Types of Leg Pain You Shouldn’t Ignore

Don’t ignore leg pain like Jack did! Jack was a very active 62-year-old man who loved to fish and play chess. He first noticed that the muscles in his leg would start hurting when he would walk across the parking lot from his car to the grocery store’s entrance. Then leg cramps started to impact Jack as he went out for his daily walk in his neighborhood with his friends. He would have to stop every 30 feet. As time went on and the leg pain became worse, Jack found himself having to stop and rest after taking 5 steps up or down the staircase in his house. He felt like his legs had stopped working and knew something must really be wrong, so he finally called his doctor. — There are many millions of people who experience the leg pain symptoms that Jack did. Today, we are sharing the types of leg pain you should not ignore and why it’s really important for you to not disregard them.

Leg Pain Could Indicate Vein or Artery Disease

Often, leg pain is misdiagnosed as simply muscle aches or arthritis. The reality is leg pain and cramps may be signs of a more serious underlying disease; therefore, you should discuss your leg challenges with a vascular specialist.
Leg pain or discomfort often occurs in the calves and thighs while exercising or while resting. What can cause this discomfort? Peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a common medical condition that impacts the blood flow in the lower area of the body, could be causing your leg pain. In addition to discomfort, issues with the circulatory system can cause hair loss, discoloration, leg fatigue, skin temperature changes and skin lesions or ulcers. Many of these symptoms, in conjunction with leg discomfort, can also be an indication of disease in your veins known as venous insufficiency disease.
**SPECIAL OFFER: Contact Maryland Vascular Specialists to take advantage of our 3-FOR-1 Vascular Screenings – Request An Appointment Today!

Peripheral Arterial Disease & Leg Pain

Each year, millions of people are diagnosed with peripheral arterial disease, which is often referred to as “poor circulation” because the plaque buildup in your artery reduces blood flow.
People who smoke, have diabetes, or have a family history of vascular disease, heart attack or stroke are at greater risk for PAD. If you have any of these risk factors and are experiencing leg pain, please get a diagnostic test at a certified vascular lab to determine if you have artery or vein disease. There is medical evidence that shows that people with PAD have a higher risk for heart disease, heart attack, amputation or stroke, so it is important to schedule an appointment with a vascular physician.

Chronic Venous Insufficiency & Leg Pain

Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) occurs when blood in your legs cannot flow back to your heart properly because the valves that push the blood are in a weakened state. This may cause the blood to ‘pool’ creating pressure in your veins, which may result in discoloration of your legs or feet, leg fatigue, swelling or discomfort.
If you are over 50 years old, are overweight or obese, smoke, live a sedentary life (with little activity), are pregnant, or work a job which requires you to sit or stand for lengthy periods of time, or have a family history of varicose veins, then you are at risk for chronic venous insufficiency.

Diabetics Shouldn’t Dismiss Leg Pain

Too often, diabetics confuse leg pain with neuropathy or the aging process – a burning or painful discomfort in the feet or thighs. If you or your loved one has diabetes, please do not dismiss leg pain or ‘stiffness’ as a normal sign of aging. It may be something more serious. Read our article ‘6 Ways to Prevent Diabetic-Related Vascular Challenges” to learn more.

Leg Pains You Should NOT Ignore

• Leg pain that doesn’t go away when you stop exercising
• Feelings of heaviness or fatigue
• Wounds that are not healing
• Redness, warmth or unusual tenderness
• Coldness in your leg or feet compared to other parts of the body

• Swelling in the legs or discoloration
• Pain in your calves, after long periods of sitting – such as traveling in a car; driving long distances and plane rides that are longer than two hours
• Hair loss on your legs
• Shortness of breath or chest pain

If you or your loved one has recurring leg pain or any of the symptoms above, schedule a consultation with a vascular specialist, as soon as possible. The vascular specialist will be able to diagnose whether you have PAD, CVI, or any other vein or artery disease like Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), and then prescribe an appropriate treatment plan.

