Groin and Calf Pain in Females: Causes, Symptoms, and Effective Treatments
What are the common causes of groin and leg pain in women. How can pregnancy affect groin and leg discomfort. What treatment options are available for pelvic floor dysfunction. Why does fibromyalgia cause widespread pain. When should you seek medical attention for sciatica.
Understanding the Complexity of Groin and Leg Pain in Females
Groin and leg pain in females can stem from various sources, ranging from pregnancy-related issues to chronic conditions. This comprehensive guide explores the intricate web of potential causes, symptoms, and treatment options available for women experiencing discomfort in these areas.
Pregnancy-Related Groin and Leg Pain: Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction
Pregnancy often brings about significant changes in a woman’s body, including the potential for groin and leg pain. One common condition that affects pregnant women is Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD).
What is Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction?
SPD occurs when the ligaments responsible for aligning the pelvis stretch excessively, leading to pain and instability. This condition affects approximately 31.7% of pregnant women, according to a 2012 case report.
Symptoms of SPD
- Radiating shooting or stabbing pain in the lower abdomen
- Discomfort in the groin, back, thigh, and leg
- Pain in the perineum (area between the vulva and anus)
- Increased pain when changing positions, walking, or climbing stairs
Treatment Options for SPD
While SPD typically resolves on its own after pregnancy, several treatment options can help manage the symptoms:
- Soft tissue therapy (a type of massage)
- Pregnancy support belts
- Pelvic blocks
- Physical therapy
These treatments aim to alleviate discomfort and improve mobility during pregnancy. Pregnant women experiencing persistent pain should consult their healthcare provider for personalized advice.
Fibromyalgia: A Chronic Condition Affecting Groin and Leg Pain
Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that can significantly impact a woman’s quality of life, including causing discomfort in the groin and leg areas.
How does fibromyalgia affect the pelvic region?
Women with fibromyalgia often report bothersome pelvic floor symptoms and may experience pelvic pain. The condition is characterized by widespread muscle pain originating from specific tender points throughout the body.
Additional Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
- Fatigue
- Muscle and joint pain
- Difficulty concentrating
- Depression and anxiety
- Sleep disturbances
- Headaches
- Tingling sensations in hands and feet
- Facial and jaw pain
- Digestive issues (bloating, constipation, abdominal pain)
Effective Treatment Approaches for Fibromyalgia
Managing fibromyalgia often requires a multifaceted approach. Some effective treatment options include:
- Exercise: Regular physical activity can help alleviate pain and improve sleep quality.
- Medication: Over-the-counter painkillers, antidepressants, or anticonvulsants may be prescribed.
- Stress management techniques: Practices such as yoga and meditation can be beneficial.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This form of therapy can help address depression associated with fibromyalgia.
Is there a cure for fibromyalgia? While there is no definitive cure for fibromyalgia, these treatment approaches can significantly improve symptoms and quality of life for many patients.
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: A Common Cause of Groin and Leg Pain
The pelvic floor plays a crucial role in supporting the bladder and reproductive organs. When this area is weakened or damaged, it can lead to various symptoms, including groin and leg pain.
What factors contribute to pelvic floor dysfunction?
Several factors can weaken the pelvic floor, including:
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Aging
- Severe tears during delivery
- Chronic straining (e.g., constipation)
- Obesity
- Heavy lifting
Recognizing Symptoms of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
While some women with pelvic floor issues may not experience pain, others may encounter various symptoms:
- Lower back pain radiating to the thighs and groin
- Vaginal heaviness that worsens throughout the day
- Visible or palpable bulge from the vagina
- Difficulty urinating or frequent urges to urinate
- Pain during urination
Effective Treatment Options for Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Treatment for pelvic floor dysfunction often begins with conservative approaches:
- Pelvic floor exercises (Kegels)
- Physical therapy
- Biofeedback training
- Lifestyle modifications (e.g., dietary changes, weight management)
In severe cases or when conservative treatments fail, surgical intervention may be necessary. The specific treatment plan will depend on the underlying cause and severity of the dysfunction.
Sciatica: A Common Culprit Behind Leg Pain
Sciatica is a condition characterized by pain that originates in the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back down through the legs. This condition can cause significant discomfort and impact daily activities.
What causes sciatica?
