Leg pain in the back of the knee, thigh, calf: pulling, severe

Pain is one of the most unpleasant symptoms of many diseases. It is what deprives us of peace, worsens our ability to work, and colors everything around us in gloomy tones. And for even the happiest and sunniest day to be completely ruined, it is not at all necessary that the teeth, head or heart hurt. Even a not very strong pain in the back of the leg can throw a person off track, because not only is it terribly unpleasant, but the thought does not leave you as to what caused such an unwanted sensation.

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Causes pain in the back of the leg

Leg pain is not such a rare occurrence, because this part of the body bears the greatest load, which is experienced by bones, joints and muscles. It is often so difficult to understand what exactly has failed.

Non-pathological causes of pain in the back of the leg

In many cases, there is no need to look for a reason; it is enough to remember how many kilometers were walked during the day. Perhaps, your legs are simply tired from walking for a long time. In principle, the appearance of pain in the back of the leg can be associated not only with walking, but also with ordinary standing in one place. Legs often hurt in those who are forced to stand for a long time at work. In this case, it is worth sitting down for a few minutes and raising your legs, and the pain gradually goes away.

Oddly enough, leg pain can also occur from sedentary work. In this case, there is prolonged compression of muscles and nerves, resulting in muscle spasm, the manifestations of which are pain and cramps. In principle, something similar is experienced by a person who has fallen under rubble or who, as a result of severe poisoning or another situation, has fallen into a coma, and the soft tissues of his body and limbs have been under the pressure of his own motionless body for a long time.

Leg pain can also appear from a soft tissue bruise, which is also unlikely to surprise anyone. The same symptom accompanies other leg injuries: wounds, burns, fractures, dislocations, muscle tears, ligament sprains. In this case, pain is a normal physiological reaction of the body to external damage.

Sometimes the cause of pain is small bruises (hematomas) that appeared out of nowhere. Perhaps the person simply did not feel the injury, but it happens that spontaneous hematomas appear as a result of past injuries.

Legs can hurt even from the load exerted on them by your own body. With normal weight, such a phenomenon is not observed. But patients with a large body weight, especially with obesity, quite often complain of such a symptom as leg pain.

All of the above are considered risk factors for the occurrence of pain in the back of the leg, not associated with a specific pathology of muscles, nerves, blood vessels, joints, bones, etc. However, the occurrence of pain in the hip, knee or shin, which is chronic, most likely indicates some pathological process in the body.

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Various diseases as a cause of leg pain

Vascular pathologies. Pain in the back of the leg from fatigue is unlikely to be a cause for concern unless it occurs every day, which is likely to indicate a chronic venous disease, which we know as varicose veins.

But varicose veins are not the only vascular pathology that causes leg pain. Chronic arterial insufficiency of the lower extremities manifests itself in pain similar to that which a person feels after walking several kilometers. Only in this case, the pain appears much earlier or even at night, when a person is in bed.

A possible cause of leg pain is thrombophlebitis. This pathology involves inflammation of the venous wall with the formation of a clot (thrombus) on it, which worsens the patency of the vessel. This phenomenon can be observed both in superficial venous vessels (with varicose veins) and deep ones. In this case, severe pain in the calf muscle of the leg appears when bending the foot or pressing on the shin from behind.

Pain and swelling in the legs can also occur as a result of impaired lymph drainage (lymphostasis).

Inflammation of muscles and ligaments. This group of pathologies, characterized by pain in the legs from behind, includes:

• inflammation of muscle tissue (myositis) and other myopathies (polymyositis, dermatomyositis, etc.),
• inflammatory process in the muscle-tendon area (myoenthesitis),
• inflammation of the tissues around the tendon (paratenonitis),
• inflammation at the site where tendons attach to bones (insertitis).

A frequent cause of the development of many pathologies of this plan is a heavy load on the legs for a long time. However, hypothermia, infections, intoxications and other provoking factors can also contribute to the development of the disease. However, some myopathies themselves are a symptom of autoimmune pathologies.

Painful sensations during inflammation of muscles and joints are localized directly in the area where the inflammatory process is taking place.

Infectious diseases. Pain in the leg muscles and their weakness are often observed in viral pathologies, such as influenza, acute respiratory viral infections, etc. However, this symptom is not dangerous and disappears as the patient recovers.