Steps To Take If You Are Diagnosed with PAD or CVI

• Stop Smoking: If you are a smoker it’s now time to quit. Smoking is a major risk factor for PAD and CVI.
• Control Your Blood Pressure: High blood pressure is ‘the silent killer’ because it has no symptoms, but can increase the development of PAD and CVI.
• Control Your Cholesterol Levels: Keeping you cholesterol in a good range helps to prevent a buildup of plaque in the arteries, which reduces the blood’s flow.
• Manage Your Weight: If your BMI is 25 or higher, you are at a higher risk for heart disease. Contact a healthcare professional to learn healthy ways to manage your weight.
• Get Moving: Exercise can reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke. Did you know a 15-minute walk around the neighborhood adds years to your life?

SPECIAL OFFER: 3-FOR-1 VASCULAR DIAGNOSTIC SCREENINGS

Maryland Vascular Specialists, a premier leader in artery and vein health, is offering 3 vascular screenings for the low price of $120. Each of the 3 screening are quick, easy, painless and non-invasive. Screenings are important because vascular problems often don’t have symptoms, or most people are not aware of the symptoms related to vein and artery disease. Most importantly, a vascular screening can also help to save your life.
Each of our modern medical offices and vascular outpatient centers, in Maryland and Pennsylvania, provide a safe, convenient, comfortable environment, and our friendly staff helps to make you feel relaxed.
Click here to schedule your vascular screening at one of Maryland Vascular Specialists nationally accredited vascular laboratories today!

Why Do My Legs Hurt?: Jonathan J Ellichman, M.

D.: Vascular Surgeon

Listed below are different reasons why your legs may hurt

There are many different diagnoses associated with your leg pain. Some diagnoses are common everyday occurrences, and some include those common everyday occurrences as symptoms, but can be very serious and require medical attention.

Many times, people ignore leg pain or think that leg pain is common for their age and don’t think anything about it. If your body is aching or you have pain that is your body’s way of telling you something is wrong.

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

Perhaps one of the more serious conditions associated with leg pain is Peripheral Arterial Disease.

Peripheral Arterial Disease is a common circulatory problem caused by atherosclerosis or fatty deposits that build up on your artery walls and reduce blood flow to your legs or arms. Pain in your legs and other symptoms develop when your limbs are not able to get the blood needed to supply your muscles with oxygen. Peripheral Artery Disease is serious because it can lead to a heart attack, stroke, infections within the limbs, and possibly amputation.

Symptoms:

• Leg Cramps
• Legs feel weak
• Legs feel numb
• Legs feel cold
• Legs are an odd color
• Legs feel tight or tingly
• Sores on toes, feet, legs that will not heal

Risk Factors that increase your risk of developing Peripheral Arterial Disease:

• 50 years old or older
• History of diabetes
• History of high blood pressure or hypertension
• History of high cholesterol
• History of smoking

What to do:

If you are experiencing these symptoms you should seek the advice of a medical professional either your primary care doctor or a specialist like Dr. Jonathan Ellichman. Dr. Ellichman’s office will schedule a quick and non-invasive diagnosis consultation to determine if you have Peripheral Artery Disease and what treatments are available to you.

Click here to setup your appointment or call Dr. Ellichman’s office today (901) 259-2718.

5/5

“I was referred to Dr. Ellichman by my primary care physician. The staff and the Doctor exceeded my expectations! He was thorough and very thoughtful how he touched my legs. I simply thought they were Excellent and I felt very comfortable with what he asked of me.”

– W.B. IN COLLIERVILLE, TN

Read More Reviews

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Deep Vein Thrombosis is a blood clot in a vein, usually in your leg. Deep Vein Thrombosis is serious because if the clot breaks off it can then travel to your lungs and create serious issues.

