Edema of the lower extremities is called a complex cosmetic nuisance, indicating that there has been a malfunction in the vital functions of the organs of the human body. Edema is the accumulation of excess fluid in the tissues of the legs. The disease is not difficult to identify. You will need to apply pressure with your fingers on the lower surface of the foot when bending. If, after pressing, a depression appears that does not disappear for a long time, they speak of swelling of the lower limb. Any elderly person can experience pain and swelling in the joints of the lower extremities, in particular the feet. Women are more often affected by the disease.
The phenomenon occurs due to insufficiency of the walls of the veins in the muscles of the foot. It occurs due to genetics, after poor nutrition, lack of load on the body, when the joints in the legs, below the knees and lower back hurt. The veins become weak when bending the leg, and there is difficulty in returning blood to the heart. Blood stagnates, they constantly stretch, the tissue below the calf on the legs swells, when bending, a strong painful syndrome is felt below the knee, and a burning sensation appears. If your legs and lower back begin to swell and ache, it means that changes have appeared in the circulatory system. A disease called venous insufficiency develops, treatment should begin immediately.
Initially, pain and heaviness are felt in the foot, a burning sensation below the knees. My legs swell and hurt. It is not easy for the patient to move, the lower back hurts, the skin “lightens”, and later bluish veins form on the legs. If venous insufficiency is ignored, serious troubles arise. In particular, a disease called phlebitis, or venous thrombosis, develops. Serious diseases called hypodermitis or eczema of the veins in the legs below the knees gradually arise; there is no need to start treatment.
Magazines and the Internet describe a lot of tips and natural methods for curing swelling and pain in the legs. The best advice is to adhere to the right lifestyle so that the heel stops swelling. It is necessary to change eating habits, give up foods that increase cholesterol in a person’s blood, and avoid taking strong spices and salt.
It is recommended to do water aerobics or walk for 30 minutes throughout the day. Stop using nicotine; tobacco substances lead to the destruction of collagen, which is the main part of the walls of the vascular system in the legs. Tobacco leads to hardening of blood vessels, as a result of which the blood supply becomes extremely slow. Wearing the correct clothing is required. Tight tights, socks and shoes impair blood supply below the knees (on the foot and heel); in the evening, the legs hurt when bending and swell.
You should raise your legs up. While lying down, place several pillows under your feet. Sitting on an armchair or on a chair, you can raise your feet on a chair standing nearby. In the summer, the leg below the calf swells and the pain intensifies. During the summer heat, it is recommended to take foot baths in cold water twice a day. It is recommended to monitor excess weight; excess kilograms prevents the normal flow of blood through the vessels in the legs below the knees, in particular in the heel area of the foot.
Many people wear elastic compression stockings. The pressure exerted by the compression stocking is on the upper part of the calf, becoming weaker from the bottom to the lower back. Blood flows at an accelerated pace, helping to eliminate congestion in the legs below the knees.
A huge number of people with swelling of the legs and pain below the knees are prescribed to wear light compression stockings. Tight-fitting stockings can only be used as prescribed by a doctor. You can easily buy stockings at any pharmacy. It is useful to do special exercises two to three times a day to prevent swelling of the legs.
The diet should be supplemented with medications including microelements:
Before using medications, be sure to read the contraindications. For swelling observed on the foot, doctors recommend the use of medications:
The female half of humanity is often exposed to diseases of the vascular system of the legs. Ladies often prefer high-heeled shoes. Edema develops due to pregnancy and childbirth, which can be a serious burden on the vascular system of the pelvis, lumbar region and lower extremities. The external manifestation of small changes in the blood circulation of the leg is more noticeable in women than in men.
The presence of mesh and stars, common on a woman’s legs, is noticeable through tights. Men should listen to the frequent tiredness of their legs no less often than women, evaluate the symptoms and treat their own legs.
Common symptoms of diseases of the vascular system of the lower extremities are:
Often, swelling and pain in the legs, in particular below the calf, are not associated with worsening blood circulation in the legs and lower back, but indicate symptoms of other diseases. An example of such diseases is heart failure, so it is recommended to immediately consult a doctor.
In case of impaired blood flow through the vessels of the body and swelling of the lower extremities, it is recommended to drink plenty of water, at least two and a half liters per day, not counting tea and other drinks.
