Leg Pain Specialist NYC
Your legs get a lot of use throughout your life, making them susceptible to overuse, strain, and damage. As you age, it might seem like everything starts hurting more. Chronic leg pain can impact your quality of life and make it harder to enjoy your favorite activities, but it doesn’t have to. Finding the cause of your leg pain is the start of finding relief. Consulting a qualified leg doctor, such as an orthopedic or vascular specialist, is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
Leg pain is caused by any number of things, including:
- Bones, joints, or muscles
- Nerves
- Veins
Bones and joints are susceptible to arthritis, and muscles may hurt due to overuse. Chronic conditions like diabetes can increase nerve pain and make your body more likely to sustain non-healing wounds. Acute leg pain can arise from an acute injury, such as a rolled ankle or torn ligament, or other medical issues. Physical therapy is often recommended to treat leg pain from these sources. Additionally, ligaments and tendons in your legs can suffer from strains or tears, leading to significant discomfort.
Vein damage is also a common cause of leg pain. Over time, the arteries and veins responsible for moving blood throughout your body can get damaged or weakened. If your blood pools or gets trapped in your legs, swelling and pain can result, leading to conditions such as deep vein thrombosis and peripheral artery disease. In severe cases, a blood clot can form, requiring immediate medical care to prevent serious complications.
What are the symptoms of chronic leg pain?
The symptoms of leg pain often change depending on the cause. Arthritis in your legs can make your joints stiff, inflamed, or painful. Overuse injuries like tendonitis or shin splints affect your muscles and can occur if you’ve significantly increased your activity level. Nerve pain can feel like numbness, tingling, or weakness. Physical therapists often play a crucial role in managing these symptoms through targeted exercises and therapy.
Vascular conditions like varicose veins and peripheral vascular disease can make your legs feel heavy, aching, or throbbing. Vein conditions can also cause muscle cramps, itchy skin, and swelling. An infection could be causing your leg pain if you experience warmth, redness, and a fever greater than 100℉. In severe cases, consult a leg pain specialist in NYC for a diagnosis and treatment. Pain in your legs might also be accompanied by other symptoms such as fatigue, difficulty walking, or a noticeable change in skin color.
How Can I Find Relief From Leg pain?
Dr. Beheshtian offers a range of treatment options for patients suffering from leg pain due to vascular diseases. To diagnose the cause of your leg pain, Dr. Beheshtian performs a full physical exam and talks with you about your medical history. Your primary care doctor or a specialist like an orthopedic surgeon might also be involved in determining the cause and best treatment. Diagnosis may include imaging tests like X-rays or MRIs to get a detailed look at your bones and joints.
Leg Pain Caused By Damaged Veins
Pain in your legs caused by damaged veins can force you to limit your activity, but treatment is often very effective. Some lifestyle changes, such as achieving a healthy weight and participating in activities that increase blood flow, can improve symptoms. For more severe cases, Dr. Beheshtian performs a procedure to repair or close the damaged veins that cause pain. This might include vascular surgery or less invasive treatments like sclerotherapy or laser therapy.
You might also benefit from seeing a vascular specialist, orthopedic surgeon, or physical therapist depending on the underlying cause. Other symptoms like joint pain, leg cramps, and swelling can often be treated with a combination of physical medicine, rest, medications, and preventive care. For acute injuries, a leg doctor, such as a sports medicine specialist or orthopedic surgeon, can offer the necessary medical care, including surgery if needed. Treating acute injuries promptly can prevent them from becoming chronic issues.
Preventive care and maintaining good health are crucial in managing leg pain. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and avoiding smoking can help keep your blood vessels and heart disease risk in check. Medications may be prescribed to manage pain and inflammation or to treat underlying conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure that can exacerbate leg pain.
Set Your Appointment Today!
You don’t have to live with chronic leg pain. For top-quality diagnosis and care, make an appointment with Dr. Beheshtian. Call the office or request your first appointment online today. Treatment options are available to help you manage and treat chronic leg pain effectively, allowing you to return to your favorite activities and improve your overall health. With the right medical care, you can address the most common causes of leg pain and find relief. Consult with specialists who can provide comprehensive care tailored to your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions: Leg Pain and Treatment Options
What are the most common causes of chronic leg pain?
Chronic leg pain can be caused by various factors, including arthritis in the bones and joints, overuse or injury to muscles, nerve damage from conditions like diabetes, and vein issues such as varicose veins. Consulting with a leg doctor or an orthopedic surgeon can help determine the specific cause and appropriate treatment options.
How can physical therapy help treat leg pain?
Physical therapy can help treat leg pain by strengthening muscles, improving joint mobility, and reducing inflammation. Physical therapists use targeted exercises and therapy to alleviate pain from conditions such as tendonitis, shin splints, and acute injuries. This approach can also aid in recovery from surgeries and prevent future injuries.
What are common symptoms of leg pain that should not be ignored?
Symptoms of leg pain include stiffness, inflammation, numbness, tingling, weakness, heavy or aching legs, muscle cramps, swelling, and in some cases, redness and warmth if an infection is present. Severe cases may also involve fatigue, difficulty walking, noticeable changes in skin color, and other symptoms that indicate a need for immediate medical care.
How is leg pain diagnosed by specialists?
Leg pain is diagnosed through a combination of physical exams, medical history reviews, and imaging tests like X-rays or MRIs. A primary care doctor, leg pain specialist, orthopedic surgeon, or vascular specialist may be involved in the diagnosis process. Accurate diagnosis is crucial for determining the best treatment approach.
What treatment options are available for leg pain?
Treatment options for leg pain include physical therapy, medications, rest, lifestyle changes, and medical procedures. In severe cases, vascular surgery, sclerotherapy, or laser therapy may be needed. Consulting with specialists such as orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, and vascular specialists is essential to determine the best treatment plan. Additional treatments might include joint injections, pain management techniques, and custom orthotics.
How can acute leg pain be managed effectively?
Acute leg pain, often resulting from an injury, can be managed with rest, ice, compression, elevation, and medications to reduce pain and swelling. Sports medicine specialists and orthopedic surgeons can provide appropriate medical care, including surgery if necessary, to treat acute injuries promptly. Physical therapy can also be instrumental in recovery and preventing chronic issues.
What preventive care measures can help avoid leg pain?
Preventive care measures include regular exercise, maintaining a healthy diet, avoiding smoking, and managing underlying conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure. These steps can help keep blood vessels healthy and reduce the risk of leg pain. Regular check-ups with your primary care doctor can also help monitor and manage risk factors for leg pain.
What role do medications play in treating leg pain?
Medications can help manage leg pain by reducing inflammation, relieving pain, and treating underlying conditions such as arthritis or vascular issues. Your doctor may prescribe specific medications based on the diagnosis and severity of your symptoms. Over-the-counter pain relievers, prescription anti-inflammatory drugs, and medications for nerve pain are common options.
When should I contact a leg pain specialist in NYC?
Contact a leg pain specialist in NYC if you experience persistent or severe leg pain, swelling, signs of a blood clot (such as sudden swelling and pain), or other symptoms like numbness, tingling, or difficulty walking. Early consultation can help diagnose the issue and start appropriate treatment to prevent complications and improve your overall health.
