Leg pain is classified as pain that is felt anywhere from the hips down to the heels and can range in severity from a mild ache to debilitating sharp pain. Most leg pain is caused by damage to a bone, muscle, ligament or tendon, according to Mayo Clinic. In some instances, leg pain can be caused by problems that are not directly related to the leg, such as a pinched nerve or vascular disorders.
Achilles Tendinitis
The Achilles tendon is the area of connective tissue that connects the calf muscles to the heel bone and aids in walking, running and jumping. Achilles tendinitis is a condition characterized by the inflammation of the Achilles tendon. Achilles tendinitis is caused by repetitive motion or strain of the Achilles tendon, typically due to increased running intensity, hill running, repeated jumping such as in basketball, wearing worn-out shoes, flat arches of the foot or trauma to the tendon, according to Mayo Clinic. The most common symptom of Achilles tendinitis is gradually increasing leg pain. Other symptoms include leg tenderness, leg stiffness, visible swelling of the tendon, cracking sounds during foot movement and weakness of the lower legs.
Achilles tendinitis can usually be treated with at-home strategies that include rest, application of ice, compression, foot elevation, stretching and over-the-counter pain medications. If these strategies are unsuccessful, anti-inflammatory medications may be injected directly into the tendon to help reduce pain and swelling. In severe cases, surgery may be needed to repair the tendon.
Sciatica
The sciatic nerve is a long nerve that begins in the spine and travels through the hip and buttock and eventually down the length of each leg. The sciatic nerve controls the muscles of the back of the knee and lower leg, according to MedlinePlus. Sciatica is a condition that occurs when injury or excess pressure compress the sciatic nerve. This results in pain, weakness, numbness and tingling in the leg. The most common causes of sciatica include herniated disks, degenerative disk disease and spinal stenosis, which is a narrowing of the spine. Other possible causes include a tumor in the spine, trauma to the sciatic nerve or a tumor located directly on the nerve.
In order to reduce pain and inflammation, heat or ice should be applied to the painful area and pain medications should be taken, notes MedlinePlus. In order to treat sciatica, the underlying cause must be determined and treated. Physical therapy can also help in treating the condition.
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot that forms in deep veins in the body, which are most prominent in the legs. Blood clots develop as a result of damage to the inner lining of a vein, slow blood flow, thicker than normal blood or blood that clots more easily than average, according to the National Heart, Blood and Lung Institute. Symptoms of deep vein thrombosis include pain and tenderness in the leg, swelling of the entire leg or along the vein, increased warmth in the affected area, and discolored skin in the affected area. Treatment for deep vein thrombosis consists of anticoagulants, or blood thinners, and medications that aim to dissolve existing clots.
