Pain and discomfort in your leg can be troublesome, but there are varying degrees. To save on medical fees and serious bouts of anxiety, it’s important to understand the difference between common and concerning leg pain and a severe medical concern.
Luckily, there are ways to understand whether your pain is a serious concern or not. In this article, we will explain how to decode your discomfort.
Leg pain can be caused in a variety of ways. While most are not severe, it is helpful to understand what they are and how to manage them.
Here are some common leg pain causes.
To start, your leg pain may be caused by overexertion. Infrequent exercise routines can result in inflammation and discomfort. Exercising without stretching can also lead to muscle pulls and strain.
To avoid injury or pain, it’s very important to stretch before you begin physical activity. This will increase range of motion and circulation within muscles which lowers the risk of injury.
The second cause of leg pains is dehydration. Low water intake can increase the chances of cramps and weakness. As a result, you may experience prolonged leg pain.
A lack of vitamins and proper nutrients can have the same effects, which can be solved without major medical assistance. To solve this issue, drink plenty of water and maintain a healthy diet. If your pain still persists, it may be best to visit a doctor.
Leg pains can also be the results of certain medical conditions. For example, inflamed tendons, or tendinitis can all cause moderate to severe leg pains.
Typically, this is due to overexertion during sports or exercise. In addition, tendonitis can occur from rheumatoid arthritis. Depending on its severity, tendonitis may lead to difficulty walking, bending, or stretching.
Thankfully, with over-the-counter medications like Tylenol or Advil, pain can be managed. In other instances, heat or ice packs may be helpful. However, extreme cases may require MRIs and potential surgery.
Now that you know some of the causes, you may be asking, “when to worry about leg pain, and what do I do?”
Unfortunately, there are circumstances where leg pain can become overwhelming and unmanageable. During these times, it is best to seek medical assistance. Here is when you should worry and seek medical attention.
First and foremost, any sort of musculoskeletal issues require immediate attention.
Injuries like torn ligaments or tendons cannot be healed at home with ice packs and Ibuprofen. Other injuries such as achilles ruptures and stress fractures also need medical help.
Delaying treatment can worsen the injury.
There are times where symptoms are not so clear, which can make it difficult to tell if your pain is serious or not.
For example, swelling throughout the day can be a telltale sign. Abrupt mobility issues may also be concerning.
If you suddenly have extreme difficulty walking, there may be a serious issue present. This includes circulation issues. Medical professionals will be able to properly assess and treat any ailments found.
You should be alarmed if you notice severe lower leg and calf pain. This can be due to vein issues. These pains can be heightened by simply sitting for an extended period of time.
If you are experiencing these symptoms and signs, please visit a medical professional.
Along with leg pains, South Valley Vascular can treat a plethora of medical issues and concerns. Our team of doctors will always have your best interests in mind. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call us at 559-625-4118. We look forward to helping you.