For fatigue, pain and swelling of the lower extremities, in particular in the heel, take the following types of liquid:
If there is swelling and pain in the lower extremities at the heel when bending, it is not recommended to abuse diuretics or diuretics. In the morning and throughout the day, there is the opportunity to take a portion of the diuretic decoction. If your heel continues to swell after taking the prescribed diuretics, stop taking it and go to the doctor.
After swelling and pain in the heel occur, it is not recommended to drink:
There is a stereotype that swelling of the lower extremities is associated only with excessive fluid intake and a sedentary lifestyle. If your legs are swollen below the knees, the reasons for this may be more alarming. In fact, the presence of this symptom can be a formidable harbinger of cardiovascular pathology, kidney disease, liver disease, inflammatory vascular lesions, tumor compression of the iliac veins and other serious diseases.
Proper diagnosis allows you to timely identify the underlying disease and select effective timely therapy.
Swelling of the legs may be a consequence of right ventricular failure. Wherein:
Let's take a closer look at the reasons why the legs below the knees swell with right ventricular failure. Due to the deterioration of the contractility of the ventricles, adequate blood supply to organs and tissues is disrupted, the sympathoadrenal system is activated, the lumen of the venules and arterioles narrows, and the number of heart contractions increases. In response to vasoconstriction, blood pressure increases, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is activated, renal blood flow decreases, sodium and water are retained, blood supply to the vessels increases, and hydrostatic pressure in the veins increases.
If the legs below the knees swell, the reasons for this may be that there is increased vascular permeability, a decrease in protein synthesis and its excretion in the urine due to associated kidney damage.
Cardiogenic edema develops gradually and is most pronounced towards the end of the day. They spread from bottom to top.
The feet are the first to swell, and complaints about tightness and uncomfortable shoes appear. Then the lower leg swells. The skin is cold to the touch, pale cyanotic. There are marks from socks, elastic bands, and shoe fasteners. When pressed, a dimple remains on the skin for a long time.
Symmetry of edema is characteristic. With prolonged sitting, swelling of the lumbar region may occur.
With decompensation of right ventricular failure, edema becomes widespread. Ascites appears (filling of the abdominal cavity with fluid). It is possible to develop anasarca (extensive swelling of the skin and subcutaneous fat).
For left ventricular failure, manifestations of cardiac asthma are more typical:
Therapy consists of the following measures:
Do your legs below the knees swell with left ventricular failure? We have reviewed the causes and recommendations for treatment.
Unlike cardiac edema, renal edema is most pronounced in the morning and develops from top to bottom. Initially, the eyelids and face swell. Towards the afternoon, the legs (legs and ankles) swell, the swelling of the face is less pronounced. The skin is soft, warm, the pit quickly disappears after pressing with a finger. The presence of cyanosis is not typical.
The ability of edema to “migrate” is an important diagnostic sign for kidney pathology.
There is a tendency to high blood pressure.
If your leg below the knee is swollen with diseased kidneys, you will find the causes, treatment, as well as other useful recommendations below.
Edema is associated with toxic-immune damage to the glomeruli of the kidneys, a decrease in their filtration rate, fluid retention, an increase in blood volume, the release of plasma blood components into the tissue due to increased vascular permeability and reduced oncotic blood pressure due to pronounced loss of protein in the urine.
And yet, why do the legs below the knees swell? The causes and symptoms of these unpleasant sensations are interrelated.
With the development of edema due to glomerulonephritis, a connection with a past infection, such as tonsillitis, is noted.
With nephritic syndrome, edema is less pronounced, and hematuria syndrome is characteristic (urine takes on the color of meat slop).
Nephrotic syndrome is accompanied by massive loss of protein in the urine and severe edema up to anasarca.
The following are used in therapy:
Why do my legs swell below the knees? The causes and symptoms of these unpleasant sensations may indicate liver disease.
A decrease in protein synthesis in the liver due to severe damage to its tissue (end-stage hepatitis, cirrhosis, fatty degeneration, hepatocellular carcinoma) is accompanied by severe widespread edema, up to anasarca. Hepatic edema is accompanied by severe itching of the skin, scratching, spider veins, capillary fragility, yellowness of the skin and visible mucous membranes.
What other causes are there for such a phenomenon as swelling of the leg below the knee? Varicose veins on the legs are characterized by redness and peeling of the skin, which is accompanied by a dull aching pain, fatigue, and heaviness in the legs.