SYMPTOMS:

• Leg Pain
• Swelling
• Warm Leg
• Redness

RISK FACTORS THAT INCREASE YOUR RISK OF DEVELOPING DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS:

• People who are experiencing the following or have a history of the following
• 60 years old or older
• Pregnant
• Overweight
• Smoking
• Heart Failure
• Inflammatory Bowl Disease
• Family History of Deep Vein Thrombosis
• Sitting for long periods of time

WHAT TO DO:

If you are experiencing these symptoms you should seek the advice of a medical professional either your primary care doctor or a specialist like Dr. Jonathan Ellichman. Dr. Ellichman’s office will schedule a quick and non-invasive diagnosis consultation to determine if you have Deep Vein Thrombosis and what treatments are available to you.

Click here to set up your appointment or call Dr. Ellichman’s office today (901) 259-2718.

Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are enlarged, swollen, and twisting veins that appear blue or dark purple.

SYMPTOMS:

• Visible blue or dark purple veins on legs
• Legs feel heavy
• Legs burn
• Legs throb
• Legs cramp

RISK FACTORS THAT INCREASE YOUR RISK OF DEVELOPING VARICOSE VEINS:

• Age – Risk increases with age
• Females are more likely to develop varicose veins
• Pregnancy
• Family History
• Obesity
• Standing or sitting for long periods of time

WHAT TO DO:

Losing weight, exercising and wearing compression socks may help varicose veins. Many times, varicose veins do not pose a threat other than being considered unsightly, but as with all circulatory issues complications can occur.

If you are concerned you should seek the advice of a medical professional, either your primary care doctor or a specialist like Dr. Jonathan Ellichman. Dr. Ellichman’s office will schedule a quick and non-invasive diagnosis consultation to determine what treatments are available to you.

Click here to set up your appointment or call Dr. Ellichman’s office today (901) 259-2718.

Spinal Stenosis

Spinal Stenosis happens when the spaces between the bones in your spine get narrow putting pressure on the nerves.

SYMPTOMS:

• Pain in legs
• Tingling in legs
• Numbness in legs
• Weakness in legs

RISK FACTORS THAT INCREASE YOUR RISK OF DEVELOPING SPINAL STENOSIS:

Age – 50 years old or older

WHAT TO DO:

Spinal stenosis is a serious condition that can lead to permanent nerve damage including paralysis and death. If you think you have spinal stenosis you should seek medical advice by seeing your primary care physician or a specialist such as Semmes-Murphy or Campbell Clinic.

Sciatica

Sciatica is a pinched nerve in your lower spine that can cause leg pain.

SYMPTOMS:

Leg pain described as a bad cramp or strong shooting pain that makes it hard to sit.

RISK FACTORS THAT INCREASE YOUR RISK OF SCIATICA:

• Age – as people age their risk increases
• Obesity
• Occupation – a job that requires twisting the back, back stress to do lifting or sitting for long periods of time
• Diabetes

WHAT TO DO:

If you think you have Sciatica you should seek medical advice from your primary care physician or a spine specialist such as Semmes-Murphy or Campbell Clinic.

Arthritis

Arthritis is a common condition that affects joints.

SYMPTOMS:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Stiffness

RISK FACTORS THAT INCREASE YOUR RISK OF ARTHRITIS:

• Family History
• Age – risk increases with age
• Females are more likely to get Arthritis
• Previous join injuries
• Obesity

WHAT TO DO:

If you think you have arthritis you should seek medical advice from your primary care physician.

Pulled Muscle

Muscles get pulled when they are stretched too far.

SYMPTOMS:

• Intense pain especially right after the injury occurs
• Area is tender to the touch

WHAT TO DO:

If you think you have a pulled muscle it is best to treat it with ice several times a day. Over the counter pain relievers can help ease the pain temporarily. If the pain does not get better after five days you should seek medical advice from your primary care physician.

Sprain

A sprain happens when you stretch or tear a ligament. Ligaments connect bone to bone.

SYMPTOMS:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Unable to put weight on it

WHAT TO DO:

If you think you have a sprain you should apply ice to the area serval times per day, rest the affected leg and elevate it when possible. You should also seek medical advice and possibly an x-ray to check for broken bones.

