As you get older, you may experience shooting leg pain. This is most commonly due to overuse and injury of the muscles and tendons. Depending on your daily habits and health, you may experience this more intensely than others.
Symptoms from overuse are normal and not life-threatening. Pain in your leg doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong. However, there are some conditions that symptomize with leg pain, so it’s important to keep an eye out for other more serious problems. Whatever the cause though, leg pain can be annoying and intrusive. Contact CRPM to schedule an appointment for Orange County pain management today!
Common Reasons for Shooting Leg Pain
A leg injury is the most common reason for pain, and the easiest to diagnose. You will certainly know if you did something to injure your leg. Working out or training can cause muscle strain and stress on the bones and ligaments.
For those with chronic injury issues, tendonitis can become a recurring problem. Shin splints are also another common word associated with injury or overuse of the leg muscles, specifically in the shin area. Muscle fatigue could lead to cramps as well. This intense and sudden pain happens when the muscles contract and tighten. It’s very uncomfortable, but nothing to be worried about. If you are able to trace your leg pain to an activity or event, then rest may be what the doctor ordered.
Medical Reasons for Leg Pain
There are three basic types of leg pain that happen due to medical reasons.
The first is musculoskeletal which is due to inflammation of the joints. Arthritis is part of this type, as well as gout. These conditions will cause pain and swelling in the joints, typically the hip or knee joint.
The second type is vascular. This pain is due to the arteries rather than the joints. One of the most common conditions in this bracket is DVT or deep vein thrombosis. DVT is caused by blood clots in the vein, which causes cramping and swelling. Infections in the leg, varicose veins, and diabetes are also apart of vascular leg pain. If the arteries in the leg don’t receive enough oxygen in the blood, you may also suffer from atherosclerosis. Poor blood circulation will cause a lot of problems in the veins of the legs.
The third type of leg pain is neurological. The cause of this type is due to nerve damage and can be symptomatic even when sleeping or resting. Restless leg syndrome is one of the most common conditions caused by neurological problems.
One final condition that could be linked to leg pain is ovarian cancer.
Treatment for Shooting Leg Pain
The biggest question for those suffering from shooting leg pain is: how do I make it better? For those stubborn cases, it’d be prudent to contact a professional. CRPM has qualified Orange County pain specialists who help you manage and eliminate any chronic pain you have.
But there are some at-home treatments you can try as well. Stretching and massaging the affected area is the safest and most efficient way to stop the pain. In fact, stretching can help prevent cramps and pains in the legs. Try adding a daily stretch routine every morning and night.
Also, staying hydrated helps prevent cramps. Most painkillers are ineffective with cramps and strains, so stretching is your best bet. If the pain is due to an injury, then following R.I.C.E. is recommended. This is an acronym that stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. The basic concept is to aid your body in its natural healing of the injury.
