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Treatment for Leg Pain/Injuries

Leg Conditions Treated by Osteopaths

Leg conditions are common and often occur as a result of an injury. Some of these conditions, however, are associated with serious disease.

Leg conditions such as sports and musculoskeletal injuries are treated by an osteopath or a physiotherapist.

There are numerous conditions which affect the knee, foot, and leg, causing pain and discomfort. These leg conditions are mostly caused by overuse, injuries in the bones, tendons, joints, ligaments, and other soft tissues.

Types of Leg Conditions

Sciatica

This is pain which radiates from the back into the buttocks and the back of the legs. The longest nerve in the body is the sciatic nerve.

Sciatica is often caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve from a herniated disc. Compression of sciatica nerve from arthritic growths, joint inflammation or locked facet joint in the lower spine can also lead to the condition.

Individuals between 30 and 50 years old are likely to get sciatica. It may happen as a result of injury or wear and tear of the spine. This puts pressure on the lumbar discs whenever you bend or lift something.

The most common causes of sciatica are:

  • Spine degeneration
  • Spinal stenosis
  • Lumbar bulging disc
  • Spondylosis
  • Facet joint injuries
  • Piriformis syndrome
Physical Doctor consulting with patient Knee problems Physical therapy concept

Knee Osteoarthritis

This is a degenerative condition which causes the cartilage of the knee joint to wear away gradually, causing the underlying bone to be exposed.

Bony spurs also develop around the knee joints as the disease progresses due to an imbalance in biomechanics and bone distribution.

Several factors are responsible for the development of knee osteoarthritis. They include:

  • Age
  • Knee joint injury
  • Weight
  • Sports that put a strain on your knee joints

Tendinosis

This condition is associated with the degeneration of collagen in the tendon due to aging and overuse.

Tendon injuries are often caused by wear and tear to the tendon. Although anyone can have a tendon injury, individuals who are involved in sporting activities are more likely to damage their tendons. Too much pressure on the tendons makes it sustain tears which may lead to inflammation and swelling.

Muscle Pain

Myalgia or muscle pain occurs when the muscle becomes overstretched, leading to calf muscle tear, hamstring strain or thigh strain.
An overdose of exercise is also another common source of muscle strain.

Knee Bursitis

This condition can cause pain in your kneecap (patella). There are 11 bursae in the knee. The bursae mostly affected are pes anserinus bursa, prepatellar bursa, suprapatellar bursa, and infra patella bursa.

Many factors can cause knee bursitis. They include knee arthritis, pressure on the knees, falls, blow or trauma to the knee.

The condition causes swelling in the bursa and the pain becomes aggravated when you kneel, bend or squat.

Other leg conditions include:

  • Ligament injury
  • Paget’s disease of the bone
  • Restless leg syndrome
  • Patella dislocation
Man with knee pain close up. Pain relief concept

How Can an Osteopath Help?

An osteopath will help prevent leg problems by massaging, moving, and stretching your joints and muscles to eliminate an imbalance within your body system.

An osteopath will ensure that your ligaments, bones, connective tissue, and muscles work seamlessly together.

With their biochemical training, osteopaths have the ability to identify and treat every problem of the leg, knee, feet, and ankles. They will advise you on an exercise regimen that is right for you and help you restore balance to your body system.

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