But there are other infectious pathologies in which leg pain signals the onset of the disease. For example, a pathology caused by streptococcal infection, with the unattractive name of "erysipelas". Leg pain and headaches in this case appear earlier than the first external manifestations.

With osteomyelitis, which is considered a purulent infection that damages mainly bone tissue, periosteum and bone marrow, leg pain is observed on the 2nd or 3rd day along with tissue edema. The cause of the pathology is myco- and pyobacteria.

Joint diseases. This is an inflammatory pathology affecting the joints of the upper and lower extremities (arthritis). Pain in the knee and ankle joints can be observed with osteoarthritis, gouty and rheumatoid arthritis. Severe pain occurs when walking or running.

Neuropathies of the lower extremities. Severe pain in different parts of the lower extremity can be caused by neuralgia of the peripheral nerves (usually the lower leg) or osteochondrosis affecting the lumbosacral region (upper leg). Severe pain in the back of the leg in this case is observed with sudden movements or lifting weights, intensifying during movement.

Severe pain in the upper leg can be felt when the sciatic nerve is affected.

Other causes of leg pain. Pain in the lower extremities, differing in nature and localization, can be experienced with metabolic diseases. People who have a violation of the water-electrolyte balance complain of pain in the leg muscles. Pain in the legs and feet is considered one of the symptoms of such a complication of diabetes as diabetic polyneuropathy. A lack of vitamins and microelements can cause cramps and nagging pain in the legs.

Leg pain is also observed in tumor processes in tissues (the pain is localized at the site of the tumor, is constant, and intensifies at night), with flat feet (rapid fatigue, pain, and heaviness in the leg muscles are observed), and with tuberculosis of the joints (pain in the area of large joints of the lower extremities).

During inflammatory processes in the subcutaneous fat tissue, nodules are formed in it, which compress the nerve fibers and blood vessels. At the beginning of the disease, muscle pain and tension are observed, the acute course is also characterized by pain in the joints.

Pathogenesis

The wide variety of pathological and non-pathological causes of pain in the back of the leg does not allow us to determine the general mechanism of pain. Even the fact that such pains are of different nature (sharp, stabbing, pulling, intense, weak, etc.) suggests that the pathogenesis of this symptom should be considered in relation to a specific situation or pathology.

For example, with heavy loads, compression and overfatigue of the legs, the cause of pain is lactic acid, which stops being excreted from the muscles due to circulatory disorders and tissue hypoxia. In this case, the pain can be both aching and sharp, stabbing.

When the lower limbs are injured, nerves, blood vessels, and the muscles themselves can be damaged, the spasm of which we feel as pain.

In vascular pathologies, we have a case of damage to blood vessels, which always causes circulatory disorders and oxygen deficiency in tissues. In this case, not only the vessels suffer, but also the nerves and muscles, hence the cramps and pain in the legs.

Neurological diseases are characterized by damage to the nerves that provide the body with sensitivity. It is clear that any negative impact on the nerve fibers will be reflected by pain localized along their course.

Inflammatory processes in muscles and joints are always accompanied by their enlargement and compaction, which is why they begin to compress the nerves passing nearby.

As we can see, in the end it all comes down to nerves. Any irritation of nerve endings, of which there are a great many in the extremities, causes pain. And it doesn’t matter what it is caused by: trauma, hypoxia, mechanical or thermal impact.

Despite the fact that pain is a nervous reaction, statistics insist that in most cases pain in the back of the leg is still associated with vascular pathologies, and both legs hurt more often than one. In second place are nerve and muscle damage.

Leg pain is more common in adults who are heavier than children and have additional baggage in the form of various health problems. The likelihood of encountering the problem of pain in the lower extremities is higher in people who, due to their professional duties, are forced to stand or sit in one position for a long time.

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Symptoms

Depending on the location and nature of the pain, this symptom may indicate various pathologies. It is worth listening carefully to your feelings, and they can tell you a lot.

For example, pain in the leg behind the knee is one of the most common complaints of athletes and people suffering from musculoskeletal pathologies. There can be a great many reasons for such pain, but most often it is associated with either an injury (meniscus damage, stretching, ligament rupture) or an inflammatory process in the tendons of the knee joint. A separate line is varicose veins, in which the pain has a pulling or pulsating character and intensifies not during movement, but in a static position.

