Pain On Outside Of Lower Leg Above Ankle At Night
The pain on outside of lower leg above ankle at night can be a distressing experience. Peripheral artery disease has often been the cause of this symptom, but other medical issues can also cause this problem.
Suppose you have the opportunity to visit a doctor and get the help you need, you should do so. This decision will save you the trouble of making a self-diagnosis.
This advice will serve you well if you cannot get that help. The sooner you can figure out why you have these issues, the sooner you can treat the illness.
So let us look at ways you can know what is wrong.
The best approach is to use your symptoms to match those on the list of known diseases. Once you have eliminated those differences, you can then focus on treatment.
You should also check the causes to practice preventative methods to avoid repeating. Lifestyle changes can make a significant difference to your health.
Once you have figured out what is wrong, you can focus on using the safe treatments, and not all will be for your case. Use those that are similar to each other.
Avoid medicines and therapies that differ per situation.
Once you understand the process, we can now share the medical conditions that can cause pain outside the lower leg above the ankle at night.
Contents
Pain On Outside Of Lower Leg Above Ankle At Night – Likely Causes
Muscle Cramps
Muscle cramps occur when the muscles become strained from overuse and dehydration. Other causes are lack of blood flow and low magnesium, potassium, or calcium levels.
Nerve compression, pregnancy, and some medications can also cause muscle cramps.
Symptoms of a muscle cramp are sharp pain in the leg from short to long periods and muscle tissue that stiffens to a bulge.
The cramp can prevent a person from using the leg as it becomes painful and disengaged.
Treatment for this condition is to use heat and cold compresses to the affected area. You can also try massaging and stretching the muscle until it becomes relaxed.
Shin Splints
Shin splints occur when bone and muscle become inflamed from overuse. Increased exercise with intensity can cause the feet to hurt, especially at night when the blood cools.
Symptoms of shin splints are soreness, tenderness, and pain of the shinbone, especially along the inner side. You may experience swelling in the lower leg due to the inflammation.
Treatment for shin splints is plenty of rest and icing the affected area. Other methods are compression bandages and elevating the foot.
You can also seek special footwear to help when you walk, run or do other physical activities.
Tendonitis
This condition happens when the tendons in the calf or hamstring become inflamed due to overuse or injury.
Jumping and running are common causes of this issue, so basketballers, runners, and other athletes constantly deal with this injury.
Symptoms of tendonitis are swelling that is red and warm to the touch and immobility of the joint. You may experience severe pain when you move the leg.
Treatment for this condition is to rest the leg and ice it regularly for about fifteen minutes at a time. You can elevate the foot and use a compression bandage to secure the tendon.
Physical therapy may be necessary to help the muscle regain memory and function mobility.
Pain On Outside Of Lower Leg Above Ankle At Night – Other Causes
Leg pain can be a bother as it limits your ability to walk and run. It can make you feel incapacitated as you can’t do the usual stuff.
If you have such symptoms, it would be wise to address the problem immediately.
The sooner you get treatment, the better, as such injuries and conditions will take time to heal.
Peripheral Artery Disease
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) occurs when fat in the blood accumulates and sticks together to form blood clots. These clots attach to your arteries and restrict the blood flow.
PAD symptoms are coldness in the feet, numbness, and weakness in the leg. Other symptoms include cramping of the calf, thigh, and hips after physical activity.
Treatment for this condition is exercise, which helps with blood flow; it could be a structured program from your doctor.
Other methods include grapefruit and lemon juice consumption to dissolve clots and break up plaque. Foods rich in omega-3 fats are very good for this condition.
Varicose Veins
Varicose veins occur when the blood pressure in the arteries becomes too much. The intensity can cause veins to bulge and show on the skin.
Weakened valves can cause blood to settle in the veins instead of traveling as it should.
Symptoms of varicose veins are spider-looking veins and heavy aching feelings in your legs. The pain can increase after standing or sitting for long periods.
Other signs are skin discoloration and swelling, and cramping of the leg. The pain can be throbbing and have a burning sensation.
Injuries
Another cause of such pain in the leg is an injury like broken bones or sprains. This mishap can occur if you receive a blunt impact or have had a fall. In some cases, a twist of the foot could result in injury.
Symptoms of such injuries are excruciating pain when the area is touched and severe swelling in the area. Other signs are numbness and tingling pain in the leg.
Some situations are easier to tell than others, with the bone piercing the flesh or having a limp look. The leg may turn loosely in severe cases as the bone can’t hold the leg in place.
Treatment for this condition is heavy painkillers to ease the pain and surgery to fix the broken leg. Doctors would fit the leg with a plaster cast to keep it stable.
If the leg has a sprain, the R.I.C.E. method will help recover. You can use an over-the-counter OTC painkiller to help with the pain.
Take care of the pain on outside of lower leg above ankle at night. Please don’t wait another moment as it could be a serious issue. Seek the help of a doctor if you can, otherwise use this information wisely.