Leg Pain Treatment Home
How Can Leg Pain Be Treated? – Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often prescribed to help reduce pain and inflammation caused by arthritis. In some cases, steroidal injections may be used to relieve pain. Physical exercise has also proven to be helpful in reducing leg pain associated with arthritis and scoliosis.
Physical activity : Regular physical exercise can be very helpful in managing the condition. For this reason, many doctors recommend supervised exercise therapy for PAD patients. Diet control : Reducing the amount of fatty foods in your diet can help reduce cholesterol deposits within your arteries. Not smoking : As tobacco smoke is a key risk factor for PAD, quitting smoking can greatly improve the condition and its symptoms, including leg pain.
Leg pain caused by cramps or overuse can be treated in the following ways:
Resting your leg Applying ice for 15 minutes to help reduce pain Massaging or stretching your leg slowly Elevating your leg Ensuring that you stay hydrated can help reduce leg cramping
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Can leg pain be treated?
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We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. Your legs can hurt from minor injuries or overuse, but this can also indicate a serious medical condition. Home remedies may help, but seek medical advice if the pain persists.
- Leg pain can be dull or sharp.
- See your doctor if you’re experiencing severe or persistent leg pain.
- Getting a prompt diagnosis and treatment for any underlying conditions may prevent the pain from getting worse and improve your long-term outlook.
- Some of the more common causes of leg pain are minor or temporary conditions that your doctor can treat effectively.
A primary cause of leg pain is a muscle cramp or spasm that’s often known as “a charley horse.” A cramp usually triggers sudden, sharp pain as the leg muscles contract. The tightening muscles often form a visible, hard lump beneath the skin. There may be some redness and swelling in the surrounding area.
Muscle strain is a common injury that happens when the muscle fibers tear as a result of overstretching. It often occurs in the larger muscles, such as the hamstrings, calves, or quadriceps. Tendinitis is inflammation of a tendon. Tendons are thick cords that join the muscles to bone. When they become inflamed, it can be difficult to move the affected joint. Tendinitis often affects tendons in the hamstrings or near the heel bone. Knee bursitis happens when the fluid-filled sacs, or bursa, surrounding the knee joint become inflamed. Shin splints cause pain along the inner edge of the shinbone, or tibia. The injury can occur when the muscles around the shinbone tear as a result of overuse. Stress fractures are tiny breaks in the leg bones, particularly those in the shinbone.
Certain medical conditions commonly lead to leg pain. These include:
Atherosclerosis is the narrowing and hardening of the arteries due to a buildup of fat and cholesterol. Arteries are the blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood throughout your body. When there’s a blockage, it reduces blood flow to various parts of your body. If the tissues in the leg don’t receive enough oxygen, it can result in leg pain, particularly in the calves. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein located deep inside the body. A blood clot is a clump of blood that’s in a solid state. DVTs typically form in the lower leg after long periods of bed rest, causing swelling and cramping pain. Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints. The condition may cause swelling, pain, and redness in the affected area. It often affects joints in the knees and hips. Gout is a form of arthritis that can occur when too much uric acid builds up in the body. It usually causes pain, swelling, and redness in the feet and lower part of the legs. Varicose veins are knotted and enlarged veins that form when the veins overfill with blood due to incompetent valves. They usually appear swollen or raised and can be painful. They most often occur in the calves and ankles. Infection in the bone or tissues of the leg can cause swelling, redness, or pain in the affected area. Nerve damage in the leg may cause numbness, pain, or tingling. It often occurs in the feet and lower part of the legs as a result of diabetes,
The following conditions and injuries can also lead to leg pain, but they’re less common causes:
A slipped (herniated) disk occurs when one of the rubbery disks in between the vertebrate slips out of place. The disk can compress nerves in the spine. This may trigger pain that travels from your spine to your arms and legs. Osgood-Schlatter disease occurs when the tendon that connects the kneecap to the shinbone becomes strained. It pulls on the cartilage of tibia where it attaches to the bone. It causes a painful lump to form below the knee, resulting in tenderness and swelling around the knee. It primarily occurs in adolescents experiencing growth spurts during puberty. Legg-Calve-Perthes disease occurs due to an interruption of the blood supply to the ball of the hip joint. The lack of blood supply severely damages the bone and can deform it permanently. These abnormalities often result in pain, especially around the hip, thigh, or knee. This primarily occurs during adolescence. Slipped capital femoral epiphysis is a separation of the ball of the hip joint from the thighbone, causing hip pain. The condition only occurs in children, particularly those who are overweight. Noncancerous, or benign, tumors can also develop in the thighbone or shinbone. Malignant, or cancerous, bone tumors may form in the larger leg bones, such as the thighbone or shinbone.
You can usually treat leg pain at home if it’s due to cramps or a minor injury. Try the following home treatments when your leg pain is from muscle cramps, fatigue, or overuse:
Rest your leg as much as possible, and elevate your leg with pillows. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, to help ease discomfort as your leg heals. Wear compression socks or stockings with support.
What can I use for my legs hurt at night?
Home Remedies For Leg Pain and Cramps – Various leg pain relief techniques can help ease your discomfort when a muscle cramp strikes, including 2 :
Stretching – straighten your leg and flex your foot to stretch out any cramping muscles Massage – using your hands or a foam roller, massage any knots in the muscles to help them relax Movement – get out of bed and press your feet against the floor, or walk around the room to aid muscle movement and blood circulation Applying a cold or hot press – try using a heating pad or ice pack on the painful area of your leg to ease the discomfort. Just be careful not to burn your skin. Over-the-counter pain relief – TYLENOL® PM Extra Strength Nighttime Pain Reliever & Sleep Aid contains 500mg acetaminophen, which can provide temporary leg pain relief, and help with falling asleep.
OTC medication can also help if you’re suffering from back pain at night too.
What can I take for leg pain?
Over the Counter Pain Relievers Can Provide Short Term Relief for Many Types of Leg Pain – Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can offer relief from sore muscles and swelling from leg pain. Some over the counter pain relievers include:
Ibuprofen (Advil, or Motrin) Naproxen (Aleve)
Make sure to follow instructions on the medicine labels. If you are experiencing leg pain that lasts longer than a few days, you should seek the advice of a medical professional either your primary care doctor or a specialist like Dr. Jonathan Ellichman.
to set up your appointment or call Dr. Ellichman’s office today (901) 479-1063. While we get used to hearing medical acronyms, we’re not always sure what they mean. Dive into PAD and PVD – what are they and what’s the best way to prevent these diseases. Some people write off nightly leg pain as a symptom of getting older, but if you are experiencing nightly leg pain that is interrupting your sleep that could be a symptom of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD).
How to Get Rid of Calf Muscle Pain for Good
Listed below are different reasons why your legs may hurt. There are many different diagnoses associated with your leg pain. If you suffer from Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) your doctor might have recommended amputation. You should get a second opinion.
Can lack of water cause pain in legs?
1. Dehydration – Have you been drinking enough water? Dehydration is one of the most common causes of leg cramps. A cramp is an involuntary contraction of a muscle. The fluids in your body allow your muscles to relax, but—when those muscles are dehydrated—they get irritable and prone to cramping. Staying hydrated, especially during physical activity, is an excellent way to avoid leg cramps.
Is heat or ice better for leg pain?
Ice and heat therapy can both be effective treatment options for muscle aches and pains. Generally, ice is better for acute or newer injuries, while heat is better for chronic or long-term pain.
