8 Conditions That Can Cause Leg Pain

Leg pain isn’t uncommon. Most of us have experienced the occasional dull, tired ache that comes after a long walk home. We seldom worry about this, choosing instead to treat it with home remedies. But a sudden sensation of sharp shooting pain in the leg that comes and goes can prove to be a source of concern, especially if it feels unusual.

There are several conditions that can cause shooting leg pain, both mild and severe. Often, we might ignore it, because we expect it to go away on its own. But sometimes, the cause is not as simple as we think. Not knowing when to be concerned could lead to serious, sometimes life-changing, consequences.

We must be aware of all possible reasons for shooting pain in lower leg. It is better to be cautious rather than dismissing any such discomfort and regretting it later.

Sharp shooting pain in the leg that comes and goes can be an indicator of many underlying conditions. In such a situation, leg pain is usually accompanied by other discomforting symptoms as well. Whether simple or serious, we must know all the possible causes of sharp shooting pain in the leg that comes and goes, so we can give necessary treatment, be it natural herbal remedies or medical procedures. Here is a list of eight conditions that can cause leg pain:

* Cramps

Cramps are an extremely common cause of leg pain. During cramps, the muscles of the leg contract, causing sudden shooting pain to spread under the skin. A visible lump of muscles may be seen, along with swelling and redness.

The exact cause of cramps is unknown but they are usually linked to muscle exertion, dehydration or the effect of certain medications. Cramps that are not the cause of any medical conditions will go away on their own with enough rest and care. Certain relaxation techniques can be applied to ease cramps.

* Leg Injuries

Any damage to the leg, including muscle or tendon injury could lead to pain as well. This is usually followed by apparent bruising and swelling. Stress fractures in the bones of the leg or inflammation of the knee could also be another cause. Do a check-up at your local hospital and take a few days off from work or school if necessary.

* Chronic exertional compartment syndrome

This is usually observed in athletes or people who regularly strain their leg muscles in physical activities like running, swimming or biking. This can cause some numbness in your leg. You may also experience difficulty in your ability to move your leg. Such sharp shooting pain that comes and goes will usually stop if you take a break from exercising and let your muscles recover.

* Sciatica

Sciatica is a condition in which a pinched nerve in the lower back leads to a sharp electric sensation that travels upwards and downwards your leg. Sciatica is usually a result of degenerative disk disease in which the disks in your spine slowly lose their ability to absorb shock over some time, causing a shift which in turn pinches a nerve.

Leg pain could be accompanied by back pain as well. It is hard to tell the difference between normal back pain and sciatica. Consult your doctor to get a proper diagnosis.

* Peripheral artery disease

Conditions of the heart can also affect your legs. PAD occurs due to narrowing of arteries. It’s symptoms usually are a sharp shooting pain in the leg that comes and goes, increasing when you use the stairs or walk, followed by numbers and a feeling of strange heaviness over the area. If you have wounds or sores on your legs that are healing slower than usual, they could indicate PAD

* Entrapment of popliteal artery

There is a pulse located in the part of your leg behind your knee. This pulse is linked to the popliteal artery which is responsible for major blood supply to the lower leg. Thus, a blockage in the artery can lead to a loss of circulation and sharp pain in rare cases. Find out how to detect the popliteal pulse, so that you know how to tell if it weakens.

* Diabetic neuropathy

This an effect of chronic diabetes. If you have diabetes, you might experience this numbing, sharp sensation from time to time. Make sure to check your legs for any signs of injury as this condition can lead to the inability to sense the presence of wounds.

* Cysts

Building up of fluid-filled cyst sacs in your leg can also be a possibility. You are more at risk of acquiring these if you are diabetic, overweight or a heavy smoker.