A large number of people are faced with a problem such as pain in the legs below the knees. Most often it is aching and pulling. Because of this, a person has discomfort and stiffness of movements. However, many patients treat these symptoms without seriousness. They think that this appears due to a hard working day or physical exertion. Of course, these factors will in any case lead to pain in the legs. However, quite often the syndrome described means any disease. In the article, we consider what can be the cause of the disease and how to treat it.
Causes of pain
Severe pain in the leg below the knee occurs even due to the simplest factors. For example, a long walk can cause it. However, in order to get rid of discomfort, you just need to relax. But if a person regularly has pain in the leg, then you need to seriously think about the causes. Next, we consider a list of sample factors that may affect the occurrence of such symptoms:
- Injuries and damage. Of course, if a person received any kind of injury, then it will bother him for a long time. However, over time, a sharp pain in the leg below the knee will pass. If you carry out the wrong treatment or do not bring it to the end, then the previously received injury will constantly remind of yourself. That is why, if a person received any damage, it is necessary to strictly follow the doctor’s instructions.
- Salt deficiency. Pain can also occur if there are not enough trace elements. The body needs magnesium, potassium, calcium and soda. Without them, the normal functioning of all organs is simply impossible. If there is any imbalance, then the body begins to show this with pain in the muscles of the legs below the knees. Unpleasant sensations can also occur in other parts of the body. There are even cases of seizures in the calf muscles. Most often, this ailment manifests itself at night, when a person is resting.
- Atherosclerosis obliterans. This disease lies in the fact that blood flow is disturbed in the lower leg. The vessels are narrowed. The most common symptom is pain in the legs below the knee. Often, she comes down to the foot. As a rule, such a syndrome appears due to exhausting walking or constant physical exercise. When the disease begins to progress, pain manifestations also worry during rest. Ulcers may also form, and the skin will begin to peel off. Nails are deformed. If no measures are taken, then the development of the disease can lead to necrosis. Also, the development of gangrene is not ruled out. As a result, such manifestations will lead to amputation of the limb. Therefore, with these symptoms, you should definitely consult a doctor. Basically, the therapist directs the patient for examination by a surgeon.
- Polyneuropathy. Often, this disease leads to diabetes. It affects bones, tissues, as well as nerves. Quite often, doctors fix the fact that one of the causes of pain in the legs below the knees is diabetes. If we are talking about the development of polyneuropathy, then a person will constantly feel burning pain in the limbs. The sensitivity of the limbs may decrease, numbness may occur.
- Vascular thrombosis. This disease is divided into two types: venous and arterial. Each of them proceeds completely differently. For example, an arterial disease develops rather quickly. In a few hours, pain and burning sensation in the leg below the knee appear, then it begins to go numb and wean. After the blood supply is disturbed, the skin color turns white. The pain is quite acute. In this situation, you should immediately call an ambulance, since with arterial thrombosis, the leg dies in just a few hours. Venous thrombosis develops in a few days. Among the symptoms should be noted severe and severe pain in the legs. Because of this, the patient may experience discomfort when walking. At 3-4 days, tissue necrosis begins, then gangrene develops. If there are similar symptoms, as well as pain in the legs below the knee, you should immediately consult a doctor.
- Another reason is varicose veins. This disease is the most common. Almost every woman is familiar with the symptoms of this pathology. One symptom is pain in the legs below the knee. Often the reason for this is high-heeled shoes, which is why veins expand. It should be noted that in the initial stages this disease is very difficult to notice. It may seem to the patient that he is simply experiencing weakness. Short-term convulsions are possible, as well as a manifestation of severe swelling.
Action tactics
Before you begin to understand how to treat pain in the leg below the knee, you need to determine the cause of their occurrence. The main thing is to correctly establish the diagnosis. In this case, that treatment will be prescribed that will cope with the causes of the appearance and the pain itself. As a rule, discomfort appears due to prolonged stress. Problems can occur even with regular walking. Many patients underestimate this, because they do not know that most often this is due to inflammation that has arisen. Also, one of the reasons can be called spinal problems. Unpleasant sensations may be due to the fact that the nerve roots are compressed. This is especially noticeable with a hernia, as well as osteochondrosis.
Often the pain does not accumulate at one point, it extends to a distance of up to 15 cm. This suggests that the person has a lesion in the muscular structures of the leg.
Smoking
It should be noted that very often smokers complain of pain in the legs below the knees in the calves. Their knees and feet may also become inflamed. In order to establish a diagnosis, it is necessary to visit a surgeon, an osteopath, as well as some other specialists. Sometimes the reason will help establish a neurologist. You should also check how the heart and blood vessels work.
Atherosclerosis of the limbs
If a person has a feeling of squeezing in the legs, then you should not wait until the symptoms pass by themselves. Over time, there will be increasing discomfort, and also a person may lose the ability to move. The disease is due to the fact that the patient has a disturbed blood flow. Most often, this pathology occurs in people who are diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and also in smokers. The hereditary factor also matters. In order to diagnose this disease, it is necessary to make blood biochemistry. It will allow you to find out the level of cholesterol, which will indicate the presence of atherosclerosis. In addition to the fact that pain may occur below the knee in the right leg or in the left leg, cramps can also occur.
