Causes of pain in the legs

These are causes of leg pain

• Broken bones (lower or upper thigh)
• Thrombosis (for example, deep vein thrombosis)
• Entrapment of the sciatic nerve
• Herniated disc in the lumbar spine area
• Compartment Syndrome
• severe diabetic polyneuropathy
• Reduced blood flow due to a PAD
• Injury to the leg
• Bone tumors

Deep vein thrombosis (phlebothrombosis)

Complete or partial occlusion of the deep venous system of the legs, often caused by immobilization, accidents, coagulation disorders, smoking and the birth control pill. Often asymptomatic, pain in the calf (especially when walking) and in the sole of the foot possible. Severe swelling and bluish discoloration of the skin on the affected side possible.

Also read: Pain from varicose veins.

PAOD

PAVK stands for Peripheral arterial disease. Chronic Disease of the arteries the lower extremity, which by arteriosclerosis (Hardening of the arteries). Patients complain about Pain when walking, dry skin and Wound healing disorders. Risk factors are among others diabetes, high blood pressure and smoking. The pulses of the arteries on the feet are only palpable to a lesser extent.

TVT

DVT stands for deep vein thrombosis. In the case of a thrombosis, a blood clot clogs a blood vessel and thereby impedes further blood flow. As a result, blood backlog forms, which increases the pressure in the corresponding vessel. This in turn ensures that slight water retention, so-called edema, forms. Furthermore, the leg typically feels warmer in the corresponding area than the opposite side and the area is clearly reddened.
Walking becomes increasingly difficult for those affected as the leg hurts worse and worse. In this case, a visit to the hospital is strongly advised, since in the worst case the thrombus can loosen and lead to a pulmonary embolism.

This article might also interest you: Detect thrombosis

Herniated disc of the lumbar spine

A herniated disc in the lumbar spine (lumbar spine for short) can have a wide variety of effects on the lower extremities - the legs. In addition to sensory discomfort such as tingling or prickling, it can also be numbness or pain that are caused by the stroke. What is special, however, is that the pain does not arise in the leg, but in the nerve fibers that are responsible for conveying pain sensations in the legs via the spinal cord to the brain. However, this does not mean that the pain felt is not as bad as pain caused by a "real" injury to the leg.
Typically, the pain of a herniated disc runs along one side of the leg along a fairly delimitable ligament and does not occur over the whole leg.

Find out more about that Theme: Herniated disc of the lumbar spine

Restless legs syndrome

Restless legs syndrome (RLS for short) is a neurological disease of the legs. Those affected feel sensitive sensations in their legs. This can range from numbness to tingling sensation to pain. This results in the patient's urge to move, which leads to an improvement in the symptoms. As a rule, the abnormal sensations only occur during rest and appear in the late evening or at night when the person concerned comes to rest or is in bed.
The RLS can be inherited genetically, but is often also caused by psychiatric drugs such as neuroleptics. Even if the cause has not yet been really clarified, the symptoms can be treated quite satisfactorily with painkillers and dopamine preparations. In many cases, however, it is not the sensitive symptoms that are in the foreground, but rather the exhaustion caused by the disturbed night's sleep.

Read more on the subject at: Restless legs syndrome

Thrombophlebitis

Thrombophlebitis is an acute inflammation of a superficial vein in combination with a thrombotic occlusion. An exact cause for the thrombophlebitis has not yet been found. The inflammation is often caused by the spread of germs into the venous system. For example, by using an indwelling venous catheter. It is not entirely clear whether there was a thrombosis first, in which substances are released from the blood clot that cause inflammation or the inflammation causes thrombosis. Both possibilities are conceivable.
Thrombophlebitis causes localized pain and also only a small, limited reddening. However, manifest leg pain is rare in thrombophlebitis.

Read more on the topic: Phlebitis in the calf

Polyneuropathy

Polyneuropathies are nerve disorders that affect multiple nerves. These diseases often lead to abnormal sensations in or on the body. Those affected experience a tingling sensation, pain, numbness or even a loss of sensation, for which there is no corresponding correlate at the perceived area. Rather, the nerves are damaged and therefore tend to convey sensations that don't actually exist.
In the case of numbness, it can even happen that a nerve has died completely. Usually an entire leg or foot is affected by this "false sensation".Risk factors for polyneuropathies are poorly controlled diabetes or smoking.