Aching pain behind the knee most likely indicates an inflammatory process in the joint ( rheumatoid arthritis, arthrosis) or a benign tumor process (Baker's cyst). Although sometimes aching pain can be caused by an ordinary bruise.

A low-intensity nagging pain under the knee is also observed in vascular pathologies and osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region. But in general, if there is a nagging pain in the leg from behind, the patient is first referred to a neurologist, since this symptom is more characteristic of neurological pathologies. The pain in this case spreads in the direction of the affected nerve.

Sharp pain is typical for most serious pathologies of a traumatic nature. By the way, when a Baker's cyst ruptures, minor aching pain can also turn into a strong and sharp one. Acute pain can be a symptom of a meniscus rupture or radicular syndrome.

In case of vascular pathologies, pain under the knee is felt more strongly when sitting or standing; other pathologies are characterized by the fact that pain in the back of the leg under the knee becomes more severe when walking.

Severe pain behind the knee when bending the leg most likely indicates that there is some damage to the joint structure, tendon stretching, microdamage to tissues. If bending and unbending the leg is accompanied by a crunch, everything points to joint dystrophy (arthritis, arthrosis).

Pain in the leg in the hip from behind is most often associated with lumbosacral osteochondrosis. The pain spreads along the sciatic nerve (along the back of the thigh), often occurring suddenly. However, we must not forget about the accompanying symptoms.

Pain in the leg in the calf from behind can be caused by most of the above pathologies. Acute pain in the calf can be observed with muscle and ligament ruptures, with fractures. Throbbing pain in the shins is typical for varicose veins. With inflammation of the muscles and ligaments, aching pain is noted.

Leg pain may be felt not in the calf itself, but above the heel at the back. In this case, we are most likely talking about the result of a negative impact on the Achilles tendon. Professional athletes, patients with flat feet, and women who prefer high-heeled shoes often complain of such pain. However, sometimes pain in the Achilles tendon area can be provoked by wearing tight shoes.

Pain in the left leg from behind can be the first sign of many diseases: varicose veins and thrombophlebitis, erysipelas, inflammation in the sciatic nerve, muscles and tendons of this leg, other lesions of the peripheral nerves (for example, due to problems with the spine). Pain in the left leg can occur as a result of injuries, wearing uncomfortable shoes, heavy loads on the leg during sports or as a result of performing professional duties.

Pain in the right leg from behind most often has the same causes. In this case, vascular diseases (atherosclerosis of blood vessels, varicose veins, thrombosis, etc.) are in first place. The second position in prevalence is occupied by pathologies of the spine (osteochondrosis in the lumbar region, spondylolysis, spondylitis, herniated disc, tumor processes of the spinal column). In this case, pain can be localized both at the back and on the side of the leg.

Next come inflammatory pathologies of muscles and tendons, neuralgia, joint diseases, diabetes, etc. Severe and prolonged pain in the legs from behind can be a symptom of osteomyelitis or another disease of bone tissue.

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Diagnostics pain in the back of the leg

If a symptom such as pain in the back of the leg does not give rest for several days, it is unlikely to be the result of overwork (except for cases when heavy load on the legs is regular), and therefore it is necessary to look for the cause of pain in the state of the body. Most likely, the pain is caused by some pathology that the person may not know about. A doctor will help clarify the situation in this case. Another question is, which doctor to contact for advice and help?

To begin with, of course, it is worth visiting a therapist or traumatologist, depending on the suspected cause of the pain. If the pain was preceded by an injury, you should definitely visit a traumatologist. The therapist, in turn, after examining the patient, studying his complaints and some special studies, will refer him for a consultation with one of the specialists: a neurologist, rheumatologist, infectious disease specialist, surgeon, oncologist, vascular surgeon, etc.

In most cases, the first doctor that patients turn to for help is still a general practitioner, who listens carefully to the patient’s complaints, clarifies certain points, conducts a physical examination and prescribes diagnostic tests.

Questions that the doctor will ask during the initial appointment:

• in what part of the leg do you feel pain,
• what preceded the appearance of pain in the back of the leg,
• what is the nature of the pain,
• the symptom is present constantly or only in certain situations,
• does the pain increase in bad weather, at night, when walking or bending the leg,
• the pain is localized only in one leg or both limbs hurt,
• Are there any other unusual symptoms (fever, swelling and hyperemia of tissues, swelling of veins, pain in other parts of the body).

