Sports that involve repetitive motions or place excessive stress on your leg muscles, such as basketball or jogging, can increase your risk of injuring the tendons, muscles and ligaments throughout your legs. Burning pain, accompanied by a popping sound, can indicate a serious injury that requires expert medical care to heal properly.
Ruptured Achilles Tendon
Your Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles along the back of your leg to your heel bone. Running, jumping and intensive exercise can strain this tendon and cause swelling and tenderness. If you fail to treat the injury appropriately, the Achilles tendon can rupture. Signs of a ruptured Achilles tendon include sudden, severe pain and an inability to bear weight on your foot or to bend it downward
Leg Sprain
A sprain occurs when you stretch or tear the ligaments that connect the bones in your legs. These ligaments support your joints and enable you to walk and run. A tear can occur when you knock a joint out of position and rupture the surrounding ligaments. A severe sprain, in which the ligaments completely separate from the bone, causes severe, excruciating pain. You will be unable to use your leg or bear weight on it. Moderate strains involving a partial tear can cause milder pain and swelling, as well as some joint instability.
Treatment
Seek immediate medical attention if you suspect you ruptured your Achilles tendon. In cases of leg sprain, go to the emergency room if you can't move the affect joint or if you can't walk more than four steps without severe pain. Otherwise, make an appointment to see your doctor so he can assess your degree of injury. If you have a moderate sprain, you might need to wear a brace of splint while the injury heals. Ruptured tendons or muscles, or completely torn ligaments, might require surgical repair.
Prevention/Solution
Increase the intensity of your exercise gradually. Wear supportive shoes that provide adequate cushioning in your heels and good arch support. Replace your shoes as soon as they show signs of wear. Include leg stretches and strengthening exercises in your regular workout routine. Cross-train -- mix high-impact exercises, such as jogging, with lower-intensity ones, such as swimming or cycling. Avoid exercises that place excessive stress on your tendons and ligaments.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Sprains and Strains Symptoms
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Achilles Tendinitis
- St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Michigan Medical Report; The Facts About Achilles Tendinitis; Peg Chilvers; March 2008
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Sprains and Strains: What's the Difference?