Atherosclerosis Treatment
With the initial development of the disease, it manifests itself as vasospasm. However, over time, patients may notice that the pain appears in a relaxed state. That is why you should consult a doctor. For pain in the legs below the knees, the treatment will be comprehensive. You should use droppers with drugs "Actovegin", "Vasilip". If there is such a disease, doctors advise moving more. If an attack of pain occurs during movement, then you need to stop and wait until the symptom disappears. Then you should continue to go, but at a slower pace.
It is very important to follow a diet. It will have its own characteristics: reduced cholesterol intake, rejection of fatty meat, yolks, sausages and smoked meats. Do not use refined or refined oil. Otherwise, atherosclerotic plaques may appear.
Preparations
If a person’s leg hurts badly, then, as a rule, special medications are prescribed. It can be “Kolestid” or “Kholetar”. They are necessary in order to normalize cholesterol.
In the presence of diabetes, the doctor prescribes such drugs as “Clofibrate”, “Bezafibrat”. Thanks to them, you can reduce the content of triglycerides.
If the medication method does not help to cope with the problem, then the patient should visit a surgeon.
Varicose veins treatment
If the cause of pain in the leg below the knee in front or behind is varicose veins, then it is necessary to begin to treat it. Leave this disease unattended. If a person has a hereditary predisposition to the described problem, then a doctor should be examined at least 2 times a year. In this case, it is necessary to do an ultrasound of the veins.
Do not forget about compression therapy. Thanks to it, veins are reduced in diameter, blood flow is activated. They can additionally prescribe medications that can improve the tone of the veins. These are Vazobral, Glivenol, and others.
The main treatment for varicose veins is to have a phlebectomy. This is an operation that removes the veins that cause problems. Laser coagulation can also be performed. Thanks to this method, it is quite possible to get rid of problems, and without any incisions and surgical intervention. At the same time, being constantly in the hospital is not required.
You can apply radiofrequency coagulation, aimed at improving the condition of small and large saphenous veins. This procedure is performed under pain medication.
The modern method is sclerotherapy. A special drug is injected into the vein, which glues the walls of the veins.
Inflammation and their treatment
Many may be faced with the fact that the legs hurt both at rest and during physical exertion. This may be due to arthritis, bursitis, fasciitis, and so on. Each disease, if ignored, can lead to problems with limb mobility. Only a specialist can diagnose this. Such diseases can be manifested by pain, swelling. Hyperthermia may also occur.
In order to cure such diseases, it is necessary to identify the cause. Most often, edema, which is caused by bursitis, spreads to the muscles of the leg. Then a person feels both pain and heaviness. Diagnosis is by visual inspection. You can confirm it using ultrasound. In order to cure this disease, you need to drink an anti-inflammatory drug, as well as painkillers, for example, “Ibuprofen” or “Codeine”.
If we are talking about the development of arthritis, which affects the joint, it is urgent to consult a doctor. The fact is that, as a rule, such a disease occurs in two legs at once. In order to treat a patient, doctors use all the same painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. The physiotherapeutic procedure, which allows you to restore cartilage, is excellent in manifesting itself.
What to do with mechanical damage?
If a person has sprained a ligament, broken his leg, or else strained a muscle, then you need to see a doctor. These pathologies will also cause pain. Very often, with bruises, something cold should be applied, as well as bandaging the affected area. If this is not done, then the symptoms will appear for a rather long time, while it is not a fact that the person will be completely cured.
If you stretch your muscles or get a dislocation, you need to immobilize the leg. A plaster cast needs to be applied to the shin. A similar pattern of action is suitable for a fracture.
If muscle rupture occurs, then the patient should be prohibited from rising to his feet.
As a rule, drug treatment consists only in taking painkillers. You can drink "Paracetamol" or "Ibuprofen." If the tendon is damaged, then two joints must be immobilized. We are talking about the knee and ankle. It is forbidden to step on a leg that is damaged.
Prevention
As already clear, if pain in the leg is disturbed when walking below the knee, as well as at rest, this can indicate a large number of diseases. At the same time, they can be cured only by contacting a doctor. However, nevertheless, most often, such symptoms indicate an organism fatigue. In this case, it is necessary to adhere to certain tips that will completely eliminate unpleasant manifestations:
- You need to monitor your weight. If there are excess pounds, then they should be disposed of.
- You need to constantly engage in sports, in particular swimming. Thanks to him, the calf muscles will always be in good shape.
- Daily walks are also required. If possible, you should abandon tight and tight clothing. By the way, thanks to such advice, you can get rid of stagnation of blood in the legs.
- It is necessary to avoid the “foot to foot” position. Because of this, blood flow to the limbs decreases.
- You should also balance your own nutrition. It is hard to believe, however, one of the reasons for the appearance of pain in the bones of the legs below the knee is considered improper food. You need to drink more water, eat dairy products, eat fruits and vegetables.
- You should also constantly do gymnastics and exercises for the legs, which will allow you to develop joints and muscles.