The doctor examines the affected limb, palpates it, checks reflexes and motor activity using tapping and special tests. The patient is also prescribed standard blood and urine tests, which will show the presence of inflammation in the body, provide information on blood clotting and predisposition to thrombosis, and on the condition of the kidneys (information is important for the safe administration of medications).

Instrumental diagnostics are prescribed either by a therapist or by a specialist to whom the therapist has referred based on a preliminary diagnosis.

Since pain in the back of the leg can be caused by a large number of pathologies of a diverse nature, various diagnostic methods can be used to find the truth using appropriate equipment:

• Ultrasound of the lower extremities (prescribed if vascular pathologies or tumor processes are suspected) and, if necessary, of the pelvic organs.
• X-ray of the lower extremities (usually prescribed for injuries and joint pathologies) and the spine, depending on the preliminary diagnosis.
• Veno- and arteriography, duplex angioscanning are indicated for pathologies of the vascular system.
• MRI will tell you about the condition of not only the blood vessels, but also the cartilage and bones.
• Scintigraphy is prescribed if there is a suspicion of diseases of the skeletal system.

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Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnostics should be carried out on the basis of the patient's examination by a therapist, the results of laboratory and instrumental studies, and the conclusions of specialized doctors. Unfortunately, often everything is limited to an examination by a therapist and a neurologist, who prescribe a variety of necessary and unnecessary studies, and then make one of the popular preliminary diagnoses: varicose veins, arthrosis, osteochondrosis, obliterating atherosclerosis, etc., which allows the patient to be referred to surgeons.

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Treatment pain in the back of the leg

There is no general scheme for both diagnosis and treatment of back leg pain that is effective for various diseases and conditions. If the pain is caused by tired legs, then the best way to get rid of the discomfort is to rest. In this case, it is best to elevate your legs.

You can relieve unpleasant symptoms with the help of various ointments for tired legs, which are sold both in pharmacies and in the cosmetics departments of department stores. There are such products among the products of many popular cosmetic brands.

This treatment will help with pains of a non-pathological nature. If this symptom is a sign of some disease, then it is not so much the pain that needs to be treated, but the disease itself. And here there are no general recommendations.

If we are talking about such a popular leg pathology as varicose veins, then at the initial stage of the disease, therapy is carried out using external agents: creams and ointments that have a resorptive effect (heparin-based agents), relieve pain and strengthen blood vessels (Venital, Troxevasin), relieve inflammation and swelling (Voltaren, Fastum-gel, Celestoderm, etc.).

For internal use and injections, drugs are used that stimulate blood flow and increase the vascular walls (Angistax, Detralex), anticoagulants that reduce blood viscosity and prevent the formation of blood clots (Aspirin, Venolaif), anti-inflammatory painkillers (Diclofenac, Indomethacin).

Among the methods of physiotherapy are hydrotherapy, leech therapy, laser therapy. Wearing compression underwear is useful.

Surgical treatment: phlebectomy and removal of blood clots.

Treatment for venous thrombosis is identical to that for varicose veins, but here the emphasis is more on taking thrombolytic drugs and medications that dissolve blood clots, as well as medications that prevent the formation of new clots. The addition of an infection additionally requires the prescription of antibiotics. In addition, bed rest is recommended, which reduces the load on the sore legs.

In case of atherosclerosis of the vessels of the lower extremities, the list of medications, procedures and requirements is even longer. The main drugs are bile acid sequestrants (Colestipol, Quantalan), statins (Simvastatin, Pravastatin), fibrates (Clofibrate, Bezafibrate), nicotinic acid preparations (vitamin PP). All these drugs reduce blood cholesterol, however, in different ways.

Additionally, thrombolytics, heart medications that improve peripheral circulation (usually "Pentoxifylline"), anticoagulants that thin the blood, antispasmodics that relieve spasms and pain, vasodilators, and medications that improve tissue trophism are prescribed. If ulcers appear, antibiotic ointments are prescribed.

Surgical treatment: prosthetics, bypass, endarterectomy, stenting.

Sick joints with arthrosis are treated with non-steroidal (locally and in the form of tablets taken orally, for example, "Nimesulide", "Ibuprofen") and hormonal (in the form of injections: "Hydrocortisone", "Diprospan", etc.) anti-inflammatory drugs that reduce inflammation and pain. In addition, chondroprotectors are prescribed ("Alflutop", "Ostenil", "Mukosat", the complex drug "Teraflex", etc.), hyaluronic acid preparations.