Muscle Cramps

Muscle cramps happen when one or more of your leg muscles suddenly constricts and gets tight. This happens to adults more as they age and instances can increase in hot weather if you don’t drink enough water.

SYMPTOMS:

• Sharp Pain
• Muscle constricts

WHAT TO DO:

Immediate relief may be achieved by walking. Drinking more water can help alleviate future cramping issues. If you have cramps often you should seek the medical advice of your primary care physician. Cramps can be a sign of Peripheral Arterial Disease. If you are over 50 years old and have cramps often you may also want to see a specialist like Dr. Jonathan Ellichman. Dr. Ellichman’s office will schedule a quick and non-invasive diagnosis consultation to determine if you have more serious issues causing your leg cramps and what treatments are available to you.

Click here to call setup your appointment or call Dr. Ellichman’s office today (901) 259-2718.

Shin Splints

Shin splints happen when muscles and tissues around your shin bone get inflamed. Shin splints are common in people that run a lot.

SYMPTOMS:

Pain in your shins

WHAT TO DO:

If you think you have shin splints apply ice to the area serval times per day and rest the affected leg when possible. If the pain persists for over 14 days, you should seek medical advice from your primary care physician.

Tendinitis

Tendinitis happens when tendons, the flexible cords that connect muscles to bones, become inflamed.

SYMPTOMS:

Pain in the hip, knee, or ankle especially when moving the affected joint.

WHAT TO DO:

If you think you have a sprain you should apply ice to the area serval times per day, rest the affected leg and elevate it when possible. You should also seek medical advice and possibly an x-ray to check for broken bones.

Meralgia Paresthetica

Meralgia Paresthetica is a nerve problem that causes pain, burning sensation, numbing or tingling in the upper thigh.

SYMPTOMS:

• Pain in upper thigh
• Burning Sensation in upper thigh
• Numbing in upper thigh
• Tingling in upper thigh

RISK FACTORS THAT INCREASE YOUR RISK MERALGIA PARESTHETICA:

• Pregnancy
• Overweight
• Diabetes
• Tight Clothes
• Scar Tissue in the groin area

WHAT TO DO:

If you are having pain, you should seek medical advice. Many times, over the counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can provide relief.

Leg pain

Pain in the leg – the causes of occurrence, in which diseases it occurs, diagnosis and methods of treatment.

The legs carry out supporting and motor functions, taking on the entire weight of the human body and at the same time allowing it to move easily and smoothly.

The slightest asymmetry in the ligamentous and muscular apparatus of the trunk and legs quickly leads to the development of pain syndromes.

Many vascular pathologies also affect the condition of the legs.

Varieties of pain in the legs

The nature of the pain is determined by the severity of the pathological process and the type of tissue that is affected by inflammation. If the pain is caused by diseases of the veins, then it has a pulling, breaking and bursting character. Muscle pain in myositis (muscle inflammation) is characterized by significant intensity, which increases with exercise, and weakens at rest. In addition, reflected pain that occurs with radiculopathy (radicular syndrome) is possible. For arthrosis, arthritis is characterized by dull pain, aggravated by walking. With gout, in addition to severe pain, there is a significant deformity of the joints.

Possible causes of pain in the legs

Pain in the leg can be the result of injury – bruise, fracture, sprained tendons, muscle rupture. So, ligament and tendon sprain occurs with a sharp movement in the joint, a fall, accompanied by varying degrees of damage to the connective tissue fibers.

Most often, sprains occur in the area of ​​the ankle or knee joint when jumping, running, playing sports, as well as with unequal leg lengths, when wearing improperly selected shoes or shoes with high heels.

Stretching is accompanied by severe pain with movement and swelling. With prolonged and mild exposure to a damaging factor, microtraumas may form, the symptoms of which appear gradually, which makes diagnosis difficult. Microtraumas include tendonitis (inflammation or tissue damage) of the calcaneal (Achilles) tendon, plantar (plantar) fasciitis, more often called a heel spur. Muscle rupture occurs when it is strongly and abruptly contracted or struck and is accompanied by hemorrhage and the inability to step on the foot.

