There are two types of pain: acute, which is mild to severe at onset and lasts for only a few weeks; and chronic, which ranges from mild to severe and lasts for months or indefinitely. Chronic pain can follow an acute episode that accompanies many illnesses and diseases, or it can develop slowly as part of a disease process.
Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are the veins in the backs of the calves, inside the legs or on the thighs that look like twisted cords. Varicose veins appear when the valves in the veins malfunction and allow blood to leak backward into the veins instead of flowing back to the heart. Varicose veins affect about half of people over age 50, according to WomensHealth.gov.
Symptoms of varicose veins include restless legs, throbbing, heaviness, swelling and an aching pain that worsens after prolonged sitting or standing. Potential dangers of varicose veins include a blood clot just below the skin, known as superficial thrombophlebitis, or a blood clot in a deep vein, known as deep vein thrombosis.
Treatment of varicose veins ranges from wearing compression stockings to sclerotherapy--injections that seal the veins--laser treatments and surgery, depending on the seriousness and size of the vein.
Shin Splints
Shin splints refers to pain down the front of the lower legs on the inside of the large bone, or tibia. Athletes are most at risk for developing shin splints, especially when the activity level or endurance increases. Inflammation occurs in the muscles and tendons with too much activity and not enough recovery time. Flat feet may also cause shin splints, reports MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.
Treatment options for the chronic pain of shin splints include complete rest from the specific activity that initiated the pain for two to four weeks, over-the-counter pain medications and an ice pack applied for 20 minutes two to three times a day. If the pain doesn't resolve in a few weeks, see a health care provider for further treatment.
Herniated Disc
When the center nucleus of a disc in the lower back ruptures and pushes through the outer edge of the disc, pressure on the spinal nerves causes symptoms such as weakness and pain in one or both legs, depending on the location of the herniation. There are many conditions that can cause the discs to weaken, such as smoking, repetitive strain, obesity and improper lifting.
The most common symptom of a herniated disc is a sharp, shooting pain, known as sciatica, which goes from the buttocks down the back of one leg. Nonsurgical treatment for a herniated disc includes over-the-counter pain relievers, muscle relaxers, cold compresses and limiting certain physical activities, such as bending and lifting. Surgical treatment includes the option of microdiskectomy and laminectomy, reports the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
