As the name suggests, leg joint pain is a painful condition characterized by pain in the hips, knees, and/or ankles which has a number of varying causes. The most common causes of this condition include arthritis, leg joint sprains and strains, blood clots, and sciatica. While some of the causes of leg joint pain can be easily treated, some can only be managed.
Arthritis is considered by many to be one of the most common causes of leg joint pain. Unlike some of the other conditions described below, it can be easily treated through a combination of different medications and thermal therapies. Typically, arthritis pain can be managed through the ingestion of aspirin or other more effective painkillers. In addition, applying heat to the affected area can provide some ease of arthritis pain. Typically, people who suffer from this condition experience increases in pain during periods of extreme cold or humidity.
Leg join sprains and strains are another common cause of leg joint pain that are all caused by a pulled or torn muscle that connects to one or more bones. While these injuries are often much more painful than arthritis, they heal quickly and with relative ease. People who have been diagnosed with a sprain or strain of a leg joint should be encouraged to rest the affected area as much as possible for best results. If a person diagnosed with sprain or strain of a leg joint and has not experienced improvements in the condition within a week or two, he or she should consult with a doctor.
Blood clots are a relatively serious condition that can lead to pain in one or more leg joints. Blood clots are most often caused by unmanaged diabetes, smoking, and alcoholism. Varicose veins are often confused for a blood clot, as they can cause leg joint pain similar to that experienced with blood clots. Blood clots are an extremely serious condition that should be managed with the help of a qualified physician who is an expert in cardiovascular health. A person should be sure to contact his or her doctor immediately upon experiencing any changes in the area or intensity of the pain.
Finally, sciatica is a condition characterized by inflammation of the sciatic nerve that often causes pain in the hips. Sciatica is similar to arthritis in that, while there are certain medications and techniques that can be used to manage sciatic pain, there are no known cures for the condition.