Why do legs below knees ache? The reasons for this unpleasant phenomenon will be described in this article. We will also tell you about how to get rid of this condition, and which doctor should be consulted.
Basic information
What to do if leg aches? The causes of such pain should be clarified necessarily, because without this it is impossible to choose the right and effective treatment.
Unpleasant sensations below the knees occur in many people. Very often they are associated with banal fatigue. However, it should be noted that this condition can be caused by serious health problems.
It is no secret to anyone that the lower limbs of a person are constantly under stress. With significant stress, the legs can be very sore and aching. But we should not forget that sometimes it is such a periodic discomfort that signals the dysfunction of certain systems or organs in the body.
Who to contact?
Which doctor should I contact if my leg aches? The causes of this pathological condition should be identified only by an experienced specialist. First you need to see a therapist. After the survey and examination, the doctor can refer the patient to a doctor with a narrower focus (for example, a vascular surgeon, nutritionist, rheumatologist, traumatologist). In this case, the patient is necessarily assigned to carry out such activities as x-rays, MRI, ultrasound and others. Also, for making a more accurate diagnosis, other research methods, including laboratory ones, can be used.
Foot aches: causes of discomfort
If such a problem arose, it is better not to put forward assumptions about its probable causes of development, but to contact a doctor immediately. This should be done in a timely manner. Indeed, only in this case there is a high probability to identify the presence of a particular dysfunction in the early stages, and then undergo simple therapeutic measures.
So why does the leg ache? The causes of this pathology may be in some diseases. Consider them right now.
Damage to the internal tissues of the lower extremities
What kind of pathology are we talking about if the legs below the knees ache? The causes of this phenomenon can be hidden in fractures, sprains, cracks, kneecap displacement and other injuries of internal tissues.
Especially often aching pains in the lower extremities are manifested with age, with repeated injuries, significant loads, meteorological changes. In this case, the area below the knees can ache closer in the evening or at night.
Obesity
Why do the joints of the legs ache constantly ? The reasons for such sensations are often associated with the presence of excess weight, which gives a serious load on the lower extremities and contributes to the development of concomitant diseases that affect the state of blood vessels and blood circulation in general.
Atherosclerosis
What diseases can accompany a person if his joints of arms and legs are constantly aching? The reasons for this are vascular pathologies, including atherosclerosis.
As you know, cholesterol deposits significantly worsen blood flow through the vessels, which increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and some other serious diseases.
Atherosclerosis is often accompanied by a symptom such as aching legs. At first, a person does not take this minor discomfort in the knees and elbows seriously. However, ignoring such signs, the course of the disease only worsens, and the pains become not aching, but sharp and quite strong.
Osteoporosis
What to assume if feet are aching at the knees? The reasons for such sensations are often associated with a deficiency of calcium in the human body. The lack of this element quite often leads to deformation of skeletal tissue.
Unpleasant sensations in osteoporosis can be not only aching, but also acute, especially if the disease has been started.
To exclude the development of such a serious disease, you should definitely consult a doctor and conduct a full diagnosis. It is strictly forbidden to engage in self-treatment, carry out various compresses or take calcium uncontrollably. It must be remembered that only a qualified specialist can carry out competent therapy of osteoporosis.
Deformation of the vessels of the lower extremities
Endarteritis is a disease that requires the immediate adoption of special medical measures. After all, the consequences of a neglected disease can be very deplorable (gangrene and subsequent amputation).
Arthritis
Why do arms and legs ache? The causes of such pain can be hidden in the development of arthritis.
As you know, almost all joint lesions negatively affect the musculoskeletal function of a person. The development of the disease in question can be indicated not only by aching, but also by acute pain, including below the patella. Arthritis is also characterized by swelling and other typical symptoms. With this disease, discomfort can be felt even without sudden movements and significant loads on the legs.
Flat feet
Why do the feet constantly ache? The reason for this pathological condition is very often associated with the usual change in the shape of the foot. Flat feet is found in many people. At the same time, most of them constantly feel rapid fatigue, lethargy and aching pains in the lower extremities, especially after a long walk.
It should also be noted that such feelings often appear due to various infections, inflammatory processes and complications that arose after the abnormalities in the body.
