What Could Be Causing Your Leg Pain?

Your legs are an important body part that helps you get through your day-to-day tasks. But once pain starts to take over it, it could become a problem.

There are medical treatments available to handle leg pain when you're experiencing conditions such as blood clots, leg cramps, or nerve issues. You can also do some of your home treatments as well depending on the severity of the pain.

So, what are the common conditions that triggers leg pain in Vacaville? Let's find out.

Common Triggers of Leg Pain in Vacaville CA

1. Shin splints - This pain occurs right up front of the calf area. You will experience inflammation on the flesh and muscles along the edge of the shin bone which makes it harder for you to walk, run, or jump. This condition happens if you keep doing activities repeatedly on a hard surface. Your chances of getting shin splints are much greater if you have flat feet or your feet turns outward.
2. Muscle cramps - It can happen anytime during your sleep or in the middle of the day. You will feel a sudden, tight, intense lower leg pain which is sometimes referred to as "charley horse." Once it occurs, it can turn from bad to worse. This is a result of having tired or dehydrated muscles. So, if you're prone to leg cramps, the best way to avoid them is to always drink plenty of water.
3. Tendinitis - The early warning signs that you're suffering from an inflamed Achilles tendon is pain in the lower calf, close to the back of the heel. This is a common injury that causes your tendons to stretch, swell, or tear. It can be a result of overworking your calf muscles or repeatedly climbing the stairs. The worse part is that it may take some time to go away.
4. Blood clot - When your blood starts to thicken in the vein and it clumps together, it can become a clot. If it develops in a vein deep in the body, it is called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). These deep-vein blood clots occur mostly in the thigh or lower leg. It can result from becoming inactive for long periods like when you're in a car ride or long flight. You are also at risk if you're overweight, a frequent smoker, or taking certain medications. There's a possibility that the blood clot could break off into your bloodstream and make its way into an artery in the lungs. Once that happens, it could block blood flow and will become a serious condition known as pulmonary embolism. This is a case where you need to see a doctor immediately to prevent the condition from becoming worse.
5. Stenosis and sciatica - When you're having a narrow spinal canal then it's called an arthritis of the spine. The most common scenario is when a herniated disc puts pressure on the nearby nerve roots and can cause sciatica symptoms which includes:
   1. Fatigue
   2. Numbness
   3. Tingling
   4. Weakness
   5. Burning, cramping leg pain.

      The pain starts in the back and hip which may later go down into your leg. Resting is often the best cure for leg pain but it's not applicable to this one. It won't do your sciatica any good.

6. Diabetic neuropathy - It happens as a common complication of diabetes. When you have high blood sugar levels, it can cause some damage to the nerves. This will create pain on both of your legs that is associated with numbness and less sensation in the lower leg area.
7. Varicose veins - This is something that everybody is familiar with since it is visible on the surface of the skin. They have an appearance of a twisted, purple or dark blue vein which are caused by weak valves and vein walls.
8. Lower-extremity peripheral arterial disease - When the arteries in your legs are damaged and became hardened, this condition is likely to happen. Arteries can become narrow and blocked which prevents the needed blood flow to your legs. You will feel some cramping and pain in your lower leg when you try to walk, climb the stairs, or do some other exercises since your muscles aren't getting enough blood. Resting can help with this one but when the arteries are severely narrowed or blocked, pain will continue to happen. There's a chance that the wounds won't also heal.

For more information call our team at Absolute Integrative Physical Medicine in Vacaville today!