With severe lesions, trophic changes in the skin are possible: dermatitis, ulcers, hyperpigmentation. On examination, contoured venous patterns, pronounced swelling, dilation and bulging of veins, and trophic changes in the skin are visible. The swelling is asymmetrical, of varying severity, depending on the degree of damage to the veins.
The presence of swelling in the legs is isolated and is not combined with other clinical symptoms (shortness of breath, cough, swelling in the face and torso, fever, etc.).
If you are concerned about swelling of the leg below the knee due to varicose veins, the reasons, photos and other useful information are available in this article. Perhaps this will help you.
In case of severe damage, surgical treatment (phlebosclerosis) is used.
Drug treatment includes the use of venotonics and antiplatelet agents.
What is the reason for swelling of the legs below the knees, in addition to the above diseases? Swelling of the legs can also occur due to phlebothrombosis. With deep vein thrombosis, the initial stages occur without signs of inflammation of the vein wall.
Reddening of the skin and swelling rarely occurs. The skin is glossy, the venous pattern is clearly contoured. Swelling of only the affected leg appears. The pain spreads to the inner thigh. The pain increases sharply when walking.
Let's take a closer look at the reasons why the legs below the knees swell in chronic venous insufficiency. Constantly progressive damage to the venous system is accompanied by symmetrical edema, disappearing in the morning and appearing in the evening. Redness of the skin of the legs is observed (against the background of severe swelling). It is extremely rare for a unilateral lesion to occur.
Pain and swelling in arthritis are associated with effusion into the joint cavity. The joint is increased in size. Characteristic redness of the skin.
The onset of juvenile arthritis (before 16 years of age) is accompanied by an acute onset, fever, and rash on the skin of the face, torso, buttocks, and over the joints. Internal organs are affected. Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by morning stiffness.
If you have been diagnosed with Schönlein-Henoch hemorrhagic vasculitis and you are concerned about why your right leg is swollen below the knee, we will discuss the reasons further.
There is a connection with previous infection, taking antibiotics, and the presence of severe allergic reactions.
The articular form is characterized by: swelling, swelling of the knee joints, muscle pain, hemorrhagic rash on the limbs, hips and buttocks.
Due to impaired coagulation, hemorrhages in muscles and joints associated with minor trauma are possible. The affected joint is swollen, sharply painful on movement and palpation, the skin is hyperemic and hot to the touch.
If the legs below the knees swell, the reasons for this are not always associated with pathology. The occurrence of edema can be a consequence of:
So, you need to be concerned if your legs below the knees often swell. The causes and types of edema can be different.
For preventive purposes, it is recommended to: normalize body weight and balance nutrition, stop drinking alcohol, regularly undergo preventive examinations with a therapist, and include dosed and regular physical activity in your daily routine. In the absence of pathology from the kidneys and cardiovascular system, yoga (inverted asanas) and physical therapy (the “birch tree” exercise) are effective in normalizing venous outflow.
What to do if your legs below the knees swell? The reasons, how to treat it, how to get rid of it - all this is of interest to those faced with the problem. Our article provides answers to all these questions.
Edema is the accumulation of excess fluid in soft tissues, developing as a result of a number of reasons. Swelling of the leg below the knee is not an independent disease, but a symptom of some pathology in the human body. Most people strive to get rid of unpleasant swelling of the limbs, forgetting that such a symptom may indicate serious problems.
Swelling of the legs below the knee is divided into types depending on the etiology of its occurrence:
If swelling of the leg from the knee and below develops within 1-2 days, we can talk about its acute form. Depending on the cause, acute swelling may appear on one or both legs:
There are also chronic edemas that appear periodically as a symptom of certain pathologies. In this case, swelling of the limbs persists for quite a long time and drug treatment is required to eliminate it. There are several reasons for this condition:
Different specialists deal with the problems of edema, depending on the cause of its occurrence. As a rule, the first person to contact is a general practitioner. He will make a preliminary diagnosis and for a more detailed examination will refer you to specialized specialists - a phlebologist, nephrologist, cardiologist or endocrinologist.
