Pain occurs when nerves respond to stimuli such as high levels of pressure, low or high temperatures, and chemicals and can be released by tissue damage. Pain in the legs may be dull, numbing, tingling, burning, radiating, or aching. Beyond this, it can be acute, i.e. sudden and short-term, or chronic and permanent. The severity of the pain can be rated on a scale from 1 to 10 or from mild to severe.
Injuries sustained during sports matches or accidents are usually acute and traumatic. A person can often identify the cause.
Some sports injuries accumulate over time, for example, repetitive strain injuries and stress fractures. Traumatic injuries can also become enduring or chronic problems if a person does not rest or seek treatment.
Causes of Leg Pain
Various causes of leg pain may show similar symptoms. Below are some symptoms of leg pain:
1. Leg cramps or Charley horses
Charley horses are temporary episodes of pain that can last for a few minutes. The muscle which is usually the calf located at the back of the lower leg tightens and goes into spasm. At night, cramps are more common and in elderly individuals. About 1 out of 3 people over the age of 60 years have night cramps, and 40% have more than 3 attacks per week.
2. Peripheral arterial disease
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) can cause pain in the leg because of poor blood circulation. If left untreated, this condition can be fatal. The key symptom is intermittent claudication. The blood supply to the leg muscles to become restricted as a result of intermittent claudication. The resulting lack of oxygen and nutrients results in pain.
3. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
DVT refers to the blood clot in the deep veins of the leg. It may appear after spending a lot of time sitting down, for example, when on a flight for a long journey. The symptoms of deep vein thrombosis include swelling and a hot, painful sensation on one of the leg. This can only happen when you walk or stand.
4. Shin splints
Participation in intense efforts during a sport can result in different types of injury. Activities such as jogging and running can create recurring impact forces that overload the muscles and tendons. Shin splints cause severely localized tenderness in the muscles, and sometimes bone pain which is commonly felt around the shin bone.
5. Compartment syndrome
When the leg injury causes swelling, dangerous muscle pressure can lead to acute or chronic compartment syndrome. This can be due to breakage or serious bruising. Swelling causes pressure to accumulate until the blood supply to the muscle tissue breaks, which exhausts the muscles of the oxygen and the food. Pain can be serious and unexpected due to injury. In severe cases, early pain can be accompanied by numbness and paralysis. Permanent muscle damage can also occur.
Symptoms of Leg Pain
Since the leg contains a number of different structures and types of tissue, a wide range of conditions and injuries can cause pain in the legs. Depending on the cause of the pain, other symptoms, such as
• Weakness
• Numbness
• Throbbing
• Cramps
• Aching
• A tingling sensation may accompany leg pain.
Leg Pain Treatment
Treatment for Leg Pain requires restoring the circulation and blood flow to the affected structures in your leg. Pain is caused when swelling, inflammation and decreased circulation generate a blockage, which causes blood flow to be interrupted or slowed. Treatment for this issue requires breaking up the accumulated fluids in your leg to allow for improved healing and quicker recovery.
Products recommended for symptoms of swelling, redness, pain, and inflammation, and if coolness makes your pain feel better:
Ice Substitute Poultice
Bruise Relief Liniment
Muscle Therapy Massage Oil
Products recommended when swelling and inflammation are gone, but you still feel pain, stiffness, weakness, and/or sensitivity in cold and damp weather, and if heat makes your pain feel better:
Pain Relief Liniment
Muscle Therapy Massage Oil
