Even when we aren’t particularly active, our legs certainly are. They allow us to move while providing bodily support. In fact, it’s estimated that every time we walk, our legs have to withstand between 2-3 times our body weight. It’s no wonder then that leg pain is incredibly common.
According to an extensive 2019 study carried out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it’s estimated that over 36% of participants had some degree of lower limb discomfort. So what should you do if you experience leg problems?
In this post, we’ll talk about why discomfort occurs and when to worry about leg pain. More importantly, we’ll discuss when you need to take action. But first, let’s debunk some of the myths.
While most lower limb discomfort results from wear and tear or overuse and is typically musculoskeletal, other forms of leg pain are associated with vascular problems. As a result, discomfort such as cramping, particularly during movement, could be one of the first signs of a condition called claudication, a precursor to peripheral artery disease (PAD). We’ll talk about what that is a little later. But first…
let’s talk about why and when you should be concerned.
As a general rule of thumb, if you:
then any leg pain or discomfort it’s likely to be a musculoskeletal condition and therefore is no particular cause for concern.
However, if you experience leg discomfort that:
then, it’s typically a sign of something more serious, meaning it’s advisable to take action sooner rather than later by seeking medical help.
We talked a little earlier about leg cramping that occurs when you exercise and ceases when you stop. This is often caused by a condition known as claudication and is something you need to be wary of.
Claudication itself is caused by too little blood flow reaching the extremities (particularly the lower limbs) and is usually a result of a widening problem known as peripheral artery disease (PAD). This is a condition where a build-up of fatty plaque causes the arteries or vessels to narrow or block, thus restricting the flow of blood from the heart towards the legs.
Signs and symptoms of claudication/PAD include:
If these problems are not treated and left to their own devices, then over time, it may not be possible to walk due to severe leg pain. But more importantly, claudication is linked to further health conditions like PAD, which greatly increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke.
For these reasons, when you experience leg pain such as those listed above and you aren’t aware of any musculoskeletal conditions, it’s important to take action sooner rather than later.
So now you know when to worry about leg pain, let’s discuss what can be done.
If you’ve been diagnosed with leg pain that is vascular and not musculoskeletal, there are several treatments or therapies that doctors can utilize and include:
A regular exercise routine
When a patient experiences leg pain that worsens when they move and eases when they rest, an exercise routine is probably the last thing they’d think of as a treatment type. But in truth, gentle exercise such as daily walking is proven to strengthen and improve circulation, while also helping to build new blood vessels.
New blood vessels are essential because they increase blood flow to the affected leg area while easing further discomfort.
As a result, patients diagnosed with claudication-associated leg pain are given a gentle supervised exercise program to complete like walking; while being encouraged to work through any discomfort.
Quitting smoking
If you’re a smoker then quitting can be a huge benefit to those with lower limb circulation problems. Did you know for example that blood circulation is known to dramatically improve within 2-12 weeks of someone stopping smoking? This is because the body starts to repair any damage immediately after quitting, leading to improved blood flow and a significantly reduced risk of heart disease.
In other cases, a vein specialist can carry out a series of minimally invasive treatments to improve lower limb circulation problems including:
A balloon angioplasty
This procedure involves placing a small catheter into the problem vein and inflating a balloon attached to the end. Once inflated, the balloon is designed to press any fatty plaque further against the arterial wall thus creating a larger (and clearer) channel for the blood to flow through.
Atherectomy
During an atherectomy, the specialist will use a small cutting or grinding device that once inserted into the vein, will remove any hardened fatty plaque that may otherwise restrict blood flow.
Stenting
In some cases, particularly after an atherectomy, the provider will also place a mesh stent into the artery after removing any plaque. The mesh is designed to widen the artery and hold it open at the same time. Doing so allows for greater blood flow to the lower limb.
Essentially, if you’re experiencing prolonged discomfort or pain, irrespective of whether it’s musculoskeletal or otherwise, it pays to seek medical assistance. Moreover, understanding the type of leg pain and its connotations will play a big part in determining whether you should seek help now or see how any discomfort pans out.
Most importantly, any symptoms that point to claudication or PAD should be treated as a priority and as a result, patients should look to get in touch with a vascular specialist for a consultation and diagnosis at the earliest opportunity.
Hopefully, this post has gone some way towards explaining when to worry about leg pain and when to take immediate action. If however, you want to learn more about the screening and treatment of claudication and PAD, call Dr Akinwande at the Midwest Institute of Non-Surgical Therapy (MINT).
As a highly experienced vascular and endovascular specialist, Dr. A. uses the latest non-surgical methods to restore vein health and relieve leg pain with minimal discomfort.
Don’t let prolonged leg pain ruin your quality of life. Get in touch at a convenient MINT location near you.
