Leg muscle pain is a common complaint that is also described as muscle cramps. The hip, knee, shin, ankle and foot are all common origins of leg muscle pain. Leg pain can be generalized or specific to one area. Because the legs are necessary for getting from one place to another, any degree of leg muscle pain can have a detrimental impact on quality of life.
Dehydration
Dehydration is the loss of fluid and important minerals in the body, such as potassium, magnesium, calcium and sodium. Sweating during extended periods of strenuous work or exercise depletes the body of these minerals. Staying adequately hydrated with electrolytes from beverages and foods high in potassium, including bananas, can prevent muscle cramps. Dehydration and leg cramps can also result from medications like diuretics, which help remove excess fluid from the body in people with heart and kidney disease. Doctors often prescribe potassium supplements to take with diuretics to prevent this.
Statins
Statins are a class of medications used to treat elevated cholesterol levels. A common side effect of statins are muscle pain or cramps, usually in the legs. This occurs at any time and is a dose-dependent side effect. It is thought this occurs because of a reduction in coenzyme Q10, an antioxidant important for cell function in the body. A rare complication of statin use is rhabdomyolysis, a severe breakdown of muscle associated with kidney failure, which is potentially fatal. The elderly, drug-drug interactions, female gender and diabetes are characteristics of those at highest risk of muscle-related side effects from statins.
Peripheral Artery Disease
According to the American Heart Association, 8 million Americans suffer with peripheral artery disease, a narrowing of blood vessels in the legs caused by hardened arteries. Common symptoms include intermittent claudication, leg muscle pain that occurs while walking and improves with rest. This indicates the leg muscles are not getting enough blood. Those at risk include smokers, diabetics and people with underlying high blood pressure or cholesterol. Complications include infection, slow wound healing and organ failure, due to the restriction of blood flow to the limbs and major organs. Physical activity, smoking cessation, and controlling high blood pressure and cholesterol levels can help prevent and treat peripheral artery disease.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Leg pain - Overview
- "American Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs"; Statin Adverse Effects, A Review of the Literature and Evidence for a Mitochondrial Mechanism; Beatrice A. Golomb and Marcella A. Evans; 2008
- American Heart Association: Peripheral Artery Disease
