Why do my legs hurt from the knees down?

Lower leg pain is common and It can have various origins, some linked to an overuse of the muscles in the area and others to factors such as injuries or circulatory problems. When it appears, many people wonder Why do my legs hurt from the knees down? Finding out the cause of the pain is key to applying the most appropriate treatment.

Why do my legs hurt from the knees down?

The lower leg is the one that goes from below the knee to the ankle and includes two bones: the tibia and the fibula.

The tibia is the largest bone and is located on the inside of the leg, while the fibula is on the outside. In the area there are also muscles, tendons, nerves and blood vessels.

A lower leg pain It can be linked to an injury or inflammation in any of the parts that form it and the most common causes include:

A leg injury or fracture due to a blow or bruise. For example, an ankle sprain or sprain. muscle overload It can cause a muscle cramp, a sudden, severe pain in your calf. It is usually due to intensive physical exercise, repetitive movements or dehydration. Some exercises, such as running on hard surfaces, are associated with an overload of the inner part of the shin (shin splints) that causes pain when walking, running, or jumping. It occurs especially in people with flat feet or arches with abnormal stiffness. inflammation or injury of the Achilles tendon It usually manifests with pain in the lower part of the calf, near the heel. It can occur from overexertion of the calf muscle or from common activities such as climbing stairs.Spinal problemssuch as a herniated disc or spinal stenosis, which can radiate pain to the legs.

But leg pain can also be due to other circulatory or vascular problems such as:

Blood clots, which occur when the blood in a vein thickens and pools. When they develop in a deep vein of the body we speak of Deep venous thrombosis, something that usually involves the lower leg or thigh. The risk of it increases when a person sits for a long time (for example, on a long flight) and is more likely in people who smoke, are overweight, and take certain medications. It is a situation that can become very serious and requires immediate medical attention. varicose veinsCaused by malfunctioning veins or valves, they can also cause severe pain, especially when standing up. Peripheral arterial disease It happens when the arteries in the legs narrow and harden, reducing blood flow to the area. It can cause cramps and pain.

When to see a doctor for leg pain

When lower leg pain is due to muscle strain or minor injury, it is most likely temporary and will go away on its own in a few days.

However, if the pain is persistent or accompanied by other symptomssuch as swelling, redness or numbness of the leg, it is important to see a doctor to determine the cause and establish the appropriate treatment.

Natural solutions to relieve leg pain

There are natural solutions that can help you relieve leg pain, especially if it is mild and due to temporary causes. Among the most effective are reposethe ice application for about 15 minutes on the painful area (never directly, you should wrap it in a cloth) or the leg raise.

Gently massage the area sore skin can also help relieve muscle tension and stiffness.

Also, when you no longer have much pain, the stretching exercises They can be helpful in improving flexibility and reducing muscle stiffness. Remember that stretching before doing physical exercise is essential to prevent injuries.

As far as food is concerned, it is advisable to add to the diet foods with anti-inflammatory properties like turmeric. On the other hand, stay well hydrated It will help you prevent muscle cramps.