Physiotherapy treatment:

• pain relief – UV radiation, magnetic therapy,
• inflammation relief – laser therapy, UHF procedures, SMV therapy.
• Improving blood circulation and metabolic processes in the joint – ultrasound, diadynamic therapy, interference therapy, darsonvalization, medicinal baths (with herbal decoctions or bischofite, radon, hydrogen sulphide, gas-mud).

Surgical treatment: arthroscopy, osteotomy, endoprosthetics.

Treatment of myositis, in which one of the main symptoms is pain in the back of the leg, is an even more complex process, because this pathology often develops against the background of other diseases. These are the ones that need to be treated first.

Basic principles and medications: pain relief with injections, tablets or ointments (Ketonal, Myolgin, Analgin, Voltaren, Diclofenac, Fastum-gel, etc.), pain and inflammation relief with warming ointments from the NSAID group (Dolobene, Diprilif, Espole, Diclac-gel) and oral medications (Nimesulide, Indomethacin, Movalis). Additionally, anticonvulsants (for example, Phenazepam) may be prescribed for pain in the calf muscle. Antibiotic therapy is indicated for purulent processes.

In parallel with drug therapy, physiotherapy treatment (paraffin, amplipulse, electrophoresis), reflexology, and massage are carried out.

Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine is treated with NSAIDs for local application and oral administration (Voltaren, Diclofenac, Indomethacin) and steroid drugs (Prednisolone, Hydrocortisone), venotonics (Troxevasin, Aescusan) and muscle relaxants (Baclofen, Tizanidine), chondroprotectors, hyaluronic acid injections, agents for improving blood circulation and venous outflow (Pentoxifylline, Spironolactone).

Additionally, reflexotherapy, shock wave treatment, magnetic and laser therapy, and masses are performed. Manual therapy techniques, spinal traction, medicinal electro- and phonophoresis, and exercise therapy (at the final stage) are used.

Surgical treatment: discectomy, supporting spondylodesis, dynamic stabilization of the spinal column, laser nucleotomy, release of spinal roots compressed by deformed or displaced discs.

There are a great many pathologies that cause pain in the back of the leg of varying localization and intensity. It makes no sense to describe the treatment of all of them in one article, especially since, having studied the information on the therapy of some of them, one can notice a certain similarity in the approach to choosing painkillers that can relieve leg pain. We will talk about them further.

Medicines for leg pain relief

Whatever the pathology that causes pain in the back of the leg, one of the directions of therapy is the removal of pain. And since pain in the overwhelming majority of cases occurs against the background of an inflammatory process in muscles, joints, bones, doctors give preference to drugs with anti-inflammatory and analgesic action.

"Nimesulide" is a drug from the category of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which also relieve fever and pain. It is indicated for both joint pain and acute muscle pain. The drug does not affect the development of the disease, but only helps to remove symptoms such as inflammation and pain.

The drug should be taken 2 times a day, ½-1 tablet weighing 100 mg. It is advisable to do this after meals to reduce the irritating effect of the drug on the gastrointestinal mucosa. Doctors recommend using minimal effective doses.

The drug is not prescribed to patients with erosions and ulcerative processes in the gastrointestinal tract, especially if they are accompanied by bleeding, bronchial asthma, inflammatory bowel pathologies, hemophilia and blood clotting disorders. The use of the drug is contraindicated in Crohn's disease, nasal polyposis with frequent relapses, any bleeding and hypersensitivity to the components of the drug and other NSAIDs.

Doctors are wary of prescribing the drug for severe liver and kidney diseases, especially if their function is impaired, in case of heart failure in the decompensation stage, increased potassium levels in the body (hyperkalemia), during pregnancy and after coronary artery bypass grafting. In childhood, it can be used starting from the age of 12.

The drug has quite a few side effects. These include increased anxiety and headaches, hyperhidrosis and skin rashes, problems with the urinary system and the risk of bleeding, bronchospasm and visual impairment. The digestive tract is often affected: dyspeptic symptoms, bowel disorders, liver problems manifested by yellowing of the skin, pain and bleeding in the stomach and intestines. Sometimes patients complain of decreased blood pressure and temperature, hot flashes, strong heartbeat and weakness.