This article might also interest you: Polyneuropathy

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In order to be able to treat successfully in orthopedics, a thorough examination, diagnosis and a medical history are required.
In our very economic world in particular, there is too little time to thoroughly grasp the complex diseases of orthopedics and thus initiate targeted treatment.
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Which therapy achieves the best results in the long term can only be determined after looking at all of the information (Examination, X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, etc.) be assessed.

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You can make an appointment here.
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For more information about myself, see Lumedis - Orthopedists.

Vitamin B deficiency

As a rule, a vitamin B deficiency is a deficiency in vitamin B12. This is often contained in foods of animal origin and has a somewhat more complicated way of how it has to be absorbed into the body. These circumstances make it susceptible to a deficiency in this very vitamin.
This deficiency often manifests itself in so-called neuropathies of the legs. This neuropathy states that nerves in the leg are disturbed in their function. For those affected, this can present itself as an uncomfortable tingling sensation or, in the worst case, severe leg pain. Since the nerves are damaged, they convey these stimuli without there being a corresponding stimulus on the surface of the leg.
The cause is determined by taking a blood sample, which reveals that the vitamin B12 level is too low. Treatment with vitamin B12, however, takes a few months before it is visible or noticeable.

Read more on the topic: Vitmain B12 deficiency

Lymphangitis, "blood poisoning"

By bacteria triggered Inflammation of a lymphatic vesselwhich most often comes from a minor injury to the toe or inflammation of a hair follicle. It shows up reddened, tender stripe on the leg and possibly pain at the entry point of the pathogen, which no longer has to be visible. Simultaneously high fever is a warning sign and you should consult a doctor immediately.

Erysipelas

By bacteria triggered Inflammation of the skinwhich most often originates from a minor injury to the toe or inflammation of a hair follicle.

It shows up reddened, pressure-sensitive area on the leg and possibly pain at the entry point of the pathogen, which no longer has to be visible. At the same time, a high fever is a warning sign and requires medical clarification.

Tendinitis in the leg

In principle, tendinitis can occur in any muscle on the leg. However, there are muscles that are significantly more susceptible to this than others. For example the shin muscles. Tendon inflammation is usually the result of overloading the corresponding muscle tendon. As a rule, the person concerned does not notice this overload, only the tendinitis that occurs afterwards.
As a rule, tendinitis is accompanied by tendinitis, as the vagina immediately surrounds the tendon. The pain usually only begins when the patient is exerted. Strict relief should be given at this stage to give the inflammation a chance to heal. If this does not happen, the inflammation spreads and then usually hurts even at rest.
The inflammation is usually treated with a combination of anti-inflammatory drugs and pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or diclofenac.

Read more on the topic: Tendinitis in the leg

Baker's cyst

A Baker's cyst is a protrusion of the knee joint capsule towards the back of the knee. Baker's cyst can have many causes. What they all have in common, however, is the fact that there is increased fluid formation in the joint capsule. Since this fluid has nowhere to go, the joint capsule begins to expand until it finally forms a protuberance at its weakest point. This protuberance is called a Baker's cyst.
This protuberance can become painful if it is subjected to excessive stress. For example, bending the leg for long or frequent periods or standing for long periods of time can cause the hollow of the knee to begin to hurt. For treatment, the cyst is punctured and the excess fluid drained.

For more information, see: Baker's cyst

Femoral neck fracture

By falling on the Thigh or the hip caused Fracture of the femoral neck. Are risk factors osteoporosis and old age.

Thigh fracture

Break of the Thighbone by accident.

Lower leg fracture

Breakage of one or both Lower leg bones by accident.

Torn hamstring

By Overstretching a muscle or through insufficient warm-up during exercise it comes to one Tear in the muscle fiberscausing pulling pain.

Quadriceps tendon rupture

Torn tendon the large thigh extensor due to strong tension of the muscle or due to previous degenerative damage.

Read more on this topic at: Quadriceps.

Gonarthrosis

Osteoarthritis of the knee, mostly through degenerative changes triggered Damage to the articular cartilage in the knee joint.

Bone tumor

Vicious Bone tumors go through Bone pain and a palpable swelling noticeable, possibly also through broken bones after minimal injuries.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Chronic systemic disease caused by a Inflammation of the synovium leads to joint and tendon inflammation. More often on the hands than on the legs.

Read more on this topic at: Rheumatoid arthritis.

Sciatic neuralgia

By Irritation of the sciatic nerve Triggered hip pain that pulls into the legs. Sensory disturbances and muscle weakness in the legs are possible.