Sciatica can result from various factors, including:
- Herniated disc
- Spinal stenosis
- Piriformis syndrome
- Degenerative disc disease
- Spondylolisthesis
- Trauma or injury
Identifying Sciatic Pain
Sciatic pain typically exhibits the following characteristics:
- Pain that extends from the lower back down one leg (occasionally both)
- Numbness or tingling sensations
- Burning or shooting pain
- Weakness in the affected leg
Treatment Approaches for Sciatica
The good news is that approximately 80-90% of sciatica cases improve over time without surgical intervention. Treatment options include:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain relief
- Physical therapy exercises
- Hot and cold therapy
- Gentle stretching
- Chiropractic care
When should you consider surgery for sciatica? If conservative treatments fail to provide relief after several weeks or if there are signs of severe nerve compression, surgical intervention may be recommended.
Diagnostic Approaches for Groin and Leg Pain in Females
Accurately diagnosing the cause of groin and leg pain in females often requires a comprehensive approach. Healthcare providers may employ various diagnostic tools and techniques to pinpoint the underlying issue.
Common Diagnostic Methods
- Physical examination
- Medical history review
- Imaging studies (X-rays, MRI, CT scans)
- Nerve conduction studies
- Blood tests
The specific diagnostic approach will depend on the suspected cause of pain and the patient’s individual symptoms and medical history.
When to Seek Medical Attention
While some causes of groin and leg pain may resolve on their own, certain symptoms warrant immediate medical attention:
- Severe or persistent pain
- Sudden onset of weakness or numbness
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Fever accompanying the pain
- Unexplained weight loss
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s crucial to consult a healthcare professional promptly.
Holistic Approaches to Managing Groin and Leg Pain
In addition to conventional medical treatments, many women find relief from groin and leg pain through holistic approaches. These complementary therapies can be used alongside traditional treatments to enhance overall well-being and pain management.
Effective Holistic Therapies
- Acupuncture
- Massage therapy
- Yoga and stretching
- Mindfulness meditation
- Herbal supplements (consult with a healthcare provider before use)
How can lifestyle modifications help manage groin and leg pain? Incorporating regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, practicing good posture, and managing stress can all contribute to reducing pain and improving overall health.
Preventing Groin and Leg Pain: Proactive Measures for Women’s Health
While not all causes of groin and leg pain can be prevented, there are several proactive steps women can take to reduce their risk and maintain optimal pelvic and leg health.
Preventive Strategies
- Regular exercise to strengthen core and pelvic floor muscles
- Maintaining a healthy weight to reduce strain on joints and muscles
- Practicing proper lifting techniques
- Staying hydrated and maintaining a balanced diet
- Avoiding prolonged periods of sitting or standing
- Using ergonomic furniture and supportive footwear
By incorporating these preventive measures into daily life, women can potentially reduce their risk of developing groin and leg pain or minimize the severity of existing conditions.
Understanding the various causes of groin and leg pain in females is crucial for effective management and treatment. From pregnancy-related issues to chronic conditions like fibromyalgia and pelvic floor dysfunction, the underlying causes can be diverse and complex. By recognizing symptoms, seeking appropriate medical care, and adopting holistic approaches to health, women can better navigate these challenging conditions and improve their overall quality of life.
Pain in groin and down leg in females: Causes and treatment
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Medical News Today only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.
Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:
- Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
- Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
- Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?
We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.
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Was this helpful?
Pain in the groin, upper thigh, and leg can cause severe discomfort. Possible causes include pregnancy, pelvic floor problems, sciatica, injuries, and more.
When pain in the groin extends down the leg, it can make sitting, walking, and other tasks uncomfortable. The type of pain a person has and when they experience it may give clues about the cause.
In this article, we look at the potential causes of pain in the groin and down the leg and their treatment options.
Share on PinterestPain in the groin and down the leg may occur during pregnancy or from a medical condition, including fibromyalgia.
Pregnancy can put pressure on the muscles.
Many pregnant women experience something called symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD). According to a 2012 case report, SPD occurs in 31.7% of pregnant women.
SPD happens when the ligaments that help align the pelvis stretch too much, causing pain and instability.
A person may feel a radiating shooting or stabbing pain in their lower abdomen, groin, back, thigh, leg, and perineum. The perineum is the area of skin between the scrotum or vulva and the anus.
SPD can get worse when a person changes position, walks, or climbs stairs.
Treatment
This kind of pain typically goes away on its own after pregnancy.