The drug has a toxic effect on the liver, so it is not advisable to use it simultaneously with other hepatotoxic drugs. As an external agent, ointments "Nise" and "Nimulide" with the same active substance are used.

"Diclofenac" is a popular NSAID that is prescribed for many pathologies, including those that are accompanied by pain in the back of the leg. In pharmacies, the drug can be found in the form of tablets, rectal suppositories, injection solution, ointment and gel, which can be used to relieve inflammation and pain in the legs.

The method of administration and dosage depend on the form of the drug.

• Tablets. It is advisable to take them half an hour before meals, but this is not considered a mandatory requirement. The daily dose for patients over 15 years old is 75-150 mg. It is recommended to divide it into 2 or 3 doses. The maintenance dose is 50 mg.
• Solution. Designed for deep intramuscular injection. A single dose contains 75 mg of the active substance. The medicine should be administered every 12 hours for no more than 2 days, after which the patient is transferred to tablets.
• Suppositories. Rectal administration is provided. Daily dose from 100 to 150 mg. It is recommended to administer suppositories 2 or 3 times a day.
• Ointment and gel. The preparation is applied to intact skin with light rubbing movements in the amount of 2-4 g. This should be done 3 or 4 times a day.

Contraindications to the use of various dosage forms are quite extensive.

Tablets are not prescribed for the same pathologies that are listed in the description of "Nimesulide". During pregnancy, it is prohibited to take the drug in the 3rd trimester, up to 6 months, the drug is prescribed in small doses and only as a last resort. Children can be given tablets from 6 years of age.

Additional contraindications: impaired lactose absorption, excess potassium in the body.

Suppositories have the same contraindications plus proctitis. In children, they are prescribed from 14 years of age (dosage 50 mg).

Injection administration is not practiced in patients with exacerbations of erosive and ulcerative pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, hematopoiesis disorders, and the development of aspirin asthma. The drug in solution is not prescribed during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Injection treatment is indicated for children from the age of 15.

The use of gel or ointment is not allowed in aspirin asthma, as well as in the last 3 months of pregnancy. Ointments and gels can be prescribed to children from 6 years of age. External use of the drug involves its application to intact skin.

Any form of the drug is not used in case of intolerance to the components of the drug and other NSAIDs.

Among the side effects, it is worth mentioning those that are observed most often. These are dizziness and headaches, various complications from the gastrointestinal tract, the development of bronchospasm, edema, skin rashes, tinnitus.

An analogue of Diclofenac with the same active ingredient is Voltaren Gel, which is prescribed to patients aged 12 years and older.

"Indomethacin" is another drug from the NSAID group with analgesic properties, which is prescribed for statutory pain, myalgia and neuralgia, pain in the spine and periphery, traumatic lesions with the development of inflammation. The drug is produced in the form of tablets, suppositories, ointment and gel.

Method of administration and dosage depending on the form of release:

• Tablets: initial single dose of 25 mg with a frequency of administration of 2 or 3 times a day. Subsequently, the dosage may be increased to the maximum possible (200 mg per day). The medicine can be taken during or after meals.
• Suppositories: 50 mg suppositories can be used 3 times a day or 100 mg suppositories can be used 1 time. Maximum per day is 200 mg for severe pain. Suppositories are used rectally (inserted into the rectum).
• External agents: depending on the content of the main substance, use 2-3 (10 percent preparations) or 3-4 times a day (for 5 percent preparations). The dosage depends on the affected area (usually the ointment strip ranges from 4 to 20 cm).

Contraindications for the use of tablets are identical to other NSAIDs. The drug is not used for congenital heart defects. It is also not prescribed during pregnancy and breastfeeding. And in pediatrics it is used from the age of 14.

Suppositories are not used for the same pathologies and conditions. Additional contraindications include hemorrhoids, proctitis, and rectal bleeding.

External agents are not used for wounds, scratches and other damage to the skin. Children can be applied to the skin from 1 year.

Starting from the 7th month of pregnancy, the use of the drug in any form is prohibited. The only important contraindication for any dosage forms is intolerance to the components of the drug and drugs from the NSAID group.

Like other drugs in this group, Indomethacin is famous for its multiple side effects typical of NSAIDs.

