Pain in the legs can severely compromise walking. Sometimes, this pain can occur as a result of a bone fracture or muscle problems. In some cases, a clot can form within the leg's blood vessels and cause severe pain.
Stress Fractures
The Mayo Clinic says stress fractures refer to small fractures in the bone, common in the lower leg and foot. Specific symptoms of stress fractures include severe pain (in the leg, foot or other region). In fact, this pain can increase over time and continue even at rest.
Stress fractures are typically due to a repetitive force against the feet or lower legs. For example, running long distances or jumping up and down can lead to stress fractures. The Mayo Clinic says risk factors for developing stress fractures include being an athlete who participates in such sports as track and field, gymnastics or tennis. Also, being a female athlete and having abnormal periods or suddenly taking part in exercise after previously being sedentary can make people prone to stress fractures. Osteoporosis, a condition in which the bones are brittle, can lead to stress fractures.
Taking medications such as aspirin or acetaminophen can help decrease the pain. Also, crutches and a walking brace or boot can help decrease weight-bearing on the leg. In some cases, a splint, cast or surgery may be necessary to manage stress fractures.
Night Leg Cramps
The Mayo Clinic says night leg cramps refer to sudden and painful muscle contractions of the leg. The exact cause for night leg cramps is unknown, but it may be linked to such medical conditions as dehydration, cirrhosis (a liver disease), diabetes, diarrhea or muscle fatigue.
Managing night leg cramps involves flexing the foot toward the head of the bed, walking, taking a hot bath or massaging the affected muscle.
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a medical problem in which a blood clot develops in blood vessels of the leg. MedlinePlus says symptoms of a DVT include severe pain--especially in one leg--leg swelling or tenderness and skin redness of the leg. Typically, deep vein thrombosis is commonly found in people who are older than 60, but any age can be affected.
Some risk factors for developing a DVT include being bedridden, being obese, smoking cigarettes and taking birth control pills or medications containing estrogen. Other risk factors for a DVT include having recent surgery, sitting for a long time and cancer.
Treatment for a deep vein thrombosis involves receiving heparin, either as an injection or intravenously (through the vein). Heparin is a medication that prevents blood clot formation. Warfarin is also given in conjunction with heparin. Sometimes, surgery may be necessary to prevent the blood clot in the legs from moving to the lungs. In some cases, the clot can be surgically removed from the leg.