As a rule, in order to identify the cause, one symptom is not enough. The patient is sent for additional examination, which helps to identify pathological processes occurring in the human body. The diagnostic complex includes the following studies:
The doctor must approach the treatment of the problem comprehensively, taking into account the etiological factor and the mechanism of edema. Since the symptom is not an independent disease, it is important to identify and eliminate the key pathology that provoked swelling of the extremities. There are several methods for treating edema:
Drug therapy is carried out for most pathologies that cause an unpleasant symptom. However, it should be understood that taking decongestants is not a treatment for the disease, but only the elimination of its manifestations. Drug treatment involves taking several groups of drugs at once that act on the root cause of the pathology. Due to the large number of causes of edema, a variety of groups of medications can be prescribed, for example:
Some pathologies accompanied by swelling of the extremities below the knee require specific therapy. Thus, infectious arthritis or erysipelas are treated with antibiotics; for glomerulonephritis, corticosteroid drugs are prescribed; vein thrombosis requires the prescription of anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents.
For any chronic edema, the patient is advised to adhere to a diet. You should limit your consumption of table salt, as it can retain fluid in the body. It is advisable to avoid fatty and spicy foods; food products should contain sufficient amounts of protein.
Surgical treatment is indicated in serious situations where swelling is caused by thromboembolism or venous thrombosis, if conservative methods are ineffective.
In order to prevent swelling of the legs below the knee, it is advisable to follow simple recommendations:
Each pathology requires special treatment, depending on its etiology. Only a specialist after an in-person consultation can understand the causes of swelling of the lower extremities and select the correct treatment.
Many patients, when visiting a doctor, complain that their legs are swollen. Edema is a symptom of various diseases. Most often the cause is stagnation of venous blood or lymph. Edema of different etiologies has its own characteristics.
Not everyone knows why their feet swell. Swelling of the legs is an increase in the volume of the lower extremities. Most often, swelling is local, that is, in a certain area (in the area of the feet or lower legs). Sometimes there is swelling near the joints. This indicates the development of arthritis. Most often, the legs swell at night, after prolonged static exercise or drinking large amounts of liquid.
This problem is faced by people of any age and gender. Swelling below the knee is most common. The following are the causes of swelling of the legs:
The reason may lie in taking certain medications (glucocorticoids, NSAIDs, calcium antagonists). Swelling of the legs can be caused by hypothyroidism, fasting, pathology of the small intestine, iliac vein syndrome and congenital disorders of vascular development in the legs.
Legs become swollen for various reasons. The following mechanisms of this process are distinguished:
With heart failure, the legs often swell significantly. A decrease in cardiac contractility helps to reduce the speed of blood flow, as a result of which blood plasma rushes through the vessels into the intercellular space. Impaired heart function leads to difficulty in the outflow of blood from the lower extremities. The circulation of fluid in the human body depends on the functioning of the kidneys.
These organs filter blood plasma and remove waste products from the body. If this process is disrupted, the legs below the knee often swell. If there is swelling of the legs, the reasons may lie in liver pathology. The protein albumin is synthesized in this organ. When its formation is disrupted, swelling is often observed.
The leg often swells due to varicose veins. Veins are blood vessels that carry blood from various organs to the heart. The leg veins collect blood from the lower extremities and run from bottom to top. Blood flow is regulated by the operation of the valve apparatus. When this process is disrupted, blood flow slows down, leading to stagnation. Blood escapes through the wall of the vessel, which leads to swelling.
With varicose veins, veins become less elastic, tortuous and dilate. Subsequently, nodes are formed. This disease affects 30-40% of the female population. In men, varicose veins are detected a little less frequently. The following causes of varicose veins in the legs and the appearance of edema are distinguished:
Risk factors include insufficient amounts of raw fruits and vegetables in the diet, physical inactivity, smoking, excess weight, and improper organization of work and rest. With varicose veins, the legs hurt and become swollen. Swelling is characteristic of the stage of subcompensation and decompensation of varicose veins. In the first case, there is slight swelling of the foot, ankle or lower leg. Most often it appears in the evening.
After a night's sleep, swelling of the leg below or above the knee disappears. The appearance of swelling that does not disappear after a short rest indicates the third class of varicose veins in humans. Swelling of the foot or leg is not the only symptom of the disease. There is heaviness in the legs, the appearance of spider veins and nodes under the skin. Swelling is combined with cramps, dull pain, and itching. Dilated veins are visually identified.