All unpleasant sensations in the legs that have developed due to a particular disease can occur day, night, evening and in the morning.
Diagnostics
In order to identify the causes of aching pain in the legs, a detailed examination of the patient should be carried out using various diagnostic methods. As the latter can be applied:
- computed and magnetic resonance imaging;
- radiography;
- clinical tests of urine and blood;
- Ultrasound of blood vessels;
- electromyography;
- blood biochemical parameters;
- angiography.
Feet ache: causes, treatment
About why the lower extremities can ache, we described above. After contacting a doctor and making a diagnosis, treatment should be started immediately. It may include methods such as:
- drug therapy;
- physiotherapy;
- massage and exercise therapy;
- operation.
Consider all of the above methods in more detail.
Drug treatment
What to do if leg calves ache ? The causes of this pathological phenomenon should be determined by an experienced doctor. After diagnosis, certain medications may be prescribed to the patient. Taking certain medications in this condition is the basis for the treatment of pain.
Depending on the origin of the discomfort, the patient may be prescribed completely different drugs. The following medicines are considered the most common:
- decongestants;
- anti-inflammatory and painkillers;
- muscle relaxants;
- trace elements (potassium, calcium and magnesium);
- B vitamins and vitamin D;
- improving microcirculation.
In the event that a patient has thrombosis, the use of antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants is required. In systemic diseases of the connective tissue, cytostatics and hormones are prescribed, and in case of diabetes mellitus - insulin or other hypoglycemic drugs.
Physical therapy and physiotherapy
According to experts, physiotherapy can provide an additional analgesic effect in the presence of many diseases, including with manifesting aching pain in the legs and arms. It should also be noted that such procedures help improve blood circulation, normalize the nervous trophism of tissues and eliminate the inflammatory process. It should be remembered that physiotherapy is contraindicated in the presence of tumors and systemic diseases.
Most often, the following methods are used as such therapeutic measures:
- laser treatment;
- phono- and electrophoresis;
- magnetotherapy;
- wave therapy;
- mud and paraffin treatment;
- other things.
We can not say that physical therapy is of great importance in the treatment of pathologies of the osteoarticular system. This is especially true in the rehabilitation of patients after injuries and in the treatment of arthrosis and arthritis.
With aching pain in the legs, it is necessary to start gymnastics as soon as possible in order to fully restore normal movements and prevent the possible development of contracture.
The use of various massage techniques can improve the condition of internal tissues in case of vascular disorders, neuropathies and osteochondrosis.
Surgical intervention
Surgery for aching pain in the legs is an extreme measure. As a rule, it becomes necessary in the treatment of acute vascular pathology, osteomyelitis, the consequences of severe injuries (for example, fractures, ruptures of muscles and ligaments), severe osteochondrosis and arthrosis.
In the process of surgical intervention, specialists are able to restore the anatomical relationships in the tissues, as well as excise pathologically altered areas.
Prevention of discomfort in the legs
Now you know for what reason aching pain can occur in the legs. We also told you about what methods specialists use to identify the presence of certain diseases and cure them in time.
In order not to bring their condition to deplorable, doctors recommend regular preventive measures in order to prevent the development of aching pain in the leg muscles. To do this, they recommend that you follow simple and affordable rules:
- It is very useful for the prevention of pain in the legs to lose weight, as well as constantly perform a certain set of exercises, which is aimed at preventing the development of serious vascular diseases, including varicose veins.
- With pathologies of blood vessels, arteries and veins, experts recommend adhering to a strict diet. As a rule, it limits the intake of fatty and cholesterol-rich foods.
- For diseases of the joints or spine, you should definitely contact a neurologist. The treatment of such pathologies can be lengthy and costly, therefore, timely examination and identification of certain diseases will help avoid painful running around the hospitals.
- To prevent the development of aching pain in the lower extremities, one should not stay in a static standing or sitting position for a long time. If this is required by your professional activity, it is recommended to regularly take breaks and workouts, as well as change the position of the body.
- Periodic exercises, which are aimed at strengthening the abdominal muscles, can relieve tension in the muscles of the lower back, which will significantly reduce the likelihood of developing radiating pain from the lower back to the legs.
Thus, observing all of the above rules, you can not only get rid of aching sensations in the legs or arms, but also prevent them from developing.