Understanding the top 10 leg pain causes

Most of you must have experienced some or the other form of leg pain many a time. Some types of leg discomfort usually disappear within a short period, while some stay for long. The duration of such pain usually depends on the leg pain causes, which are aplenty. If you are currently suffering from leg pain or you simply desire to gain comprehensive insights into the myriad causes of leg pain, here we are with a list of the possible reasons that lead to leg pain.

Cramps
Also known as Charley Horse, cramps are a primary cause of leg pain. Caused by dehydration and muscle fatigue, cramps result in a sudden sharp pain in the leg muscles. This is one of the common leg pain causes, where the pain subsides on its own and doesn’t usually require medical help.

Achilles tendinitis
This is an overuse injury affecting the Achilles tendon that connects calf muscles in the lower back legs to the heel bone. It starts as a mild ache above the heel or at the back of the leg. Middle-aged people who play sports, such as tennis or basketball, and runners who increase intensity and duration of their runs usually experience it suddenly. This condition can be treated at home, but severe Achilles tendinitis requires surgical treatment.

Baker’s cyst
One of the primary leg pain causes is the result of a condition named Baker’s Cyst. It is a fluid-filled cyst, which causes tightness and a bulge behind the knee. The pain worsens when a person with this cyst extends his knee or is overactive.

Chronic exertional compartment syndrome
This is an exercise-induced condition that causes swelling, numbness, tingling sensation, weakness, or pain in the leg and arm muscles. It might happen to anybody, but athletes are prone to it. A modification in activity and some lifestyle changes can treat this condition.

Herniated discs
The rubbery cushions between our vertebrae are called disks. When there is a problem in these disks, the condition is termed as a herniated disk. It irritates the surrounding nerves, which results in pain, numbness, and weakness in the leg. Depending on the severity of the problem, some patients manage to correct the condition without medical help, while others undergo surgeries to correct the same.

Growing pains
The aching or throbbing feeling that comes and goes in legs, usually in children, is termed as the growing pain. It affects both the legs and some children experience it more than. Growing pain in children is associated with lowered pain threshold or psychological issues and doesn’t require specific treatment. It can be eased by applying warm heating pads on the sore muscles or by simply massaging the affected area.

Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
The Legg-Calve-Perthes disease is one of the many leg pain causes. It is a childhood condition wherein the ball portion of the hip joint receives very little blood. Resultantly, the ball portion in the hip joint becomes unstable. Limping, pain, and stiffness in the hip, thigh, or knee are the usual symptoms of this disease.

Osteoarthritis
The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which also happens to be one of the leg pain causes. It affects millions of people across the globe and takes place when the protective cartilage present on the bone ends wears down. This disorder can damage any joint in the body, but the joints in knees, spine, hands, and hips are more vulnerable. Those suffering from osteoarthritis experience mild or severe pain in the joints during or after movement. The joints feel tender even when light pressure is applied. Hard lumps around the affected joints can be felt, and there is a loss of flexibility. Joint stiffness is certainly a prominent feature of this joint condition that is felt the most after waking up in the morning or after being inactive for long.

Shin splints
The large bone that we all have in the front of our lower leg is the shin bone. The pain that some people experience along this bone is termed as shin splints. Athletes, military recruits, runners, and dancers usually experience this leg pain when they suddenly change or intensify their training routine.

Varicose veins
Varicose veins are the enlarged and knotted veins. Although any vein can become varicose, veins in our legs and feet are more susceptible. The reason behind is the increased pressure that the veins in our legs bear when we walk or keep standing for long. Also known as spider veins, varicose veins are no more than a cosmetic concern for some people. Moreover, this condition in some people causes pain and discomfort in legs. They sometimes lead to a number of serious circulatory problems as well.