Leg pain can be challenging to deal with. It can make walking and moving around uncomfortable. You may also have trouble sleeping if you are suffering from persistent leg pain. Sometimes, leg pain is a result of something minor, such as a pulled muscle or stress from exercising. Other causes can be more serious and may require a trip to the doctor. If you notice leg pain that persists for a long period, it’s important to find the cause so you can treat it and find relief.

Sciatica

Leg pain can often be the result of back problems, such as sciatica. Sciatica is a condition in which the sciatic nerve is inflamed. This nerve begins in your back and travels down your legs to your feet. When you are dealing with sciatica and the pain associated with it, you may find that the pain that was once tolerable has become too much to deal with. This is the time when you may seek medical attention.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia and the symptoms associated with it are often debated as to whether it is a real condition. However, those who have this condition often have memory problems, exhaustion, sleeplessness, depressed mood and muscle pain throughout the body. Some who are diagnosed with this condition report feeling tingling or numbness in the legs as well as pain.

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

Tarsal tunnel syndrome occurs when pressure is applied to the posterior tibial nerve which is located in the inner heel. This can cause numbness and tingling in the ankle and surrounding area. It is similar to carpal tunnel syndrome, although less common it is, however, no less painful. It can cause tightness, shooting pain, burning and shock-like sensations.

Arthritis

There are many forms of arthritis, each posing a different set of problems. Osteoarthritis causes a breakdown in the cartilage in between the bones. This can be very painful in the joints because the bones begin to rub together. This leads to bone spurs and inflammation which can be painful regardless of where it is located in the body.

Electrolyte Imbalance

If you’ve ever gone a long time without eating or drinking, you may have noticed that your legs feel cramped. This is usually the result of an electrolyte imbalance. Electrolytes are essential for healthy muscle function and nerve support. One of the key minerals that you need to keep your electrolytes in check is sodium. Sodium is responsible for helping the body retain water. When you become dehydrated cells, have to work harder due to the lack of fluid, and this leads to muscle cramps.

Muscle Strain

A very common cause of leg pain is a muscle strain. This can happen if you stress your leg muscles with running and strenuous exercise. If you put too much stress on your muscles by overstretching and overexertion, this can lead to muscle tears. You’re going to feel soreness, cramping, swelling and even muscle weakness. The best way to treat this condition is to use hot or cold compresses to get relief from the pain and cramping.

Tendonitis

Tendonitis causes extreme pain in the lower calf muscle. If you participate in strenuous exercise and put too much stress on the Achilles tendon, which attaches the heel to the calf muscles, you could suffer from tendonitis. Runners are at great risk of developing this condition due to the repetitive stress they place on the Achilles tendon while training.

Shin Splints

If you are a very active individual, you could develop shin splints. This is a very painful condition in which the front part of the lower leg aches. You can develop shin splints because of many factors including incorrect footwear, feet that point inward or outward, distance running or sprinting and inflexibility. To reduce pain, it is important to stretch the lower leg muscles. You can also use ice, compression, and massage to find relief from the pain.

Stress Fractures

Stress fractures in the legs are incomplete breakages of bone that are a result of overuse. Initially, the pain might feel like a shin splint. These fractures occur over time, and you may only notice symptoms after a particularly tough workout. If you suffer from this condition, you should avoid weight-bearing exercises and get plenty of rest for several weeks until the condition has cleared up.

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis occurs when a blood clot forms within the deep veins located in the leg. This can be caused by prolonged periods of sitting, bed rest, high altitude, birth control, obesity or trauma. Deep vein thrombosis causes a dull aching, cramps, swelling, discoloration of the skin and skin that is warm to the touch. If a blood clot is suspected, it is imperative to seek medical attention promptly so that a course of action for treatment can begin.