However, treatment options can include:
- soft tissue therapy, which is a type of massage
- pregnancy support belts
- pelvic blocks
- physical therapy
Pelvic blocks are available for purchase online.
Pregnancy support belts are available for purchase online.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fibromyalgia is a chronic pain that causes widespread muscle pain.
One 2015 article states that females with fibromyalgia report bothersome pelvic floor symptoms and may experience pelvic pain.
Fibromyalgia pain can originate at specific tender points throughout the body.
Other symptoms of fibromyalgia include:
- fatigue
- pain in the muscles and joints
- difficulty paying attention
- depression
- anxiety
- sleep problems
- headaches
- tingling in the hands and feet
- pain in the face and jaw
- digestive conditions, such as bloating, constipation, and abdominal pain
Treatment
Treatment options can include:
- Exercise: This can help with pain and improve sleep.
- Medication: A person may require over-the-counter painkillers or antidepressants and anticonvulsants.
- Stress management: Examples can include yoga and meditation.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): This can help with depression.
The pelvic floor helps support the bladder and reproductive organs.
Pregnancy, age, and some injuries, such as severe tears during childbirth, may weaken the pelvic floor.
Many females with pelvic floor issues experience no pain but have trouble holding in urine, especially when jumping or running.
Some people, however, experience lower back pain that can radiate to the thighs and groin.
There are different types of pelvic floor dysfunction, and symptoms can vary.
Some common symptoms can include:
- feeling vaginal heaviness that worsens during the day
- seeing or feeling a bulge coming out of the vagina
- difficult urinating
- a frequent need to urinate
- feeling pain while urinating
Treatment
Pelvic floor exercises and physical therapy may help. People with severe pelvic floor injuries may need surgery.
Learn about different treatment options for pelvic floor dysfunction here.
Sciatic pain originates in the sciatic nerve, which begins in the lower back and branches down the legs.
Sciatica can happen for many reasons, including a herniated disc, damage to structures surrounding the nerve, or diabetic nerve pain.
Sciatic pain usually extends down just one leg, though it is possible to feel it on both sides.
People may describe numbness, burning, or a sensation of pins and needles.
Treatment
Approximately 80–90% of people with sciatica get better over time without surgery, typically, within several weeks.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may help ease sciatic pain in the meantime.
When sciatica does not get better after a few weeks, a person may need physical therapy, injections, or surgery in more severe cases.
Myofascial pain syndrome is a chronic pain condition that causes pain that originates at trigger points.
These points may resemble hard muscle knots that are very painful to the touch.
The pain may radiate to other areas. For example, a person might have a hip trigger point that causes hip or groin pain that radiates down the legs.
Trigger point pain causes aching or throbbing. When a person massages trigger points, the pain may get very intense, or feel like burning.
Treatment
Massage, exercise, improving posture, and becoming more active may help.
It may also help to apply heat to the area where the pain originates.
Medications include steroids or muscle relaxants.
Other medical treatment options can include:
- Cold laser: A healthcare professional exposes the trigger point to low level infrared light.
- Dry needling: A healthcare professional inserts a needle into the trigger point.
- Wet needling: This is the same as dry needling but includes injecting a numbing agent or steroid.
- Electrical stimulation: A electrode causes the trigger point to rapidly contract.
Damage to the ligaments, tendons, or muscles surrounding the pelvis in females can cause pain at the site of the injury, and pain that radiates elsewhere.
An example is when a person with a hip strain experiences pain in the hip or groin, and pain radiating down the leg.
The pain usually feels achy, and ranges from mild to so intense the individual cannot sleep.
Treatment
Rest, ice, and elevation may help with soft tissue injury pain.
However, some more severe injuries require surgery or other medical treatment.
Diagnosing pain affecting the groin and legs in females can be challenging. This may be especially so if the person does not experience the pain while at the doctor’s office.
To diagnose the pain, a doctor might suggest:
- X-rays to look for bone and joint injuries
- imaging scans, such as an MRI
- bloodwork to look for signs of infection
A doctor will also ask questions about a person’s medical history, and sometimes about their family’s medical history.
It is important to tell a doctor about all symptoms, even those that might not seem related to the pain.
Mild pain in the leg and groin areas in females can go away on its own, and many soft tissue injuries heal without special intervention.
Aches and pains related to pregnancy usually ease after the birth, but a number of interventions during pregnancy may help.
