Leg fatigue or soreness may be a signal of which diseases?
Mar 21, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lv Zhiqin
Introduction
In general, leg soreness may be a signal of diseases such as muscle strain, osteoarthritis, lower extremity varicose veins, lumbar disc herniation, or lumbar spinal stenosis. Medical attention should be sought promptly, and treatment should follow medical advice. Muscle strain refers to injury caused by sudden contraction or excessive stretching of a muscle during physical activity. This type of injury can result in tearing or rupture of muscle fibers, leading to an inflammatory response.
Under normal circumstances, leg soreness may be a signal of diseases such as muscle strain, osteoarthritis, lower limb varicose veins, lumbar disc herniation, and lumbar spinal stenosis. Prompt medical attention is required, and treatment should follow medical advice. Details are as follows:
1. Muscle Strain: Muscle strain refers to injuries caused by sudden contraction or excessive stretching of muscles during movement. This injury can cause tearing or rupture of muscle fibers, triggering an inflammatory response leading to local pain, swelling, and aching sensations, possibly accompanied by muscle pain. Pain-relieving medications such as diclofenac sodium sustained-release tablets, sanqi capsules, and mecobalamin capsules should be used under medical guidance to relieve pain, promote blood circulation to remove blood stasis, and nourish peripheral nerves.
2. Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis is a common joint disease primarily affecting joint cartilage. When the cartilage is damaged, it causes narrowing of the joint space and uneven joint surfaces, leading to joint pain, stiffness, and soreness, potentially accompanied by joint pain. Anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, and bone-strengthening treatments using medications such as nimesulide capsules, aminoglycoside enteric-coated tablets, and gukang capsules should be administered under medical guidance.
3. Lower Limb Varicose Veins: Lower limb varicose veins refer to blood reflux or poor circulation within the leg veins, causing venous hypertension and vein wall dilation. This condition can impair the function of leg muscles and nerves, causing leg soreness, swelling, and a feeling of heaviness in the lower limbs. Treatment can be carried out under medical guidance with medications such as maziling tablets, mailuoning granules, and diosmin tablets to improve venous return.
4. Lumbar Disc Herniation: Lumbar disc herniation refers to the protrusion of the lumbar disc nucleus pulposus backward, compressing nerve roots or the spinal cord. This condition can impair nerve function in the lower limbs, causing leg soreness and pain, potentially accompanied by lower limb pain. Pain-relieving treatments should be conducted under medical guidance using medications such as gentengping granules, yaotongning capsules, and duhuojisheng pills.
5. Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: Lumbar spinal stenosis refers to the narrowing of the lumbar spinal canal, compressing nerve roots or the spinal cord. This condition similarly impairs nerve function in the lower limbs, causing leg soreness and pain, potentially accompanied by numbness in the lower limbs. Treatments should be conducted under medical guidance using medications such as ibuprofen tablets, chlorzoxazone tablets, and eperisone hydrochloride tablets to relieve muscle tension and spasms.
During treatment, follow medical advice, take medications on time, and adjust lifestyle and dietary habits to promote recovery.
References:
[1] Wang Zhengzhen. Exercise Physiology [M]. 3rd ed. Beijing: Higher Education Press, 2020.
[2] Nan Dengkun. Rehabilitation Medicine [M]. 5th ed. Beijing: People's Medical Publishing House, 2013.