An extensive list of diseases of the vessels of the legs is headed by varicose disease of the lower extremities (varicose veins) . Its causes are hereditary factors, obesity, hormonal disorders, unhealthy lifestyle, pregnancy. With this disease, the saphenous veins expand, and their walls become thinner. The syndrome of chronic venous insufficiency develops, which is characterized by a decrease in vascular tone, changes in the vascular walls and a decrease in blood flow in the veins. The first complaints of a patient with varicose veins are directed to the appearance of telangiectasias (spider veins) and reticular varicose veins (vascular networks). Then swelling occurs, which is accompanied by a feeling of heaviness and fullness in the muscles.

The severity of symptoms decreases with walking, and increases with static loads. Late manifestations of the disease include persistent edema, pigmentation, eczema, varicose ulcers.

Thrombophlebitis is characterized by inflammation of the venous wall and the formation of a thrombus in the vessel lumen. Most often, blood clots form in places of narrowing or confluence of veins – tributaries of the small and large saphenous veins and perforating veins. Throughout the inflamed area of ​​the vein, the skin turns red and becomes hot, there is swelling of the limb below the formed thrombus, burning sensations, fullness and pain appear. Thrombophlebitis can develop in highly tortuous veins, with an increase in the number of platelets in the blood. However, the most common cause of thrombophlebitis is varicose veins of the lower extremities.

Vessel thrombosis – the final stage of thrombophlebitis, accompanied by sharp pain in the leg, severe swelling, discoloration of the skin to bluish-purple. Especially dangerous are deep vein thrombosis, which can occur when the patient is in a supine position for a long time (after surgery, stroke, etc.). At the same time, the formation of a thrombus threatens to block the large veins of the lower extremities, and in case of its separation and advancement with blood flow, pulmonary embolism.

Quite often, the vascular cause of pain in the legs is obliterating atherosclerosis of the lower extremities . This is a slowly progressive disease, which is characterized by thickening of the inner walls of the arteries of the lower extremities due to the deposition of lipids on them (in violation of lipid metabolism) and the growth of connective tissue.

A decrease in blood flow below the area of ​​formation of atherosclerotic plaques leads to atrophy of muscles and subcutaneous fatty tissue, pain (especially when walking), legs become cold to the touch.

The final manifestation of the disease may be the development of dry or wet gangrene of the fingers and feet.

Diseases of the musculoskeletal system are always accompanied by pain in the legs. So, with diseases of the spine (osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernia, radiculopathy), pinching of the nerve roots leads to shooting pains over the entire surface of the leg. Pain in this case may be accompanied by burning and numbness of the limb.

Damage to the joints of the legs occurs with arthritis and arthrosis . In this case, the pathological process extends to the entire joint, including cartilage, the superficial part of the bone, ligaments, synovial membrane and muscles. As a result, the articular cartilage is destroyed with the formation of cracks and the formation of bone growths. Most often, this process affects the knee joints. Arthritis symptoms: pain, stiffness and limitation of movement, crunching when moving, change in gait. The pain is aggravated by walking and standing for a long time, and subsides at rest.

With a long-lasting pain syndrome, synovitis develops – inflammation of the joint membrane with accumulation of fluid in the joint bag. The pain at the same time intensifies and does not stop even at rest, there is a long morning stiffness in the joint. In the later stages, joint deformity occurs. The disease can develop due to infectious and autoimmune (gout) processes.

Pain in the leg can cause degenerative changes in the hip joint – coxarthrosis . If earlier this disease occurred mainly in elderly patients, then at present it is significantly “younger”.

The cause of damage to the hip joint is a violation of its blood supply, excessive load due to excess body weight and improperly selected shoes, curvature of the spine, genetic predisposition to dysplasia, systemic diseases (collagenosis) and infections.

Symptoms of coxarthrosis: pain, limitation of movement in the hip joint and change in gait. After rest, patients hardly begin to move, and with prolonged walking, the pain intensifies, which is manifested by lameness. Pain subsides at rest.