All non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have a large number of contraindications and side effects, so it is not recommended to use them without prior diagnosis and a doctor's prescription. If the cause of pain in the back of the leg is unknown, it is better to use ointments based on natural components, of which there are now many.

One of such effective remedies for fatigue and pain in the legs, which is successfully used even for various pathologies of muscles and joints, is considered to be the cream of the Veda Vedika company from India with a warming and relaxing effect.

The cream is based on many useful oils, extracts of medicinal plants and vitamin E. It should be applied to the skin of the feet with light massage movements. A good preparation for a therapeutic massage.

Folk remedies

We mentioned the cream made in India, but there are equally useful products from domestic manufacturers, and especially from fans of traditional medicine.

Muscle pain in the back of the leg can be relieved with a honey compress. For this, you only need natural honey, which is applied to the sore spots and wrapped up at night. During the day, the legs are again applied with honey and wrapped in a bandage.

Joint pain can be treated with a composition based on apple cider vinegar (1 tbsp), turpentine (1 tsp) and an egg (1 yolk).

For joint and muscle pain, a medicine based on aloe juice and essential oils is useful. To prepare it, take menthol and eucalyptus oils, cloves and camphor. They can be used one at a time, but it is better to mix them. Aloe juice and a mixture of oils are taken in equal proportions, and this composition is applied to the legs with massage movements 2-3 times a day. After the procedure, the legs need to be warmly wrapped.

Some experts in traditional medicine recommend using black radish as a medicine for leg pain, which should be grated and applied to the skin in the form of compresses.

Herbal treatment is also popular for pain in the back of the leg. For joint pain, it is recommended to drink tea from sea buckthorn leaves (1 tbsp. per 1 cup of water, boil for 10 minutes, drink in 2 doses). Also, for pain caused by arthritis, it is useful to take tansy infusion (raw materials and water are taken in the same proportions, infused for 2 hours, taken 2 or 3 times a day, 1 tbsp.).

Herbs will also be useful for vascular pathologies. For example, fresh leaves of coltsfoot or common cabbage can be tied to the sore spot at night. And for varicose veins, dried and crushed dandelion root can be taken internally.

They say that an alcohol tincture of horse chestnut fruits (50 g of raw material per ½ l of alcohol, leave for 14 days) also has a good effect on vascular pathologies. The medicine is taken orally with water or used as a rub. The daily dose is from 30 to 40 drops.

For muscle pain, woodruff herb has proven itself to be effective (2 tablespoons of raw material per 1 cup of boiling water, leave for 4 hours, drink 2 times during the day).

Baths prepared with sea salt, pine needles, mint, plantain, and coltsfoot are also useful for pain in the back of the leg. The procedure is carried out for 15 minutes, after which it is advisable to wrap the legs.

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Homeopathy

There is a certain part of people who trust not traditional or folk treatment, but homeopathy, which is considered the safest therapy for the body. They can be understood, because homeopathic drugs have virtually no contraindications and side effects. In addition, homeopathy can help with virtually all diseases for which drug treatment is indicated.

It also helps if a person suffers from pain in the back of the leg, caused by overexertion of the limb or exposure to unfavorable weather factors that cause exacerbation of chronic pathologies of the cat-muscle system. Here are some illustrative drugs in this regard.

Aconite is a homeopathic medicine that is prescribed if leg pain occurs due to hypothermia, as well as if it develops against the background of nervous tension or cold pathologies. An important point is considered to be an increase in pain at night and in a lying position, and its reduction at rest. Helps with muscle and joint pain.

Arnica is a homeopathic remedy used for muscle pain and strains caused by heavy loads. The following point is indicative: the pain becomes stronger from touch, any movement of the limb, exposure to cold, and decreases in a lying position. At the same time, the pain is felt mainly in the evenings and at night, accompanied by impaired leg mobility, decreased sensitivity and the appearance of "goosebumps" on the body.

Rhus toxicodendron is a medicine used in homeopathy for pain in muscles and joints. Its use is especially indicative for damage to tendons and ligaments. It is prescribed for severe pain in the Achilles tendon, along the sciatic nerve in the thigh, etc. Important point: pain increases at the beginning of movement and at rest, when bending or straining the leg during ascent or descent, the pain goes away when walking and changing position, in a lying position and under the influence of massage and heat. The pain is felt more strongly at night and in the evening, as well as in bad weather.

