Aching Legs

Aching legs can be quite a trouble if you have long working hours. Find out what the underlying reasons maybe and what can you do about aching legs.

After a hard day's work, a deep slumber is all you want. But right when you are about to fall asleep, a shrieking pain in your legs, wakes you up with a start. Aching legs are quite a menace to deal with. There are numerous reasons for aching legs at night and at day time too. Aching legs and cramps are the most common complains by both children and the aged lot. Not always is the reason for aching legs a serious one. It may just be a small injury causing the pain or an exertion. However, if the ache persists, you surely need to get in touch with a doctor as soon as possible. Let's see what are the reasons and solutions for aching legs.

Aching Legs Causes

Firstly, aching legs can mean a pain in the foot, in the ankle, shin, hip pain, thigh pain or calf pain. Hence, the following article will cover all the areas in brief.

Ankle Pain

Ankle pain and heel pain can be a trouble for those who have to walk or stand for long hours. An ankle pain, can be a pain, for sportsmen too. The reasons for ankle pain during the day, or ankle pain at night are, ankle injury, ankle sprain, ankle strain, broken ankle, twisted ankle, tendinitis, Achilles tendinitis, Achilles bursitis, wearing incorrect footwear, gout, heel bone spur, bone fragments, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, poor blood circulation, nerve conditions, ligamentous strain or trauma and hypermobility syndrome. On a light note, fatigue can also be a reason for pain in the ankle.

Shin Pain

Shin pain is the most irritating kind of pain. It causes a massive distressing feeling and discomfort. The reasons for shin pain are diabetes, peripheral artery disease, peripheral nerve trauma, peripheral nerve compression, sciatica, cold, compartment syndrome, cerebrovascular accident, shin injury, referred sciatic pain, shin splints, tabes dorsalis, periostitis, retropatellar osteoarthritis, subperiosteal haematoma and hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy. Mere fatigue too can cause shin pain. Improper footwear, such as hard soles or heels often leads to aching legs at night. If the pain persists for long, see a doctor immediately.

Hip Pain

Various medical conditions relating to the hip can cause hip pain. Hip pain can make you immobile, and it may also cause discomfort while sitting, standing and walking. Hip pain can be intermittent or persistent. The reasons for hip pain are hip strain, hip fracture, hip injury, hip arthritis, joint pain, arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, hip bursitis, hip tendinitis, denerative joint disease, gout, dislocated hip, congenital hip dislocation, infective hip dislocation, hip subluxation, Perthes' disease, different length legs and pyogenic joint infection.

Thigh Pain

This condition is characterized by thigh pain. The reasons for thigh pain are, chronic osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, infected lipoma, osteosarcoma, rhadomyosarcoma, Ewing's tumour, referred pain of ureteric calculus, referred pain of strangulated femoral hernia, fracture of neck of femur, fracture of shaft of femur, iliotibial band syndrome, meralgia paresthetica and polymyalgia rheumatica.

Calf Pain

Calf muscle pain is characterized by pain in the lower leg. This pain erupts in the fleshy part of the lower leg, which leads to tingling and agony. The reasons for calf pain are calf muscle stiffness, calf muscle injury, torn muscle, circulation disorders, varicose veins, arterial thrombosis, cellulitis and ruptured Baker's cyst.

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Aching legs and feet can be due to cramping. Muscle cramps are a sign of low water intake and less amount of potassium, sodium, calcium or magnesium in the blood. If you are suffering from any of the above mentioned conditions, make sure that you abide by all the prescribed medications, because then the treatment plan will vary accordingly. Often, incorrect footwear is the main cause of the problem. Thus, make sure you invest in the right pair of shoes, to have happy feet! Take care!