What is the possible reason for your frequent leg pain?

The legs of the human body provide the vital functionality of daily locomotion. The leg muscles work with the adjoining bones and ligaments to help us move and support our weight. Now, what if you are facing acute leg pain- being a barrier in your daily activities?

Let’s look at some common causes that may inflict leg pain doctor Brooklyn, New York:-

• Muscle Cramp

If you’ve put excessive strain on your muscle or worked it too hard, it may tighten, leading to prolonged cramps. Strenuous exercise, dehydration, potassium deficiency, and sudden restriction in the blood supply are causes of such cramps.

• Tendinitis

Tendons may become inflamed due to extreme overuse or any injury that leads to tendinitis. Improper walking habits, infection, stress on soft tissues, and metabolic conditions such as diabetes may also cause tenderness around a joint.

• Shin Splints

Shin splints occur when stress is applied to the shin bone or tibia. Sudden excessive intense exercise, using unsupportive shoes, running on uneven surfaces, and not stretching before exercise commonly induce them.

•  Stress Fracture

While playing your favorite rigorous sport, you may have caused yourself a stress fracture, i.e. tiny cracks in your bones, which are developed if not paid attention to an earlier bruise. Other causes include low levels of Vitamin D, worn-out footwear, and low energy intake.

•  Peripheral Artery Disease

The build-up of fatty plaque in the arteries can restrict smooth blood flow to the legs since they make the arteries narrow. It may have risk factors associated with it if you have high cholesterol, hypertension, are obese, or of increasing age after 65.

•  Deep vein thrombosis

Not only do rigorous movements or intense activities cause leg pain, but sometimes being sedentary for too long may induce a blood clot to occur in the deep veins of the legs.

•  Cellulitis

If you leave a cut open without attending to it, bacteria will probably enter the wound, causing an infection.

 

Most of these can be treated with proper self-care at home. You may immediately consult a doctor when your leg is swelling, becoming pale and blue, and none of the symptoms seem to recede after home treatment. You should consult a leg pain doctor in Brooklyn, New York, for medications, physical therapy, and steroid injections.

When is the right time to consult an arthritis doctor?

If you're starting to experience joint pain, swelling, or stiffness, you may be wondering if it's just a normal sign of aging or something more serious like arthritis. Arthritis is a broad term that covers over 100 different types of joint diseases and related conditions. While it's often associated with older adults, arthritis can strike at any age.

 

Early signs

Some of the early warning signs of arthritis include persistent or recurring pain and stiffness in the joints, swelling in one or more joints, and reduced range of motion in the affected joints. You may notice these symptoms are worse in the morning or after periods of inactivity. If over-the-counter medication like acetaminophen or anti-inflammatory drugs doesn't provide relief, it could be an indication that you need to consult a neck pain doctor Brooklyn New York.

 

When home care isn't enough

Many people try to manage mild arthritis symptoms on their own with remedies like hot and cold therapy, gentle stretches, weight management, and activity modification. However, there comes a point when self-care isn't enough. Consult a rheumatologist, a doctor who specializes in arthritis and related autoimmune and musculoskeletal disorders, if your symptoms:

• Persist for more than a few weeks 
• Don't improve with self-care 
• Worsen or cause disability 
• Include whole-body symptoms like fatigue, fever, or weight loss

 

Getting an accurate diagnosis

While the symptoms may seem straightforward, getting an accurate diagnosis of the specific type of arthritis is crucial for proper treatment. A rheumatologist will take a detailed medical history, perform a physical exam, and may order imaging tests and lab work.

From there, they can diagnose the type of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, psoriatic arthritis, or one of the many other forms. Each type requires a tailored treatment approach, so getting an expert evaluation is essential.

 

Don't wait too long

While some arthritis symptoms come and go, it's best not to delay seeing a rheumatologist if you suspect you have an inflammatory form of arthritis. Catching it early can help prevent permanent joint damage and disability down the line.

If your symptoms are impacting your daily life and quality of living, that's a sign it's time to consult an arthritis doctor Brooklyn New York.