If your legs below the knees swell, the cause may be chronic venous insufficiency. This is a pathology that develops against the background of long-term varicose veins. Almost every second adult between 20 and 50 years old has signs of this pathology. The development of CVI is based on the difficulty of blood flow through the veins. Swelling of the legs in women due to venous insufficiency is observed much more often than in men.
CVI is manifested by the following symptoms:
Venous insufficiency causes swelling of the feet and ankles. The toes are not involved in the process. Edema syndrome appears to a greater extent in the afternoon. All this indicates the first or second degree of chronic venous insufficiency.
If the leg is swollen, then the person may have thrombosis. This is a condition in which a thrombus (blood clot tightly fused to the wall) forms in the lumen of the vessel. Acute deep vein thrombosis is a common complication of varicose veins. This condition is dangerous due to the possibility of embolism and human death. The thrombus blocks the vein, which leads to impaired blood flow.
The following causes of this pathology are identified:
This complication often develops in people who lie, stand or sit for a long time. Edema due to venous thrombosis has the following features:
The skin in the affected area has a bluish tint. On palpation the limb is colder. In such patients, the skin changes. It becomes shiny and smooth. The appearance of pain on the inner surface of the leg is typical. Similar symptoms are observed with superficial vein thrombosis.
If your legs begin to swell, deep vein thrombophlebitis may be the cause. This is a disease in which a blood clot forms and at the same time the inner wall of the vein becomes inflamed. Why do my legs swell due to thrombophlebitis? The following causes of this pathology are identified:
Thrombophlebitis is manifested by bursting pain, swelling, pain on palpation, local fever, bluish skin, protrusion of veins through the skin, and fever. Swelling appears on the back of the foot. The ankle veins are often affected. When pressing on the skin, a small depression is formed, which disappears after a couple of seconds. Such people have pain and swelling in their legs due to the inflammatory reaction and the release of the liquid part of the blood through the vessel wall into the intercellular space.
Swelling of the legs in women and men can be caused by lymphostasis. This is a condition in which there is stagnation of lymph in the lymphatic vessels. This disease is otherwise called lymphedema. The prevalence of this pathology is 10%. Stagnation of lymph is due to the following reasons:
The primary form of lymphostasis is a congenital pathology. With it, both lower extremities may be swollen at once. When the leg is swollen on one side, this indicates secondary lymphedema. The swelling is localized in the area of the back of the foot and lower leg. The hip may be affected. In the early stages of the disease, the swelling is mild, but then it becomes denser.
The swelling is pale. At first they decrease in the morning, then become constant. Edema syndrome in primary lymphedema develops mainly in people under 35 years of age. The secondary form of the disease is diagnosed after 40 years of age. In addition to swelling of the legs, patients experience tightness of the skin and pain. In severe cases, convulsions and trophic changes are observed.
The lower legs swell in acute and chronic heart failure.
This is a condition in which the pumping function of the heart is impaired. Acute heart failure develops against the background of thromboembolism, myocarditis, hypertensive crisis, and myocardial infarction.
In heart failure, fluid accumulates in the body cavities and lower extremities. Cardiac edema has the following features:
Edema syndrome is combined with shortness of breath, exercise intolerance, cyanosis of the skin, signs of dysfunction of internal organs (pain in the abdomen and hypochondrium, nausea, abnormal stool), swelling of the veins in the neck (with acute insufficiency), cough. Edema syndrome is a component of renal pathology. Such swelling rarely occurs in the legs. More often they are localized on the face. They are mobile, pale, warm, soft.
Treatment of patients begins after diagnosis and establishment of the underlying disease. If a pathology of the venous apparatus is suspected, the following studies are carried out:
Lymphostasis can be detected during lymphography and lymphoscintigraphy. An ultrasound of the abdominal organs is mandatory. If there is a suspicion of renal edema, then laboratory tests (urine and blood tests, kidney tests) are of greatest importance. The following changes are detected:
Kidney ultrasound and Doppler sonography are required.
Differential diagnosis helps to exclude other diseases. When examining and interviewing the patient, the doctor evaluates the following characteristics of edema:
Cardiac edema appears on the lower leg and foot, bilateral, motionless, soft (dense in chronic pathology), cold, pink. Renal edema is bilateral, soft, pale, mobile, and can disappear quickly. Sometimes swelling is observed around the joint. Such swelling is often bilateral, soft, combined with pain and stiffness in the joint.
