Pain in the legs can appear suddenly and we will not even suspect why it broke down. My legs hurt, what’s wrong? Let’s look at the main causes.
The lower extremities serve as a lever for forward movement, holding the weight of the body, acting as a balancer and shock absorber. Most people take 8,000 to 10,000 steps each day and spend four or more hours on their legs. During the day, the legs receive enormous physical loads, the equivalent of hundreds of tons. Therefore it is very important to take care of the health of the lower limbs and not to run the disease of the legs.
Pain in the lower extremities can be a symptom of various diseases. The main causes of leg pain are:
- The consequences of traumatic fractures, sprains and other damage to the ligament apparatus;
- Osteoarthritis, arthritis;
- atherosclerosis;
- diabetes mellitus;
- varicose veins;
- lumbar osteochondrosis;
- chronic venous insufficiency and others.
Arthritis and arthrosis
With arthritis and arthrosis of various etiologies, painful sensations are localized in the affected joints. The intensity of pain increases with a sudden change of weather. Painful joints (especially the knee) may swell and become twisting.
If these symptoms occur, you should see a specialist and undergo an examination. After confirming the diagnosis, the doctor prescribes medication therapy, orthopedic bandage or orthosis. Hyaluronic acid products are injected into the affected joints to restore their normal function. If there is pain and deformity in the area of the big toe, surgical treatment is performed.
Spinal issues
Pain in legs and feet can be caused by diseases of the lumbar spine.
Typically, such symptoms occur when the intervertebral discs are displaced, resulting in compression and inflammation of the lumbar nerves. As a result, the pain is displaced downward, along the posterior surface of the thigh. The intensity of the sensations resembles a toothache.
The treatment is complex. The patient shall be assigned a massage, physical therapy, 3-4 hours a day of special lumbar brace, acupuncture, blockade of inflammatory areas with the injection of anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs.
Atherosclerosis
Your legs may be hurting because of atherosclerosis of the vessels of the lower extremities.
This disease occurs more often in elderly men. The main symptom of this pathology is lower leg pain, which occurs even when walking a short distance 200-800 ft (50-200 meters). The severity of these pains is such that a person stops and cannot continue walking. At rest, the pains subside, and the patient can walk again for a while, after which the pains reappear.
Methods of treatment of this pathological condition may be very different. At the initial stages, conservative therapy may be sufficient. In neglected cases surgical treatment (bypass surgery, stenting) is applied.
Diabetes
Pain in the legs may occur with diabetes mellitus.
They are quite intense, intensify at night, and may cause insomnia. In addition to pain, patients with diabetes experience numbness, tingling in the legs, feeling “goose bumps”, and cold feet. Swelling and cramps of the lower extremities are less common.
The most dangerous complication of the disease is the development of diabetic foot syndrome, which is long and hard to treat.
Varicose veins
One of the most common causes of pain in the lower extremities is varicose veins.
Clinically, this pathological condition is manifested by rapid leg fatigue during the day, cramps in the calf muscles at night, a feeling of heaviness and distension in the shins.
Word from Reyus Mammadli
Leg pain can occur for reasons that are obvious or not obvious to you. If your legs have been hurting for more than two days, you should see a doctor. Only a correct diagnosis and the doctor’s prescriptions are a reason to start treatment.