People may wish to see a doctor if:
- The pain is intense enough to interfere with functioning.
- A person has other symptoms, such as a fever.
- The individual’s pain steadily gets worse.
- Treatment that a doctor recommends does not help.
- A person has sleep difficulties because of the pain.
It is sensible to go to the emergency room if:
- the pain follows a fall
- pain makes movement impossible
- any part of the body becomes numb
Pain in the groin can be alarming. In most cases, the pain is an inconvenience, not a sign of a serious health problem. That does not mean a person has to live with the discomfort.
A doctor can diagnose the cause and offer a wide range of treatment options, so do not delay care.
Pain in groin and down leg in females: Causes and treatment
We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Here’s our process.
Medical News Today only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.
Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:
- Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
- Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
- Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?
We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.
Read more about our vetting process.
Was this helpful?
Pain in the groin, upper thigh, and leg can cause severe discomfort. Possible causes include pregnancy, pelvic floor problems, sciatica, injuries, and more.
When pain in the groin extends down the leg, it can make sitting, walking, and other tasks uncomfortable. The type of pain a person has and when they experience it may give clues about the cause.
In this article, we look at the potential causes of pain in the groin and down the leg and their treatment options.
Share on PinterestPain in the groin and down the leg may occur during pregnancy or from a medical condition, including fibromyalgia.
Pregnancy can put pressure on the muscles.
Many pregnant women experience something called symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD). According to a 2012 case report, SPD occurs in 31.7% of pregnant women.
SPD happens when the ligaments that help align the pelvis stretch too much, causing pain and instability.
A person may feel a radiating shooting or stabbing pain in their lower abdomen, groin, back, thigh, leg, and perineum. The perineum is the area of skin between the scrotum or vulva and the anus.
SPD can get worse when a person changes position, walks, or climbs stairs.
Treatment
This kind of pain typically goes away on its own after pregnancy.
However, treatment options can include:
- soft tissue therapy, which is a type of massage
- pregnancy support belts
- pelvic blocks
- physical therapy
Pelvic blocks are available for purchase online.
Pregnancy support belts are available for purchase online.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fibromyalgia is a chronic pain that causes widespread muscle pain.
One 2015 article states that females with fibromyalgia report bothersome pelvic floor symptoms and may experience pelvic pain.
Fibromyalgia pain can originate at specific tender points throughout the body.
Other symptoms of fibromyalgia include:
- fatigue
- pain in the muscles and joints
- difficulty paying attention
- depression
- anxiety
- sleep problems
- headaches
- tingling in the hands and feet
- pain in the face and jaw
- digestive conditions, such as bloating, constipation, and abdominal pain
Treatment
Treatment options can include:
- Exercise: This can help with pain and improve sleep.
- Medication: A person may require over-the-counter painkillers or antidepressants and anticonvulsants.
- Stress management: Examples can include yoga and meditation.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): This can help with depression.
The pelvic floor helps support the bladder and reproductive organs.
Pregnancy, age, and some injuries, such as severe tears during childbirth, may weaken the pelvic floor.
Many females with pelvic floor issues experience no pain but have trouble holding in urine, especially when jumping or running.
Some people, however, experience lower back pain that can radiate to the thighs and groin.
There are different types of pelvic floor dysfunction, and symptoms can vary.
Some common symptoms can include:
- feeling vaginal heaviness that worsens during the day
- seeing or feeling a bulge coming out of the vagina
- difficult urinating
- a frequent need to urinate
- feeling pain while urinating
Treatment
Pelvic floor exercises and physical therapy may help. People with severe pelvic floor injuries may need surgery.
Learn about different treatment options for pelvic floor dysfunction here.
Sciatic pain originates in the sciatic nerve, which begins in the lower back and branches down the legs.
Sciatica can happen for many reasons, including a herniated disc, damage to structures surrounding the nerve, or diabetic nerve pain.
Sciatic pain usually extends down just one leg, though it is possible to feel it on both sides.
People may describe numbness, burning, or a sensation of pins and needles.
Treatment
Approximately 80–90% of people with sciatica get better over time without surgery, typically, within several weeks.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may help ease sciatic pain in the meantime.
When sciatica does not get better after a few weeks, a person may need physical therapy, injections, or surgery in more severe cases.
Myofascial pain syndrome is a chronic pain condition that causes pain that originates at trigger points.
These points may resemble hard muscle knots that are very painful to the touch.