The color of the skin in the affected area is not changed. There is such a thing as edema of pregnancy. It has its own characteristics: it appears on both legs at once, is localized in the lower third of the leg, pale in color, transitional.
Only the doctor knows what to do. Treatment of leg swelling of renal origin involves elimination of the underlying disease, the use of diuretics, correction of water and electrolyte composition, adherence to a strict diet and drinking regimen. For glomerulonephritis, immunosuppressants (Imuran) and broad-spectrum antibiotics are prescribed. Anti-inflammatory drugs are often used. Patients must follow diet No. 7.
In case of kidney failure, blood purification (hemodialysis) may be necessary. Such patients should not drink a lot. Folk remedies are used only after consultation with the attending physician. For renal edema, diuretics are used (Furosemide, Mannitol, Spironolactone, Dichlorothiazide). During therapy, the electrolyte composition of the blood and blood pressure are assessed.
When using potassium-sparing diuretics, foods rich in potassium (bananas, dried apricots, raisins, baked potatoes) should be avoided. In acute renal failure, anuria and urinary retention, many diuretics are contraindicated. To strengthen blood vessels, vitamins and Ascorutin are prescribed. Kidney edema must be treated by following a diet.
The amount of salt consumed should not exceed 2 g per day. You need to eat more fresh fruits, berries and vegetables. In nephrotic syndrome, the diet is protein-oriented, since the body loses proteins through urine. Meals should be fractional. You need to drink little by little. If your legs swell due to heart failure, what should you do in this situation?
Such patients benefit from drug therapy. Its task is to prevent the progression of the disease and transfer the disease to the compensation stage. The following groups of drugs are used:
To increase the resistance of blood vessels, angioprotectors are prescribed. In very rare cases, surgery is required.
You need to know not only why the feet and legs swell with varicose veins, but also the methods of treating this pathology. In the early stages, such patients can be treated conservatively. Treatment involves the use of medications (venotonics), physical therapy, the use of various ointments and gels, and wearing compression stockings.
The most commonly used medications are Aescusan, Detralex, Venarus, Phlebodia 600. Such treatment does not completely cure a person, so radical methods of therapy are most effective. These include sclerotherapy, laser coagulation, phlebectomy, and radiofrequency coagulation. Such treatment is aimed at eliminating blood stagnation and turning off dilated veins from the bloodstream.
During sclerosis, a special substance is introduced that glues the walls of the vessel. Laser coagulation has a good effect. Microsurgical operations are performed very often. Such patients need to be treated in a hospital setting. The most radical method of therapy is surgical removal of dilated veins (phlebectomy). When thrombophlebitis of the veins has developed, ointments containing heparin are used.
It is a strong anticoagulant. Fibrinolytics (Streptokinase) may be prescribed to dissolve fresh blood clots. To increase vascular tone, angioprotectors (Doxy-Chem, Troxevasin) are used. Physiotherapeutic methods of treatment (medicinal electrophoresis, paraffin therapy, magnetic therapy) are widely used. Surgery is required for ascending thrombophlebitis.
Surgical treatment is contraindicated in the late stage of varicose veins and with the development of eczema. Not everyone knows what to do if they have chronic venous insufficiency. Therapeutic tactics depend on the degree of its severity. Compression is in progress. Phlebotonics are indicated. To eliminate old swelling and prevent the appearance of new ones, patients should follow the following recommendations:
Cycling, running and swimming are recommended. You can't play wrestling, football, or basketball. It is recommended to massage your feet more often and eat well.
Prevention of edema involves eliminating risk factors that can provoke the development of varicose veins, thrombosis, lymph stagnation, pathology of the heart and kidneys. The following recommendations must be followed:
More often, edema appears in the later stages of the disease, so if cardiac or renal pathology is detected, you must follow all medical recommendations so that the disease does not progress. Thus, swelling in the legs is a symptom of various diseases. The most common cause is stagnation of venous blood. If swelling appears in your legs, you should consult a doctor. Cardiac and renal edema are the most dangerous, as they indicate insufficient organ function.
Patients' complaints that their legs hurt below the knees often manifest themselves at stages when the disease is already developing. In the initial period, few people paid due attention to this fact. These pains can occur at night or in the evening, are not associated with overload of the body, and do not depend on weather conditions. Painful sensations can vary in strength and intensity, in sensations and perceptions. They affect both the foot and the lower leg, causing suffering. Why do my legs hurt below the knees? Let's try to figure it out.
