Sharp leg pain during exercise may be caused by a minor injury or may be a symptom of a more serious injury or illness. In addition to overuse injuries like cramps and shin splints, leg pain can be caused by a variety of injuries or illnesses. Cramps and minor injuries can be treated at home. Seek medical attention if the pain continues or additional symptoms occur.
Self Care for Leg Pain
For exercise-related cramps or suspected overuse injuries, the pain can be treated by resting, elevating the leg and stretching and rubbing the leg muscles. Take over-the-counter pain medication as directed on the package to relieve the pain. According to the University of Maryland, apply ice to the painful area of the leg for up to 15 minutes four times per day.
Diagnosing Leg Pain
In addition to asking questions about the injury and examining the leg, physicians use lab tests, ultrasound and x-ray or MRI studies to find the cause of leg pain. According to Dr. George Harris and Dr. Brian Hughes at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, leg pain may be related to injury or illness to muscles and bones, nerves, blood vessels of the leg or from systemic illness, including infection, cancer and diseases that affect metabolism and overall health like diabetes and heart disease.
Exercise-related Leg Pain Risks
Some risk factors for exercise-related leg pain can be reduced by limiting distance and intensity of exercise; wearing appropriate shoes to cushion the forces on the legs; and losing weight or maintaining a healthy body weight. The type of exercise may increase the risk for leg pain. A study published in the January-February 2010 issue of "Journal of Athletic Training" indicates the lower leg is one of the top three body parts injured by cross-country collegiate athletes.
Serious Conditions
Injuries requiring medical attention include pain that improves after resting but grows more painful with movement or putting weight on the leg. According to the University of Maryland symptoms to watch for include fever, leg swelling and color changes with redness, paleness or bruising of the leg. In the May 2009 issue of "The Journal of Musculoskeletal Medicine," Dr. Jack Andrish warns that a popping sound in the knee and sharp pain and swelling during exercise may signal a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament. This injury may require surgical repair to regain function of the knee. A sharp pain in the thigh may signal a femoral stress fracture that left untreated may lead to disability.
Prevention
Take medications as directed by a physician and follow prescribed treatments specific to health conditions. Stay hydrated. Stretch and warm-up before exercise and cool-down after exercise to help prevent muscle cramps and shin splints. Andrish recommends starting any exercise program at a low intensity level and increase distance, repetitions and intensity no more than 10 percent per week to minimize pain.
References
- Emergency Medicine: Deciphering Your Patient's Leg Pain
- "Journal of Athletic Training"; Risk Factors for Self-reported Exercise-related Leg Pain in High School Cross-country Athletes; MF Reinking, TM Austin and AM Hayes; Jan.-Feb. 2010
- University of Maryland: Leg Pain Treatment
- "The Journal of Musculoskeletal Medicine"; Sports Injuries in Weekend Warriors; Jack T. Andrish; May 2009