Erysipelas (erysipelas) is the most common infectious cause of pain in the legs. The disease is caused by hemolytic streptococcus, which can penetrate through damaged skin. Hypothermia, varicose veins, diabetes mellitus contribute to the development of pathology. As a rule, the disease begins acutely, with chills, a sharp increase in body temperature up to 38-40 ° C, headache.

After 1-2 days, local manifestations of erysipelas occur, which are characterized by clear uneven foci of redness.

The affected limb swells. Soreness of the lymph nodes, a burning sensation and fullness in the leg are noted. The formation of bubbles with transparent contents is possible.

Muscle disorders that can cause leg pain include myositis (inflammation of the muscle) and fibromyalgia (a complex disorder of muscle and joint pain). Doctors diagnose the latter disease by exclusion, since it is manifested by a number of symptoms: chronic widespread symmetrical pain, stiffness of movements, depression, sleep disturbances, and the presence of characteristic pain points. Most often, the disease is diagnosed in women aged 25-45 years.

Diagnostics and examination

X-rays are needed to diagnose traumatic fractures.

Which doctors to contact

If the pain arose after an injury, a consultation with a trauma surgeon is necessary; otherwise, the first visit should be
physician for referrals for examinations and tests. Further consultation may be required.
neurologist
surgeon-phlebologist, traumatologist, oncologist.

Treatment

Pain in the legs can be a symptom of a variety of diseases, the treatment of which will be determined only after diagnosis.

What to do

For any injury and overexertion that led to pain in the leg, it is necessary to ensure the rest of the limb before visiting a doctor. The same recommendation should be followed in case of redness and swelling of the leg, while immediately calling the doctor at home.

With vascular thrombosis, the time from diagnosis to treatment should be reduced to a minimum, otherwise adverse developments are possible.

Sources:

1. Clinical guidelines “Osteoporosis”. Developed by: Russian Association of Endocrinologists, Russian Association for Osteoporosis, Russian Association of Rheumatologists, Russian Association of Orthopedic Traumatologists, Russian Association of Gynecologists and Endocrinologists, Russian Association of Gerontologists and Geriatricians. – 2021.
2. Clinical recommendations “Coxarthrosis”. Developed by: Association of Traumatologists and Orthopedists of Russia, Association of Rheumatologists of Russia, All-Russian Public Organization Association of Rehabilitologists of Russia. – 2021.
3. Clinical recommendations “Gonarthrosis”. Developed by: Association of Traumatologists and Orthopedists of Russia, Association of Rheumatologists of Russia. – 2021.

IMPORTANT!

The information in this section should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, only the attending physician should prescribe diagnostic tests. For diagnosis and proper treatment, you should contact your doctor.
For a correct assessment of the results of your analyzes in dynamics, it is preferable to do studies in the same laboratory, since different laboratories may use different research methods and units of measurement to perform the same analyzes.

Why do my legs hurt?

Why do my legs hurt?

How often do we hear: “legs hurt”, “swell”, “they don’t walk in the evening”. Why is this happening? There can be many reasons!

Flat feet. One of the most common causes of leg pain in young people. The disease occurs due to flattening of the inner arch of the foot. Pain occurs when walking or standing for a long time. Outwardly, the foot for an inexperienced eye does not necessarily look “flat”. The diagnosis is made by a surgeon or orthopedist, who is referred for treatment – usually it is a correction of the daily routine, massage and physiotherapy exercises.

Varicose veins . Pain in the legs in the evenings and swelling of the legs – that’s what patients complain about. With this disease, you can not stand for a long time. Medications are also prescribed (for example, phlebodia, venarus, detralex). For some, tight bandaging of the legs or wearing special corrective knitwear helps. Radical treatment is surgical, when diseased veins are simply removed.

Arthritis . It is manifested by pain in the joints, impaired movement in them. The joint swells, the skin over it turns red, becomes hot to the touch. Often the body temperature rises. The patient feels weakness, weakness, drowsiness, sweating, complains of loss of appetite. Depending on the cause of arthritis, the picture and treatment of the disease may vary.

