Many people in San Antonio experience leg and foot pain without knowing the cause or severity of it. Because leg pain as a category is so big, it is easy for people who are feeling discomfort, soreness, or pain to ignore their symptoms in hopes that their injury will recover on its own. This approach can lead to more severe injuries later on because not all leg and foot pain can get better without medical treatment.

Dr. Raul Martinez and the staff at Texas Pain Specialists are experts in identifying lower back and leg pain and determining the best way to get you back on your feet with minimal discomfort. Our team understands the common causes of leg and foot pain and is here to help you heal.

What Is Leg Pain?

The Mayo Clinic broadly defines leg pain by listing some of its iterations. Leg pain can be constant or sporadic, emerge abruptly or gradually, and be widespread or localized. It can present as a sharp stabbing sensation, a dull ache, or tingling. While most people experience leg pain at some point in their lives, the variable nature of leg pain can make it difficult to know when to get professional help. If your leg muscle pain does not improve with traditional home treatments, like rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE), it is time to reach out to a doctor. Though noting your symptoms is crucial for coming up with a care plan, only a physician can diagnose your specific leg pain.

The Most Common Types of Leg Pain

Leg pain signals, in its different iterations, different physical needs. While medical professionals are the only people who can safely and effectively diagnose your leg pain, there are some common causes of leg and foot pain that you should be aware of if you are considering seeing a pain specialist. These include:

• Shin splints: Pain at the front of the leg or knee, otherwise known as shin splints, often signals overuse. If you have started running or walking more intensely or regularly than usual, then you may have extra pain and sensitivity in your legs. If untreated, shin splints can develop into stress fractures.
• Knee pain: Knee pain also typically corresponds with overuse. If the joint looks red, swollen, or the pain increases when you put pressure on it, you may have bursitis. RICE is an excellent start to treating bursitis, but if your symptoms don’t improve in a couple of days, you should reach out to a doctor.
• Achilles tendon injury: The Achilles tendon, located right above the heel, connects to muscles in your calf to the heel bone. This tendon can tear or rupture with strenuous athletic activity or prolonged walking in tight shoes or high heels. If you hear a pop in your heel before feeling extreme pain, go to your doctor to get foot pain relief as soon as possible.
• Muscle cramps: The sudden contraction of one or muscles, usually as a result of overwork or dehydration, is a cramp. Though generally harmless, muscle cramps limit mobility by making it difficult to use the affected muscles. It is, however, worth seeing a doctor if your pain is prolonged, happens regularly, does not have an apparent cause, and does not improve with self-care.

If your leg and foot pain does not quite fit the information here or if one of the above injuries has not gotten better with home care, our team at Texas Pain Specialists would like to see you at our San Antonio office. We offer a variety of treatments for all types of leg pain causes and will work with you to come up with a comprehensive treatment plan.

Call Texas Pain Specialists Today

If you live in San Antonio and experience pain on a regular basis, Dr. Raul Martinez and his associates would like you to know that many successful treatment options address the common causes of leg and foot pain, and you owe it to yourself to look into them.

While other doctors may have disregarded your pain, our team is committed to discovering its source and working with you to determine the safest, most effective leg pain treatment. You are not alone. The physicians at Texas Pain Specialists are in your corner, and we are waiting to hear from you. Contact us today.