Understanding Chronic Leg Pain
Pain is simply a sign of a larger problem. Leg pain is a common occurrence that everyone has experienced at some point in their lives. Chronic pain is defined as being present for longer than three months.
You could be suffering from persistent leg discomfort for a variety of causes. Chronic pain is a persistent aching that might be acute, stabbing, or dull. Chronic pain is typically caused by nerve, joint, or blood vessel disorders in one or both legs. The following are the most common causes of chronic leg pain:
Chronic Leg Pain Causes:
● Arthritis: Joint inflammation produces pain, edoema, and stiffness. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the most frequent kinds of arthritis. Osteoarthritis develops as a result of joint deterioration caused by wear and tear, injury, ageing, or misuse. In this disorder, cartilage wear and tear causes the bones to rub against the joints, causing irritation. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which our bodies target good cartilages, causing erosion and inflammation with symptoms of pain, stiffness, and swelling.
● Thrombophlebitis: A blood clot can cause vein edoema and inflammation. This is known as thrombophlebitis, and it is a relatively common ailment of the legs. Pain, soreness, warmth, redness, and swelling are some of the symptoms. Thrombophlebitis is defined as either superficial or deep vein thrombosis, with the latter being a more serious disease that requires prompt medical intervention.
● Plantar fasciitis is a condition that produces discomfort in the heel and sole of the foot. This is caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia (the structure that shapes our sole). This occurs as a result of overuse, such as in athletes or obese persons.
● Peripheral neuropathy: Damage to the nerves in the legs causes numbness and tingling at first, but can progress to pain later. Diabetes is the most common cause of peripheral neuropathy in the legs, however other factors such as renal illness and alcoholism can also result in peripheral neuropathy and consequent leg discomfort.
● Sciatica: The pain in this condition originates in the lower back and travels down the buttocks to the sciatic nerve in the back of the legs. This sort of discomfort is generally felt or worsened when people stand for an extended amount of time and tends to go away when they rest or stretch their legs.
● Peripheral artery disease: This is a group of circulatory diseases caused by arterial narrowing, which results in reduced blood flow to the extremities and chronic leg pain. It is more common in smokers and persons who are severely obese.
Chronic Leg Pain Symptoms:
Sharp, dull, scorching, or painful pain is possible.
Stiffness.
Numbness and tingling are common symptoms.
Cramps.
Tests And Diagnosis:
The leg pain is evaluated by asking the patient a series of questions about the situation. The physician also conducts a detailed evaluation of the patient’s past medical history. Following that, a thorough physical examination is undertaken to establish the source of the leg pain. The physician will next determine whether diagnostic testing, such as x-rays and blood tests, are required.
If the doctor detects an infection, blood tests such as WBC count, ESR, and CRP are conducted. If any additional medical problems are suspected, blood tests for those conditions are performed.
If a fracture or calcification in a joint is suspected, X-rays are taken. An ultrasound Doppler scan may be useful in the case of deep vein thrombosis. A CT scan may be conducted if a more extensive examination of the bones and joints is required. CT scans may also be useful in detecting concealed fractures. An MRI may be requested for a variety of reasons, including evaluating the back in the event of sciatica to evaluate the bones, joints, and soft tissues. Nerve conduction investigations are ordered by doctors to check nerve function. If joint inflammation is considered as the cause of the leg pain, the physician may order joint aspiration, in which case fluid is aspirated from the joint and sent for further study. In cases where a detailed examination of the arteries is required, an arteriogram or other similar tests may be recommended.
Chronic Leg Pain Treatment:
The treatment for leg discomfort is determined by the diagnosis. When the cause of the leg pain is determined, the treatment is aimed at both reducing the discomfort and treating the underlying problem.
Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications and prescription medications, adequate rest, and ice and heat packs are all common treatment modules, but each has its own limitations because most of them are aimed at symptomatic relief rather than curing the underlying disease.
Yoga and Ayurvedic massages and therapies are highly useful in pain management.
In Ayurveda, there are numerous therapies that try to reduce pain while also curing the underlying cause. The treatment is tailored to the patient’s individual diagnosis. These therapies are classified as local therapies, which provide pain relief while simultaneously contributing to the treatment of underlying disorders, and other panchakarma therapies, which eradicate the disease from its roots, providing pain relief.
Podikkizhi (Herbal powder massage), Ilakkaizhi (Herbal leaves massage), kativasthi (Pooling medicated oil in the back), Pizhichil (Pouring medicated oils as a stream), and Nhavarakkizhi (Massage with rice boiled in medicated milk) are some of the local remedies.
Kashaya Vasthi (enema with medicated decoctions), Ksheeravasthi (enema with medicated milk), and Sneha Vasthi (enenma with therapeutic oils) are examples of Panchakarma therapy. These therapies are particularly beneficial for pain relief and core muscle strengthening. They aid in the arrest and treatment of the underlying health disease rather than simply giving symptomatic relief, resulting in long-term alleviation with no side effects.
Weight management is also a critical component in the treatment of chronic leg pain.