Causes of Lower Leg Muscles Pain
Lower leg muscle pain can arise with a variety of abnormalities and conditions. The causes commonly involve the muscle tissue itself or the blood vessels and other structures associated with the muscles. Many causes of lower leg muscle pain are temporary and quickly resolve with home treatment. In some cases, lower leg muscle pain may indicate a medical emergency. Severe or rapidly increasing lower leg muscle pain warrants urgent medical evaluation.
Overexertion
Everyone occasionally experiences muscle pain and soreness caused by overexertion. This type of pain typically develops after engaging in activities to a greater extent than usual or participating in an activity not usually undertaken. Muscle pain caused by overexertion, or delayed onset muscle soreness, arises from microscopic injury to the muscle fibers, according to a 2002 article in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Activities that involve repetitive squatting, jumping or running commonly provoke delayed onset muscle soreness in the lower legs. Symptoms typically begin within 24 to 48 hours after the activity and resolve within one week.
- Everyone occasionally experiences muscle pain and soreness caused by overexertion.
- Activities that involve repetitive squatting, jumping or running commonly provoke delayed onset muscle soreness in the lower legs.
Muscle Contusion
Sore Muscles & Stair Climbing
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A muscle contusion, or bruise, occurs when a direct blow to the lower leg causes muscle bleeding. The area typically is tender to pressure and swells. Bleeding into the overlying skin causes a purple bruise. Rest and ice can help reduce pain and swelling. Although most muscle contusions represent minor injuries that heal without complications, a severe muscle contusion may require medical treatment, says the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
- A muscle contusion, or bruise, occurs when a direct blow to the lower leg causes muscle bleeding.
- The area typically is tender to pressure and swells.
Acute Compartment Syndrome
Rapid bleeding associated with a severe muscle contusion may lead to the development of acute compartment syndrome. With this condition, blood accumulation increases the pressure within the closed space that encompasses the muscles, blood vessels and nerves. High pressure within the compartment compresses the blood vessels, blocking flow. Loss of blood flow can rapidly progress to permanent tissue damage.
Acute compartment syndrome of the lower leg causes severe pain, which intensifies with when moving the toes, according to the National Library of Medicine encyclopedia Medline Plus. Other symptoms include firm swelling, skin tension and paleness, and decreased sensation in the affected area. Acute compartment syndrome usually requires surgery to open the compartment and relieve the internal pressure. Surgeons typically leave the skin wounds open until the swelling within the compartment resolves. The patient undergoes a second operation for wound closure.
- Rapid bleeding associated with a severe muscle contusion may lead to the development of acute compartment syndrome.
- Acute compartment syndrome usually requires surgery to open the compartment and relieve the internal pressure.
Peripheral Arterial Disease
Symptoms of Muscle, Leg & Shoulder Pain
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Peripheral arterial disease is a form of atherosclerosis, a condition in which fat builds up in the arteries, causing loss of elasticity and partially obstructed blood flow. Peripheral arterial disease most frequently affects the blood vessels of the legs, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. The most common symptom of peripheral arterial disease of the legs is claudication, aching or cramping in the leg muscles brought on by exercise. Claudication commonly affects the calf muscles. The pain of peripheral arterial disease typically resolves with rest. Smoking remains the leading risk factor for peripheral arterial disease.
- Peripheral arterial disease is a form of atherosclerosis, a condition in which fat builds up in the arteries, causing loss of elasticity and partially obstructed blood flow.
- The most common symptom of peripheral arterial disease of the legs is claudication, aching or cramping in the leg muscles brought on by exercise.
Related Articles
References
- Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Morphologic and Mechanical Basis of Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Muscle Contusion (Bruise)
- Medline Plus: Compartment Syndrome
- National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute: Peripheral Arterial Disease
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Compartment Syndrome
- Buerba RA, Fretes NF, Devana SK, Beck JJ. Chronic exertional compartment syndrome: current management strategies. Open Access J Sports Med. 2019;10:71–79. Published 2019 May 23. doi:10.2147/OAJSM.S168368
- Joyner MJ, Casey DP. Regulation of increased blood flow (hyperemia) to muscles during exercise: a hierarchy of competing physiological needs. Physiol Rev. 2015;95(2):549–601. doi:10.1152/physrev.00035.2013
- Chandwani D, Varacallo M. Exertional Compartment Syndrome. [Updated 2019 Jun 27]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2019 Jan-.
- Zimmermann WO, Hutchinson MR, Berg RVD, Hoencamp R, Backx FJG, Bakker EWP. Conservative treatment of anterior chronic exertional compartment syndrome in the military, with a mid-term follow-up. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine. 2019;5(1). doi:10.1136/bmjsem-2019-000532
- Fraipont MJ and Adamson GJ "Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome" J. Am. Acad. Ortho. Surg., July/August 2003; 11: 268 - 276.
Writer Bio
Dr. Tina M. St. John owns and operates a health communications and consulting firm. She is also an accomplished medical writer and editor, and was formerly a senior medical officer with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. St. John holds an M.D. from Emory University School of Medicine.