The pain may radiate to other areas. For example, a person might have a hip trigger point that causes hip or groin pain that radiates down the legs.
Trigger point pain causes aching or throbbing. When a person massages trigger points, the pain may get very intense, or feel like burning.
Treatment
Massage, exercise, improving posture, and becoming more active may help.
It may also help to apply heat to the area where the pain originates.
Medications include steroids or muscle relaxants.
Other medical treatment options can include:
- Cold laser: A healthcare professional exposes the trigger point to low level infrared light.
- Dry needling: A healthcare professional inserts a needle into the trigger point.
- Wet needling: This is the same as dry needling but includes injecting a numbing agent or steroid.
- Electrical stimulation: A electrode causes the trigger point to rapidly contract.
Damage to the ligaments, tendons, or muscles surrounding the pelvis in females can cause pain at the site of the injury, and pain that radiates elsewhere.
An example is when a person with a hip strain experiences pain in the hip or groin, and pain radiating down the leg.
The pain usually feels achy, and ranges from mild to so intense the individual cannot sleep.
Treatment
Rest, ice, and elevation may help with soft tissue injury pain.
However, some more severe injuries require surgery or other medical treatment.
Diagnosing pain affecting the groin and legs in females can be challenging. This may be especially so if the person does not experience the pain while at the doctor’s office.
To diagnose the pain, a doctor might suggest:
- X-rays to look for bone and joint injuries
- imaging scans, such as an MRI
- bloodwork to look for signs of infection
A doctor will also ask questions about a person’s medical history, and sometimes about their family’s medical history.
It is important to tell a doctor about all symptoms, even those that might not seem related to the pain.
Mild pain in the leg and groin areas in females can go away on its own, and many soft tissue injuries heal without special intervention.
Aches and pains related to pregnancy usually ease after the birth, but a number of interventions during pregnancy may help.
People may wish to see a doctor if:
- The pain is intense enough to interfere with functioning.
- A person has other symptoms, such as a fever.
- The individual’s pain steadily gets worse.
- Treatment that a doctor recommends does not help.
- A person has sleep difficulties because of the pain.
It is sensible to go to the emergency room if:
- the pain follows a fall
- pain makes movement impossible
- any part of the body becomes numb
Pain in the groin can be alarming. In most cases, the pain is an inconvenience, not a sign of a serious health problem. That does not mean a person has to live with the discomfort.
A doctor can diagnose the cause and offer a wide range of treatment options, so do not delay care.
How and why the legs and calf muscles hurt
In this article we analyze the main types of pain, as well as the causes of these pains.
Contents of the article
Pain associated with neuralgia
Sharp pain in the gastrocnemius muscle
Pain with swelling
Pain with varicose veins
It is rather difficult to distinguish between all varieties of pain in the legs. We decided to look into this issue in more detail. There are 4 main types, each of which has its own symptoms. Consider how you can determine the disease by the nature of the pain of the lower extremities.
Pain associated with neuralgia
The first type – burning with pain on the back of the lower leg / thighs and radiating to the gluteal muscle. These sensations are mainly associated with neuralgia, that is, pinched nerves. Neurologists call this condition tunnel syndromes, when small nerves are pinched. These can be problems in the lumbosacral region, hernias, cysts, protrusions. Unfortunately, the phlebologist will not be able to solve them, you need to contact other specialists.
Sharp pain in the calf muscle
The second type, when a person walks, for example, 100, 200, 300 meters, and he needs to stop urgently. The pain in the calf muscle is so severe that he cannot continue walking. Similar sensations are associated with problems in the arteries. Such a disease is called obliterating atherosclerosis, when instead of a large lumen in the artery, the lumen becomes narrow due to the imposition of plaques in the vessel. Due to this, the right amount of blood does not enter the muscles when walking and tissue ischemia, muscle ischemia occurs. This causes discomfort when walking in the calf muscles. With such symptoms, you should immediately go to a vascular surgeon, do an ultrasound of the arteries of the lower extremities.
Pain with swelling
The third type is acute, sharp pain in the calf muscle in the thigh, accompanied by swelling. Such pain and swelling are asymmetrical, that is, they occur only on one leg. This type of pain may be due to deep vein thrombosis. A similar phenomenon is one of the most dangerous diseases regarding veins, so if there are such symptoms, you need to contact a phlebologist.
