Causes and Treatments for Aching Legs
Article Sources
- 1. 'Shin Splints.' Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 17 Sept. 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/shin-splints/symptoms-causes/syc-20354105.
- 2. 'What Is a Charley Horse? Muscle Cramps Explained.' Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/312241#why/are/muscle/cramps/called/charley/horses.
- 3. 'Leg Cramps at Night: Causes, Pain Relief & Prevention.' Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14170-leg-cramps.
- 4. 'Growing Pains.' Better Health Channel, www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/HealthyLiving/growing-pains.
- 5. 'Broken Bone or Sprain?' HCA Midwest, C-HCA, Inc., 19 Feb. 2021, hcamidwest.com/blog/entry/broken-bone-or-sprain.
- 6. 'Varicose Veins.' Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 30 Jan. 2021, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/varicose-veins/symptoms-causes/syc-20350643.
- 7. 'Arthritis Types.' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 20 Feb. 2019, www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/types.html.
- 8. 'Tendinitis.' Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 3 Nov. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tendinitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20378243.
- 9. 'Herniated Disc.' AANS, www.aans.org/en/Patients/Neurosurgical-Conditions-and-Treatments/Herniated-Disc.
- 10. 'Hamstring Injury.' NHS Choices, NHS, 30 July 2018, www.nhs.uk/conditions/hamstring-injury/.
- 11. 'Gout.' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 27 July 2020, www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/gout.html.
- 12. 'Gout: Disease of the Kings.' The Hand Society, www.assh.org/handcare/blog/gout-disease-of-the-kings.
Many people experience leg pain due to a number of different causes. Treatment for aching legs varies depending on factors like the overall severity, what area of the leg is affected and the cause of the pain. Treatments can range from taking over-the-counter pain medication to surgery, depending on the underlying cause of the leg pain.
An individual's leg aches may be due to genetics, disease, muscle strain or physical injury. Common causes include varicose veins in older people, growing pains in younger people and muscle overuse from strenuous exercise or physical labor.
1. Shin Splints
Shin splits are a common cause of leg pain and may affect both sexes and people of all ages. Shin splints are typically caused by intense exercise regimes or new leg workouts and are very common among athletes, soldiers, and runners. The pain comes from overworking the muscles along the shinbone and can be very intense.
Luckily, shin splints are easy to treat at home by icing the affected area and resting. Wearing the right shoes when exercising may also make a big difference, as proper support is key to avoiding leg injuries.1‘Shin Splints.’ Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 17 Sept. 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/shin-splints/symptoms-causes/syc-20354105.
2. Cramps
Cramps are painful muscle contractions that can affect anyone. Leg cramps are very common and are often referred to as a charley horse, a term dating back to the turn of the 20th century.2‘What Is a Charley Horse? Muscle Cramps Explained.’ Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/312241#why/are/muscle/cramps/called/charley/horses. Cramps may cause muscle spasms and leg stiffening, and leave a person in pain for hours after the muscle knots they cause have gone away.
Treatments for cramps include hydration, pain medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen, stretching and rest. Applying ice or heat may also help relax the muscles.3‘Leg Cramps at Night: Causes, Pain Relief & Prevention.’ Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14170-leg-cramps.
3. Growing Pains
While they've been called a myth, growing pains are very real, and affect many children every year.4‘Growing Pains.’ Better Health Channel, www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/HealthyLiving/growing-pains. These leg aches can vary in intensity and may occur several times a week or once every few months. Growing pains often occur in the late afternoon or at night and can be severe enough to wake a sleeping child.
While growing pains can be excruciating at times, they don't cause any long-term damage to the body and can be treated with over-the-counter pain medications.
4. Sprain or Broken Bone
Sprains and broken bones occur for a multitude of reasons and are painful within seconds. Depending on an injury's severity it may go unnoticed, but both breaks and sprains are usually painful enough for individuals to seek out care.
Telling a difference between a sprain and a broken bone can be difficult, so if an individual thinks they might have a break, they should go to their doctor. Sprains may heal without medical attention, but broken bones require advanced care to prevent complications.5‘Broken Bone or Sprain?’ HCA Midwest, C-HCA, Inc., 19 Feb. 2021, hcamidwest.com/blog/entry/broken-bone-or-sprain.
5. Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins that usually occur more often in the legs, because standing and walking increases the pressure in the veins of the lower body.6‘Varicose Veins.’ Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 30 Jan. 2021, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/varicose-veins/symptoms-causes/syc-20350643. They can cause pain, and in some cases are uncomfortable enough to require surgery.
Varicose veins can also lead to complications developing in the legs, which include blood clots, minor bleeding, and even ulcers. Individuals with varicose veins that start to bleed or cause severe pain should seek medical care as soon as possible.
6. Arthritis
Arthritis commonly occurs in older adults and causes pain when performing physical activities. There are over 100 kinds of arthritis, and they all affect the joints, tendons and tissues surrounding the joints.7‘Arthritis Types.’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 20 Feb. 2019, www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/types.html.
The most common form is osteoarthritis, which is caused mainly by wear on the joints over time, and it often occurs in the legs and hands. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect both adults and children. This is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the joints, causing inflammation and pain.
7. Tendonitis
Tendonitis causes inflammation and swelling in the tendons, which are what hold an individual's muscles and bones together. Tendons take a lot of strain over someone's lifetime. Repeating the same movements with bad posture can cause tendinitis.
Tendinitis is very treatable. Usual treatments include resting and icing the affected area, correcting poor posture and alternating exercise routines to reduce strain. Severe tendonitis cases may require surgery if the tendons are ruptured.8‘Tendinitis.’ Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 3 Nov. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tendinitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20378243.
8. Herniated Disc
Discs serve as cushions for the spinal column and are located between each vertebra in the spine. A herniated disc occurs when one slips or bulges out of place.9‘Herniated Disc.’ AANS, www.aans.org/en/Patients/Neurosurgical-Conditions-and-Treatments/Herniated-Disc. When this happens, it can result in severe pain and fatigue and may require surgery. This pain usually affects the legs, lower back and neck.
People are more at risk for a herniated disc as they age due to the discs weakening over time. Related leg pain may be felt in the thighs and calves.
9. Hamstring Injury
The hamstring is located in the lower thigh and is one of the most commonly injured leg muscles. Hamstring issues often occur in runners and athletes, but they can happen to anyone who uses their legs a lot.
Treating a hamstring injury usually involves a lot of rest and hydration. If the injury is particularly severe, the hamstring may take several months to fully heal. During the healing process, it's important to avoid putting any strain on the muscle, especially if it's torn.10‘Hamstring Injury.’ NHS Choices, NHS, 30 July 2018, www.nhs.uk/conditions/hamstring-injury/.
10. Gout
Gout is a form of arthritis that usually affects the legs and the big toe joint. It's an unusual type of inflammation, which can cycle between periods of remission and periods of extreme pain.
Gout is caused by the buildup of uric acid in the body. Too much uric acid causes crystals to form in the joints, which results in redness, swelling and pain.11‘Gout.’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 27 July 2020, www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/gout.html. It's sometimes called the disease of kings, as royalty used to overindulge in purine-rich meat and seafood.12‘Gout: Disease of the Kings.’ The Hand Society, www.assh.org/handcare/blog/gout-disease-of-the-kings.
