Muscle Pain in Leg – What to Do
If you’re having muscle pain in leg, you might be wondering what to do. There are a number of things that can cause leg pain. The pain may be sharp, dull, or numb, and it may be related to other issues, such as back pain or fever. Your provider may recommend physical therapy, an MRI, or both. You may also feel fever and tingling in your leg. However, whatever the cause, there are several things you can do to address your pain.[1]
Symptoms
If you experience persistent pain in your leg, it might be due to a number of conditions. Some of the more common reasons are due to poor circulation and blood vessel problems. Varicose veins, for instance, can cause throbbing and aching pain. They can also lead to numbness and even paralysis. To rule out these conditions, you need to see a doctor right away. Symptoms of muscle pain in leg can also be due to a blood clot in the leg or ankle.[2]
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, may be prescribed to help you manage your pain and swelling. Your doctor may also recommend a rehabilitation program to gradually return your muscle to its previous condition. You should also seek medical attention if you experience vascular disease or claudication. Inflammation can lead to cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Taking steps to reduce inflammation can help you live a healthier life.
Your healthcare provider will begin by asking you about your symptoms. After examining you, your doctor may order diagnostic tests such as blood tests and X-rays to rule out any underlying conditions. A doctor may recommend further tests if you are concerned that your condition is related to a fracture or arthritis. Your healthcare provider may also perform a physical examination to see whether there are any problems with your leg.[3] However, if the pain is severe, you may want to see a specialist.
Treatment
Often muscle pain in the leg is a symptom of an injury or another condition affecting the muscles. If the pain persists or worsens, visit your doctor for a diagnosis. Physical therapy may help you overcome the pain through personalized stretches and exercises. A physical therapist can also help you determine if you need medical support or an orthotic device to relieve the discomfort. In addition to physical therapy, you may want to consider a prescription for over-the-counter pain medications.
A strained muscle may be accompanied by bruising, swelling, or numbness. A sprain usually develops due to overstretching or not warming up properly before physical activity. Continuing to exercise while injured can further increase your risk of a sprain. Other conditions, such as an acute or chronic compartment syndrome, can result in swelling of the leg. In either case, swelling can lead to inflammation and pain. Some conditions cause the ill-fated fleck of bone to separate from a muscle’s attachment to bone. Treatment for avulsion fractures is similar to that for a strain.
The causes of muscle pain in leg can vary, so you must consult a doctor to get a proper diagnosis. Charley horses are transient episodes of pain that occur when the calf muscle tightens. Some causes of leg cramps include dehydration, muscle fatigue, and certain medications. It is important to get your leg checked out as soon as possible to avoid further complications. Once your doctor has diagnosed the cause, your treatment will depend on whether it’s a sprain or an injury.[4]
X-ray
Muscle pain in the leg may be an indication of a fractured bone, though sprains don’t show up on x-rays. In addition, an x-ray can also detect fluid that surrounds a joint or bone. When pain persists, a doctor may recommend an x-ray. But there are some exceptions. Read on to learn about the conditions for which you should schedule an x-ray for muscle pain in leg.
Muscle pain in the leg can be a sign of localized or systemic illness. In such cases, you would normally expect it to affect both legs, but you might have a symptom of a more serious ailment. In cases such as gout, a defect in the body’s ability to process uric acid can only affect one leg during an acute flare. When a leg ache is severe, a doctor may recommend an X-ray to identify the source of the pain.
When a muscle is injured, it causes swelling and inflammation. This affects the balance of the muscles surrounding the joint. Ultimately, this can cause chronic stress and pain. Sciatica is pain radiating down the leg from the sciatic nerve. It may also be associated with numbness or tingling. It can also be a sign of an infection. X-rays will provide your doctor with a diagnosis of the condition, and help you take the appropriate steps to get treatment.
MRI
A new study reveals that MRI for muscle pain in leg can accurately diagnose acute compartment syndrome, a condition where tissue is compressed in the thigh and surrounding muscles. While MRI has been criticized for the long scan times and lack of specificity, this technology has made imaging possible in a number of conditions. In addition, it has proven helpful in the diagnosis of myositis and acute compartment syndrome. Biochemical markers of impending muscle ischemia are also useful for this purpose. The phosphocreatine level decreases during anaerobic respiration, and lactate and pyruvate concentrations increase.
Advanced MRI techniques can provide information on the composition, microstructure, and function of muscle. These techniques were previously applied in clinical research settings for muscle disorders such as muscular dystrophy and myopathies. Although some of these techniques are now widely available on clinical scanners, they require specialized software. Some, however, are not available in clinical practice. Some of these include diffusion-tensor imaging and MR electrography.[5]
MRI is a diagnostic procedure that uses magnets to create detailed pictures of the leg, ankle, foot, knee, and surrounding tissue. The pictures that are generated are called slices and can be stored on a computer or printed on film. The test takes 30-60 minutes, although it may be longer, depending on the condition. A patient should remove any jewelry before going under an MRI, because jewelry may cause the images to be distorted. Patients should wear loose clothing and avoid wearing metal objects, such as watches.
Self-care remedies
In some cases, muscle pain in the leg can be an indication of a more serious medical condition, such as a vascular problem. While this is not always the case, there are self-care remedies you can try to relieve your pain. Muscle pain in the leg is often caused by a number of different things, including overuse of the leg muscles and poor circulation. If you experience pain in the leg, you may have varicose veins, which can cause aching, throbbing, or cramping. In addition, you may have pain in the ankle or swollen feet, indicating a condition known as stress fracture.
If your leg pain is intermittent or is accompanied by swelling, a self-care remedy might be all you need to alleviate the pain. While it may feel better after a day or two, pain in the leg may signal a more serious condition, requiring further care and possibly surgery. Using a self-care remedy for muscle pain in leg can help you manage the pain, but if your condition continues to get worse, you should visit your doctor.
Ice is a great self-care remedy for leg pain. It helps reduce swelling and ease pain, and you should apply it four times a day. If you have a severe case of muscle pain, you should also consider applying ice to the affected area. Wrapping it in a cloth or applying it directly to the area can help reduce swelling and reduce the pain. Similarly, you can apply heat to the affected area for 10 minutes. Heat will also help reduce stiffness.
Diagnosis
If you have muscle pain in your leg, your first step should be a diagnosis. A doctor can determine the cause of your pain by performing a physical exam and comprehensive history. They can also administer diagnostic nerve blocks to help identify any problems that may require surgery or invasive treatment. Imaging tests can help identify serious conditions like herniated discs or abnormal bone growths. Your doctor may also order X-rays or scans to determine the extent of your pain.[7]
Other possible causes of muscle pain in the leg include vascular and neurological conditions. Veins in your legs return blood to your heart. Blood clots in the deep veins can cause pain. When they block blood flow to your muscles, they create a “damaging effect.” Pain that comes from deep veins can be sharp, dull, tingling, or burning. Your doctor may be able to diagnose vascular or neurological problems if your pain is persistent or is associated with an elevated risk of clotting.
In some cases, you might be suffering from a sprain, or a tear in the ligament connecting the two bones. During this condition, your ankles swell and hurt, and you may be unable to put any weight on them. Treatment for this type of pain is simple and includes rest, R.I.C.E., and pain medication. A doctor can also recommend medications that will help alleviate the pain.[8]