First of all, it should be noted that the lower part of the leg consists of two large joints: the ankle and knee, and on the foot - those associated with the toes. The lower leg is divided by doctors into two sections: anterior and posterior. They are delimited in front by the tibia, its inner edge, and in the back by part of the fibula, which includes the ankle. The lower limbs are richly supplied with blood vessels, nerve endings, muscles and ligaments. Depending on the location of the pain, sensations, and associated complications, examination can find causes that reflect characteristic signs. What exactly can cause pain - only a specialist doctor knows the answer.
Often, professional responsibilities force you to be in the same position. These are teachers, salesmen, machine workers, hairdressers. By evening, my legs swell and hurt a lot, especially below the knee. Due to stagnation associated with work, pain can bring unbearable torment.
Athletes who withstand extreme loads on joints and bones due to jumping, running, and strength training often experience pain. This pain can be acute or constant, aching. In these cases, only unloading the joints and frequent changes of body position help. This is done to ensure proper distribution of blood flow within the body.
Sometimes trauma, which may have been suffered in childhood, makes itself felt in the form of pain. Any mechanical damage particularly affects the structure of the bone and ligament. Over time, inflammatory processes appear in the front or back of the lower leg, and swelling is detected at the site of the traumatic injury. Therefore, any injury must be treated and preventative procedures periodically carried out to avoid consequences.
These include osteochondrosis of all sections of the spinal column, sciatica, and lumbodynia. If the lumbar region is damaged, especially if there is a herniation or protrusion of the disc, pain may occur along the nerve roots-branches, on the right or left leg. This type of pain intensifies when turning, bending, or awkward movements and occurs in the lower leg and can radiate to the foot. It is often accompanied by numbness of the limb, which in itself is an alarming symptom.
This form of cause can also include flat feet. If you do not wear special orthopedic shoes or insoles, the patient will experience pain not only in the foot, but also in the shin and knee. The development of flat feet must be monitored from childhood and timely treatment and preventive measures must be taken: gymnastics, massage, wearing arch supports.
Arthrosis and arthritis of the lower extremities, bursitis of the knee joints is reflected in pain and swelling syndromes. The pain can be of a different nature, very often accompanied by swelling, redness, and occurs when moving or at rest, at night. The left or right half of the entire body suffers more, sometimes only the limbs. Morning pain more often occurs in people prone to rheumatoid arthrosis and gout. Severely restricting movement, it goes away only after warming up. Sometimes the patient has to spend a few minutes in bed to warm up and only then can he get up.
Most painful sensations below the knees occur in people prone to congestion in the veins. Such pains are pronounced, identical in manifestation:
In particularly dangerous cases, such phenomena can lead to gangrene and amputation of the limb. With this nature of the disease, trophic ulcers with purulent discharge can often occur, which also requires immediate medical intervention. Similar symptoms may be associated with manifestations of cardiac pathology. The only difference is that swelling appears on both legs at the same time.
Cardiovascular diseases, in addition to edema of the lower extremities and thrombophlebitis conditions, cause pain of an obliterating nature. This is a special type of atherosclerosis of the blood vessels of the circulatory system. If your legs hurt below the knees, this is a consequence of disruption of the main blood flow in the arteries, especially the lower leg. The lumen in them narrows due to plaques, the internal lumen becomes narrow. There is pain in the calf muscles and intermittent claudication is observed. The disease does not allow long walks or walking distances, which forces the patient to sit down, rest, and then the pain symptoms decrease. If the disease develops, then over time the sensation of pain will not be left alone. An important sign is dry skin, flaking or hyperkeratosis. If you pay attention to such points in time, you can avoid serious complications that will lead to surgery.
Lack of vitamins (hypovitaminosis), especially if the patient is a fan of strict diets, can lead to pain in the legs, which is especially acute at night. They are accompanied by cramps in the calf muscles and in the top. This indicates a lack of the elements potassium, iron, and magnesium. This can be easily corrected with the help of multivitamin complexes and proper balanced nutrition.
In general, whatever the reasons, it is necessary to seek qualified medical help in order to avoid consequences and choose treatment tactics.