Why is this happening? With thrombosis, a thrombus forms, it stops in the vein and the blood flow simply ends. Blood flows through the arteries, but it no longer flows through the veins. This causes swelling, it presses on the skin and the leg, as it were, bursts. Nerve endings are also involved, hence the pain in the muscle, and the pain in the skin, which is felt due to swelling.
Varicose vein pain
There is also varicose pain. Veins do not have nerve endings and simply cannot hurt on their own. That is why people who have varicose veins do not go to the doctor for a very long time. They come only when the legs darken, swelling appears, ulcers open, there are some external signs of the disease. All this is involved in the process of skin changes and, accordingly, the nerve endings on the skin and in the subcutaneous fat already react.
The most important thing to understand for yourself is that you don’t have to delay, endure any kind of pain for a long time. If you have pain in your legs, you should definitely go to the doctor.
4 types of PAIN in the LEGS. How to understand the cause of pain?
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FAQ
➡️ What can cause leg pain?
Legs can hurt for various reasons. The most important among them are diseases of the vessels of the legs (varicose veins, thrombosis, obliterating atherosclerosis, thrombophlebitis), spine (osteochondrosis of the lumbar, hernia, nerve infringement), diseases of muscle tissues, as well as blood vessels.
➡️ How do legs hurt with varicose veins?
The pain associated with varicose veins varies depending on the stage of the disease. At first it looks like ordinary fatigue, then there is a strong burning sensation in the legs, after which a pulling pain. Cramps of the gastrocnemius muscle are also possible. The pain is also accompanied by external changes in the appearance of meshes, asterisks, and swelling.
➡️ How does the leg hurt with thrombophlebitis?
Edema not only causes difficulty while walking, discomfort, but is also quite dangerous. Complications are threatened not so much by the edema itself, as by the diseases that cause them. For example, if deep vein thrombosis with swelling is observed, complete immobility and even death are possible.
Pain in the legs with coronavirus – symptoms, causes, how to treat
This disease is treated by a neurologist.
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In addition to the general symptoms of COVID-19, patients often complain of leg pain with coronavirus, as well as severe swelling and discomfort that occurs after the illness. Common causes of a pathological condition are taking medications, dehydration and intoxication of the body, thrombosis (the main complication of a new coronavirus infection).
CMRT specialist says
Publication date: October 28, 2021
Verification date: February 03, 2023
All facts have been verified by a doctor.
Contents of the article
Why legs hurt after illness
How many days pain in the lower extremities can last
Muscle weakness and atrophy, pain, swelling of the legs after coronavirus in the absence of qualified medical care can persist for a long time, from one month to indefinite time, depending on the diagnosis, localization of violations. The virus infects the muscles, peripheral nervous system, joints, circulatory system.
Myalgia occurs in the calf or thigh muscles.
Pain in the knee, ankle or hip joints, also accompanied by local swelling and fever.
Thrombosis most often develops in one limb, characterized by swelling from the foot to the knee or thigh, discomfort, bursting pain and redness of the skin.
To establish the diagnosis and severity of lesions, complex diagnostics are required, including laboratory tests and instrumental studies.
What to do if your legs hurt after coronavirus
It is important not to self-medicate. This will only aggravate the condition and lead to irreversible consequences. The most correct decision is to seek medical help and undergo a comprehensive examination. Initially, it is necessary to consult a therapist, who, after the diagnosis, will issue a referral to the right specialist – a neurologist, phlebologist, vascular surgeon or orthopedist.
Lower limb thrombosis after coronavirus
The risk of thrombosis with coronavirus cannot be predicted. But in 30% of clinical cases, patients were diagnosed with thrombosis. Thrombosis risk factors are:
- severe covid-19
- cytokine storm
- history of cardiovascular disease
- exposure to bad habits
- sedentary lifestyle
90 109 overweight
Why does thrombosis occur with coronavirus?
The mechanism of thrombosis in patients with COVID-19 is associated with the following disorders:
- severe damage to the internal walls of blood vessels and endothelial dysfunction
- induction of platelet aggregation and increased blood clotting
- weakness, decreased range of motion and venous blood stasis 9011 0
Signs of thrombosis in coronavirus
The main criterion for diagnosing thrombosis of the lower extremities is the severity of edema. For example, the formation of a blood clot at the level of the thigh entails swelling from the thigh to the foot with a strong pain symptom.