Ruta is another homeopathic remedy that has a positive effect on tendons and relieves neurological pain. It is also indicated for bruises. Important: the pain increases from straining the leg, as well as when in dampness and cold, it decreases during movement and changing position. An additional symptom is numbness of the leg.

It is recommended to use all preparations in 6 dilutions, after consulting with a homeopathic doctor about the dosage and specifics of administration.

Complications and consequences

When considering this issue, it is important to understand that pain in the back of the leg, no matter how strong it is, does not carry any danger. Pain is only a symptom, a distress signal, a consequence of the impact of negative factors on muscles, tendons, joints, bones, and skin of the legs. But you can’t ignore it, because dangerous pathologies may be hidden behind this sensation.

Thus, vascular pathologies are dangerous due to circulatory disorders leading to tissue hypoxia, as a result of which various organs may malfunction. In addition, a frequent complication of arterial and venous pathologies is skin ulceration and gangrene, which entails amputation of the lower limb.

Venous thrombosis is dangerous because of the risk of a blood clot breaking off and traveling with the blood to the lungs, which can result in a life-threatening condition called pulmonary thromboembolism.

Inflammatory processes in the area of muscles and ligaments, if left untreated, will spread further, and the tissues will undergo negative changes leading to atrophy.

Spinal pathologies accompanied by pain in the legs, in the absence of appropriate treatment, lead to no less tragic consequences: deterioration in quality of life, decreased performance, disruption of internal organs (impaired bowel movements and urination, erectile dysfunction and prostatitis in men, inflammation of the uterus and ovaries in women) due to decreased sensitivity of the pelvic region, disability.

Even wearing uncomfortable shoes can have its unpleasant consequences in the form of a large load on the spine, resulting in various pathologies of the spinal column, accompanied by pain in the legs, back and lower back.

Only temporary pain caused by tired legs will go without consequences, and only if the situation does not recur regularly.

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Prevention

Prevention of pain in the back of the leg is, first of all, a careful attitude towards your body. Understanding that the main load always falls on the lower limbs, it is necessary to ease their work as much as possible. To do this, you need to follow certain rules:

• It is essential to monitor your weight, because every extra kilogram increases the risk of developing pathologies accompanied by leg pain. People with a lot of weight complain of such pain much more often than those whose weight is close to normal.
• Try not to overexert your legs during a long walk, taking periodic rest breaks.
• If your job involves standing on your feet for long periods of time, you need to find ways to give your feet a rest during the day.
• If your legs are tired, you need to sit or lie down so that they are elevated.
• If possible, try not to lift heavy weights. It is better to go 2 times than to carry a weight of 50 kg or more at once. People engaged in heavy physical labor suffer from leg pain much more often.
• Sedentary work can also provoke pain in the hip due to its compression and impaired blood circulation over a long period of time, so you need to get up periodically, stretch your legs, massage the back of the thigh, which bears all the load.
• If, despite everything, your feet are still tired during the day, you need to pamper them in the evening: make a bath with salt or mint, rub your feet with a cream that helps with fatigue and pain, massage them and give them a rest.
• It is worth paying attention to nutrition not only in terms of excess weight, but also in the sense that the consumption of certain foods increases the level of cholesterol in the blood, which subsequently results in atherosclerosis of the vessels.
• If you have increased blood viscosity and a tendency to thrombosis, you need to take blood thinners to prevent the formation of blood clots.
• The best way to prevent the occurrence of leg pain due to various pathologies is to treat incipient diseases in time, not allowing them to become chronic.
• Those who lead a healthy and active lifestyle, giving up physical inactivity and bad habits, are least likely to experience pain in the legs and other parts of the body.
• To improve the functioning of bone, muscle, cartilage, nerve and other tissues of the body, it is recommended to take vitamins or vitamin-mineral complexes that will support the normal functioning of all parts of the body during periods of vitamin deficiency, as well as in the absence of a balanced diet.

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Forecast

Leg pain caused by isolated cases of overstraining of the limbs does not cause concern and usually disappears without a trace after the legs have rested. The prognosis of pathologies in which one of the symptoms is pain in the back of the leg depends entirely on the severity of the disease and the accuracy of the treatment procedures prescribed by the doctor. In most cases, these are chronic pathologies, and their treatment is aimed at preventing relapses of their characteristic symptoms, including leg pain.

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