Lower extremity pain can affect your ability to move without pain. At Colorado Clinic in Colorado Springs, and Greeley, Colorado, the pain management providers use various interventional techniques to relieve pain in the lower extremities. These minimally invasive treatments can alleviate pain, restore function, and improve your mobility. To learn more, call Colorado Clinic or schedule an appointment online today.
The lower extremities refer to the thighs, knees, legs, and feet. Pain in the lower extremities can radiate through the hips and lower back without treatment. Any damage to the bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves that make up the lower extremities can cause chronic pain.
The earlier you seek treatment for lower extremity pain, the more likely you will make a full recovery.
Many musculoskeletal and neuropathic conditions can cause lower extremity pain, such as:
The Achilles tendon stretches from the back of the heel through the calf. It’s the longest tendon in the human body. Damage to this tendon from injury or overuse can cause chronic pain and limit your mobility.
Osteoarthritis causes joint inflammation from a breakdown of cartilage. Damaged cartilage in the hip joints can lead to stiffness, pain, and swelling that typically worsen with age.
Inguinal pain develops in the groin area. A muscle, tendon, or ligament strain is the most common reason pain occurs in the groin. Without treatment, inguinal pain can stretch through your lower extremities.
Injury to the bones, muscles, ligaments, or tendons that support the knee can lead to lasting pain. Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears, meniscus tears, and fractures can also cause chronic knee pain.
The piriformis muscle in the buttocks plays a crucial role in your ability to walk and run. Overuse of this muscle can lead to inflammation that compresses the sciatic nerve. When the sciatic nerve compresses, it can cause pain in the buttocks, hips, thighs, and knees.
Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain. The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that stretches from the heel through the toes. Too much stress on the tissue can cause inflammation and pain in the heels and arches.
The sacroiliac joints sit between the sacrum and the pelvis. Damage to these joints can cause lower back and leg pain.
After a comprehensive physical exam, your doctor at Colorado Clinic may order imaging tests, such as X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or computed tomography (CT) scans, to determine the precise cause of your lower extremity pain.
After diagnosing your pain, your doctor can perform a number of treatments to reduce your pain. Depending on the cause and area of your pain, your doctor may recommend neuromodulation, such as:
Alternatively, they may perform nerve block treatments, such as:
To learn more about lower extremity pain, call Colorado Clinic or schedule an appointment online now.
