Leg pain is not uncommon for people who participate in athletic activities. Whether the cause is minor or serious, pain can make it difficult to exert your full athletic potential. Causes vary from temporary situations to long-term health conditions. Identifying your cause of pain allows you to deal with it appropriately and prevent physical damage. Depending on the cause of pain, treatments can include hydration, rest, medication, physiotherapy and changing your athletic activity.
Muscle Cramps
Muscle cramps, also called charley horses, are common causes of leg pain during athletic exertion. They are often characterized by the sudden onset of pain or spasms in a specific area of your calf and thigh muscles. Muscle cramps can be caused by dehydration, low electrolyte levels and overuse of the muscle. You may be more susceptible to muscle cramps if you are pregnant, have a hyperthyroid, are taking medications or have a metabolic condition. To prevent muscle cramps, keep your body hydrated and replenish the electrolytes that you lose through sweat during long periods of exercise. If you continue to suffer from muscle cramps, consult your health care practitioner.
Injuries
Leg pain can be a sign that you have sustained an athletic injury, such as tendinitis, stress fracture, torn ligament or shin splints. Most athletic injuries increase in pain gradually, giving you the opportunity to stop your activity before the injury becomes more serious. Tendinitis can occur in your Achilles tendon when it becomes swollen from overuse, while shin splints occur in your shins from repetitive high impact exercises. Stress fractures and torn ligaments can be more immediate injuries that result from one specific incident.
Health Conditions
Frequent leg pain can be a sign of an underlying health condition, such as atherosclerosis, deep vein thrombosis, arthritis, infection, nerve damage or claudation. Claudation is a condition of poor circulation that leads to leg pain and cramps when you exercise, caused by having blocked arteries that restrict the flow of oxygenated blood to your legs. Depending on where the blockage is, you may feel pain in your feet, calves, hips, thighs or buttocks. If you have a condition that causes leg pain, ask your health care provider to recommend a suitable form of athletic activity.
Treatment
The first step in treating your leg pain is to identify the cause. If you are experiencing muscle cramps, replenish your body's fluids and electrolytes. Stretching, slowing down and massaging the cramped muscle may also help. Most athletic injuries can be treated by immobilizing the injured area, taking time off from your activity, icing, anti-inflammatory medication or physiotherapy. Stretching, warming up and exercising at an appropriate pace are techniques that can help you prevent injury. Health conditions can be serious and should be discussed with a health care provider.
