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It is impossible not to notice a pinched nerve in the region of one or both legs, because it is accompanied by severe pain. Affected by the presented problem are most often women in the later stages of pregnancy, people who perform work with significant physical exertion, as well as professional athletes and people over 60 years old.
Symptoms of a pinched nerve in the leg
Signs that indicate a pinched nerve in the lower extremities are as follows:
The appearance of sharp and sharp pain in the pinched area. They may also be tingling;
Swelling of the epidermis, a change in shade to red at the point of pinching;
Increased sweating (occurs quite rarely);
Inability to straighten the limbs in the morning. As the course of the disease worsens, this symptom becomes permanent.
The patient is more constrained, when in an upright position, unbearable pain is noted;
Pain can also radiate to the back.
Most often, the symptoms of such a plan are formed unexpectedly, but just as quickly disappear. In the later stages of the disease, the sensations presented continue uninterrupted. In the area in which the most painful sensations are felt, the point of pinching the nerve is located. This may be due to both physical and psychological effects.
Sleep can also cause pain. The factors that determine the pinched nerve in the lower extremities, of an additional nature, as mentioned above, may be redness and swelling of the skin. This is sometimes accompanied by constant sweating. There is an aggravation of motor activity in a situation where the motor nerve is affected, and sometimes atrophy.
Causes of a pinched nerve in the leg
A pinched nerve in the lower extremities can form due to the following factors:
Osteochondrosis at the stage of exacerbation. Cartilage and discs, changing their shape, leave a small space that highlights the vertebrae. This has a positive effect on the increase in compression in the region of the nerve branches. If we talk about the muscles, then they, being in a much more active state and with an increased tone, aggravate the situation even more. Indeed, in connection with this, painful sensations are much more tangible;
Radiculitis. As you know, a large number of people over the age of 45 are faced with this disease. It is this ailment that can provoke a pinched nerve in the leg. The pain can be so strong that even a prolonged loss of consciousness is possible. In this regard, at a critical moment, it is necessary to reduce the pain syndrome as soon as possible;
Loads that are associated with heavy or prolonged physical labor;
Received injuries that change the optimal structure of the bones and thereby affect the pinching;
Tumors of any origin.
Diagnosis of a pinched nerve in the leg
Before prescribing a course of treatment, a person must undergo a standard examination, which consists of x-rays of the spine and leg bones. In case of a controversial diagnosis or contraindications, computed or magnetic resonance imaging (CT or MRI) is prescribed.
If a tumor is suspected, a scintigraphy, or radiological examination, of the spine is performed.
Treating a pinched nerve in the leg
First of all, starting treatment, you should release the nerve endings or fibers from the pressed state. This is due to the fact that it is this phenomenon that provokes pain in the leg area in case of a pinched nerve. In order to achieve the designated goal, specialists use manual therapy, some types of massage (in particular, acupressure, electromassage, vibration massage). Shock wave therapy is considered no less effective, which, however, is undesirable for people over 60 years of age. Additional methods of recovery are osteopathy, magnetic therapy and electrical stimulation.
[Video] 2 Effective Exercises to Unblock a Pinched Nerve in Your Leg: