Discover common causes of leg pain beyond injuries, including thrombophlebitis, cellulitis, intermittent claudication, and DOMS, plus when to seek medical advice and blood clot treatments.
Four common reasons for leg pain that aren’t related to injuries:
* Inflammation and blood clots in the veins (thrombophlebitis)
* Cellulite (skin infection)
* Intermittent claudication
* Problems related to overexertion during strenuous physical exercise – what’s known as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS)
Experiencing pain in the legs can be a bit of a downer, especially if it’s something that lingers. It’s like a never-ending road trip, whether you’re in a car or on a plane.
Often, the pain isn’t severe, but in some cases, you might feel sharp leg pain and sensitivity in the area. In other instances, it might just be a slight discomfort that you barely notice. Some people don’t feel any pain at all.
Cellulitis is inflammation beneath the skin, often affecting the legs and thighs. It can sometimes resemble thrombophlebitis and often needs antibiotics to resolve.
A Baker’s cyst, which forms behind the knee, can also cause leg pain and swelling. Sometimes, steroid injections or other medications are needed.
Older or frequent smokers might experience intermittent claudication in their legs.
This means insufficient blood reaches the muscles during exercise, like walking. This causes pain that’s known as intermittent claudication. The pain usually comes on after exercise and improves after a few minutes of rest.
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) or intermittent claudication can be managed medically, but it’s often more effective to adopt habits to minimize the symptoms.
It’s recommended to consult your doctor if you experience leg pain that isn’t typical, such as the throbbing pain of thrombophlebitis, intermittent claudication, or DOMS.
See your doctor/healthcare provider.
When experiencing leg pain, the most important question is whether it requires medical intervention for treatments like blood thinners. Neglecting it can increase the risk of blood clots reaching the lungs – pulmonary embolism. Therefore, it is very important to treat it as it can cause major risks.
Doppler ultrasound is a good option to rule out blood clots in the legs. This non-invasive procedure doesn’t require surgery or injections. Blood tests like D-dimer can improve the accuracy of the diagnosis.
It’s important to get advice from your healthcare provider about blood clot treatments.
Intermittent claudication can often be diagnosed based on a patient’s history and physical exam.
However, if the problem is severe, further evaluation might be needed to assess blood flow in the leg arteries to determine the best course of action.
If necessary, surgical treatment options are available, including procedures to widen the artery or bypass the blocked area with a graft made of synthetic material.
Testimonials
Leg pain used to keep me from my morning walks, but after making a few lifestyle adjustments, I’m back on my feet and enjoying the outdoors again. It just goes to show, a little self-care can go a long way toward regaining your vitality!
FAQ
What is intermittent claudication? It’s pain caused by too little blood flow to your legs or arms, usually during exercise.
What are the main symptoms of thrombophlebitis? Symptoms are limb pain, swelling, and redness. Contact your doctor immediately.
Can leg pain be a sign of a more serious condition? Yes, severe leg pain may require medical intervention.
