. Absence of clear pulsation on the big toe. In men, loss of hair on the toes and problems with potency.
What to do. Quit smoking and see a vascular surgeon. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance contrast angiography are used for diagnosis. Timely treatment will protect against gangrene and amputation.
Symptoms. Acute “twisting” pain in the joint area when walking or standing for a long time; the joints themselves become deformed and begin to “click.” The pain intensifies when the weather changes. Pain, swelling, redness in the joint area.
What to do. Visit a rheumatologist as soon as possible, take an x-ray of the joints and take a general clinical blood test. A diagnostic and at the same time a therapeutic method is arthroscopy. Treatment is only comprehensive, so in addition to taking medications, you will need special orthopedic devices, physiotherapy, diet, exercise therapy, etc.
What to do. Ultrasound of the pelvic organs.
Symptoms. In the calf muscles there is a constant throbbing pain, often turning into a burning sensation. Redness and swelling, painful compactions along the veins.
What to do. Immediately go to a vascular surgeon. Do an angioscan to evaluate the veins along their entire length, determine the degree of their “blockage,” and identify the threat of a blood clot. Take a blood test for nonspecific inflammatory factors. Most patients can be treated on an outpatient basis under the supervision of a physician.
Symptoms. Severe pain when walking.
What to do. Wear special orthopedic devices - orthoses. They allow the injured limb to move and the muscles to remain toned, but at the same time they take on part of the load.
Symptoms. Sharp, sudden pain in the heel, usually occurs while walking or running. Often the only cure for heel pain is time, and while you wait for relief, try swimming and cycling.
What to do. Waiting is exactly the case when time heals. Lose weight: excess weight is a risk factor. Contact an orthopedist and get an x-ray. For treatment, anti-inflammatory drugs, special transverse massage and laser therapy, orthopedic insoles and heel pads are used.
Symptoms. Cramps occur in the legs (especially at night), swelling, weakness and pain, the skin on the legs becomes dry, peeling and itching appear. Often the legs become “numb”, they experience crawling and tingling sensations.
What to do. Donate blood for sugar.
Symptoms. Leg cramps and severe pain in the calves are some of the manifestations of calcium deficiency. The problem is more typical for women over 40 years of age. Blue-eyed blondes are at particular risk.
What to do. Do a painless test - densitometry (measurement of the level and density of bone tissue in the body). If a deficiency is detected, the doctor will prescribe special calcium supplements.
Symptoms. Pain in the thigh muscles is jerking, pulling or cutting in nature. It can intensify during physical overload, in damp or cold weather.
What to do. See a neurologist. Anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as pain-relieving ointments and gels are used for treatment.
Symptoms. Sharp throbbing pain in the big toe at any time of the day or night, regardless of the load. The thumb is swollen, red, hot and very sensitive.
What to do. To make a diagnosis, a simple examination by a rheumatologist and a blood test from a vein is sufficient. Gout is treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and uric acid inhibitors. At the initial stage of the disease, it is enough to simply change your diet: limit alcohol, meat and fish dishes, rich broths, spicy snacks and seasonings, mushrooms, legumes, tomatoes, spinach, coffee, cocoa, chocolate.
Symptoms. The nagging unpleasant pain intensifies towards the end of the working day. My legs “hum” so much that I want to lie down and throw them higher.
What to do. Wear compression stockings. It will relieve pain and temporarily slow down the progression of the disease. But this does not solve the problem. Therefore, at the first alarming symptoms, you need to go to a vascular surgeon and do an ultrasound scan of the veins (Doppler sonography). The doctor will prescribe further treatment. In the early stages, the disease is treated conservatively: with the injection method of sclerotherapy.
Symptoms. Shooting pain in the legs can be bothersome even at rest, but it intensifies with increased load and sudden movements. However, rest does not lead to relief. Pain along the back or side of the leg from the heel to the buttock is a sign of inflammation of the sciatic nerve (sciatica).
What to do. Contact a neurologist or vertebrologist (spine specialist). An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) can help detect a strangulated intervertebral hernia. What treatment to choose - conservative or surgical - is decided by the doctor after analyzing the data.