Muscle cramping or spasms that occur in the leg are commonly known as a charley horse. The intensity of pain in aching and cramping legs can fluctuate from mild and intermittent to severely intense and chronic, depending on the cause. Many conditions, diseases and illnesses can cause leg discomfort. In some cases, treatment of the underlying cause is required before obtaining any relief.
Peripheral Artery Disease
Peripheral artery disease, or PAD, is a condition in which plaque buildup on the artery walls causes a narrowing or blockage of the blood vessels in the legs. This narrowing restricts the amount of oxygen-rich blood that reaches the leg muscles, which causes cramping and aching in the legs. Other possible symptoms associated with PAD include leg muscle fatigue and burning, numbness in the legs or feet and pain when the leg is elevated.
People at a higher risk for developing PAD include men older than age 50 and people with a history of diabetes, heart disease, smoking, high blood pressure and stroke, according to MedlinePlus. Possible treatment options include blood thinners, pain relievers, medications for blood pressure and cholesterol control and surgery to open or bypass the blocked artery.
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, is the formation of blood clots in the deep or large veins of the body. The most common location for DVT is in the legs, according to MayoClinic.com. Possible causes of DVT include sitting for a long time and medical conditions that affect the way the blood clots. DVT is a life-threatening condition with the potential for the blood clot to break loose and enter the lungs causing a pulmonary embolism.
Possible symptoms of DVT include swelling, leg pain, cramping, redness and warmth of the affected area of the leg, reports MayoClinic.com. Warning symptoms of a pulmonary embolism include chest pain, sudden shortness of breath and dizziness.
Treatment options for DVT include blood thinners such as heparin, clot busters such as tissue plasminogen activator, filters inserted into the vein and compression stockings.
Sciatica
Sciatica is a condition arising from pressure in the spinal column on the roots of the sciatic nerve that is most often caused by a herniated disc. Sciatica presents as pain in the lower back and hip that radiates down into the leg with a feeling of a bad cramp and pain, reports the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Other symptoms include leg weakness or a burning sensation in the leg.
Treatment options for sciatica include a nonsurgical approach using a few days of bed rest, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants and applying heat or ice packs to the painful leg muscles. If the nonsurgical approach doesn't resolve the pain and cramping in the leg, surgery to remove the herniated disk may be considered.
