Leg lifts are exercises that place stress on the structures of your lower body. If any structures in the left quadrant of your flank are damaged or under stress, leg lifts will cause you severe pain. If the pain is not addressed in any way, it may lead to severe health issues.
Leg Lifts
Leg lifts are exercises that are used to strengthen the muscles of your core and -- to a lesser extent -- your upper thighs. If done properly, these exercises strengthen the muscles of your abdomen and can prevent problems like herniation. If tissues are damaged, leg lifts can exasperate this damage.
Ligament and Muscle Damage
Damage to the muscoskeletal structures of the left quadrant of your flank, such as sprains, stretches and tears, can all cause pain during leg lifts. These conditions can be diagnosed with the use of an MRI, computerized tomography and ultrasound tests. These conditions are treated with pain-killing medication, immobilization and, in extreme cases, surgery.
Peripheral Artery Disease
Peripheral artery disease is a condition during which reduced peripheral blood flow can cause pain in the left quadrant of your flank. Leg lifts can cause an increase in the blood requirements of your tissue. If proper amount of blood is not received by tissues, this could increase the discomfort in your legs. This condition can be diagnosed with an angiography, blood tests and ultrasound. It is treated with blood thinners, cholesterol-reducing medications and, in some cases, with surgery.
Peripheral Neuropathy
Damage to the nerves in and around the left quadrant of your flank may cause pain during leg lifts. This pain can be caused by a inflamed nerve, damaged nerve ending or a nerve under pressure from a tumor. This condition can be diagnosed using a nerve biopsy test and electromyogram. This pain is remedied by treating the underlying cause of the problems with the nerve.
References
- "Exercise and Health"; Prof. T. A. Asmangulyan; 1997
- MayoClinic.com:Health: Sprain and Strains
- MayoClinic.com: Health: Hamstring Injury
- National Institutes of Health: Peripheral Neuropathy
