On a surface level, you may rub off leg pain due to a pulled muscle or aging. While causes of leg pain vary, some are more uncommon than others. Ligament tears, injuries, and muscle sprains are common causes of leg pain, but you may experience unexplainable pain due to vascular diseases. In cases where you cannot pinpoint the cause of debilitating leg pain Memphis specialists can help. It would be wise to know the uncommon causes of leg pain so that you can seek treatment. The
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
A common vascular disease that causes pain in the extremities is PAD. Peripheral artery disease occurs when arteries narrow and constrict blood flow to your legs. The narrowing of the arteries results from the hardening of fatty deposits. Reduced blood flow to the muscles in the leg means less oxygen is delivered, which causes muscle cramping and pain.
Leg pain that results from PAD worsens with intensive exercises. Sometimes you may feel your muscles giving in when you climb up a flight of stairs. Since PAD is tied to stroke and other cardiovascular diseases, seeking early treatment is essential before it worsens into ischemia.
Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Chronic venous insufficiency results from valves in your legs failing due to age or disease-causing blood pooling. CVI may cause varicose veins, which, in extreme cases, causes ulcers in the limbs that may be hard to heal. Leg pain emanates from the pooled blood. The pain can be throbbing and shoot up the leg, especially when you walk.
Lymphedema
As the name suggests, lymphedema is related to edema. Lymphedema occurs when lymph fluids accumulate in the tissues causing swelling in the leg. Early treatment is pivotal to managing lymphedema. Untreated lymphedema can cause disability.
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Blood clot in your deep veins in the legs is a vascular condition that blocks blood flow which causes swelling, redness, and pain in the affected region. DVT is a serious vascular condition that worsens into a pulmonary embolism, which is fatal if not treated.
Causes of DVT include cancer, radiation, inherited cardiovascular disease, obesity, and blood clotting medications. A sharp pain sensation in your leg when you walk or stand up in your leg could be a sign of DVT.
Varicose Veins
The unsightly veins are more than a cosmetic problem. Varicose veins cause leg pain, especially after extended walking or prolonged sitting periods. Varicose veins develop when your blood pools and flows backward. The pain is usually episodic, but you should not ignore it. Varicose veins may also cause phlebitis, which causes blood clots.
Charley Horses
You’ve probably heard someone exclaim, “I’ve got a Charley horse.” Charley horse is an episodic pain that lasts for a couple of minutes. The pain occurs when your muscles suddenly contract. Charley horses are common among the senior population and worsen at night.
What to Do When You Experience Leg Pain?
Leg pain occurs due to multiple reasons. It mustn’t always be a strain or damage to the musculoskeletal system. Vascular and lifestyle diseases may cause leg pain. Usually, leg pain dissipates without any medical intervention. However, the causes of leg pain may be more advanced, like vascular diseases. To take the guesswork out of self-diagnosis and self-treatment, visit a reputable pain center to get checked and receive efficacious treatment.