In infectious-allergic arthritis , small joints of the legs and arms are involved in the process, less often – knee and ankle joints. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs are prescribed: voltaren, diclofenac, indomethacin. Antibiotics kill microbes. In the future, the disease passes without a trace.

In rheumatoid arthritis the body begins to produce antibodies, as a result of which the connective tissue of the joint is destroyed. Hypothermia, stress, viral infections can provoke an illness. The risk of getting sick also increases during the period of hormonal changes in the body (during adolescence, during menopause, after childbirth).

Pain bothers patients more in the morning. A characteristic symptom of the disease is the so-called “morning stiffness of the joints”, in which the patient cannot bend and unbend the feet and fingers. By evening, the patient’s condition improves. Anti-inflammatory drugs, cytostatics and immunomodulators are usually used in the treatment. Often, anti-inflammatory drugs (usually adrenal hormones) are injected directly into the affected joints. In addition, painkillers and drugs are used to improve local blood flow.

Rheumatism usually occurs after a sore throat, exacerbation of chronic tonsillitis, less often after a cold. Rheumatism mostly affects young people. Appear fever, impaired health, weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite. In addition, patients complain of pain in the joints: knee, elbow, ankle.

Anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, voltaren, aspirin) are prescribed, in case of complications – glucocorticoids. In severe forms of heart damage, cardiac glycosides and antiarrhythmic drugs are used. Antibiotics are also prescribed, which have a detrimental effect on streptococcus.

Osteoarthritis . Under the age of 50, men are more likely to suffer from this disease, after 50 – women. Symptoms – damage to the joints of the knees, hands and feet. Pain can occur when walking, squatting, etc. It is often difficult for patients to start moving (the so-called “starting pains”). In the treatment, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (diclofenac, indomethacin), as well as chondroitin and glucosamine are used. Physiotherapy is effective.

Intermittent claudication is an ailment otherwise known as thromboangiitis obliterans. The disease often occurs in men aged 30-45 years. The cause is supposed to be a breakdown of the immune system and a special allergic mood of the body.

The disease with this complex name is rather unpleasant. It consists in the fact that a person begins to feel fatigue and heaviness in the legs, which increase when walking. The calf muscles are the most affected. Then join the tingling in the legs, intermittent lameness, pain in the legs, which remains at rest, including at night. Then trophic ulcers develop on the affected limbs. The skin does not heal for a long time, it hurts, gets wet. Ulcers are difficult to treat. In parallel with this, there may be weakness, fatigue, deterioration in well-being, a slight increase in temperature. The disease then worsens, then passes again, however, does not disappear without a trace. All of these phenomena are gradually increasing. Therefore, the goal of treatment is to prevent the further development of the disease.

The treatment of thromboangiitis obliterans requires patience from both the doctor and the patient. It is carried out comprehensively. Vasodilators are prescribed in the form of repeated courses, drugs that prevent increased blood clotting (heparin, aspirin, etc.), anti-inflammatory drugs. Some patients are helped by novocaine blockades, courses of hyperbaric oxygenation. In severe cases of the disease, adrenal cortex hormones are prescribed, but always in combination with vasodilators and anticoagulants (drugs that help thin the blood).

For evening fatigue
Sometimes healthy people have leg pain. For example, after a long walk, standing, long bus ride or flight. In this case, pain in the legs is usually accompanied by swelling.

In this case, doctors recommend limiting fluid intake, giving the legs an elevated position, cool foot baths with the addition of sea salt, chamomile, psyllium, linden flowers or contrast showers are good. Water procedures are well completed with a foot massage from the feet to the knees.

If swelling persists, Troxevasin ointment or Lyoton can be used. Usually this unpleasant condition passes within a day.

Olga SOROKINA, Candidate of Medical Sciences (Nizhny Novgorod).

All information in the article is advisory. Before medication
consult your doctor.