Shooting Pain in Leg
Shooting pain in leg can be due to blood circulation problems, but is often related to conditions like sciatica and fibromyalgia. To know more about what causes shooting pain in leg during pregnancy, read on…
Ouch! This is the most common response of a person to shooting pain in leg. It is an unusual sensation, similar to burning or tingling feeling that is more prominent in the calf muscles. Many a times, the problem is not in the leg and is the result of an underlying condition such as sciatica. Read more on severe leg pain.
Causes of Shooting Pain in Leg
Sitting in one position for a long time, which is common during long distance flight, can certainly bring sharp shooting pain in the leg. This is because, when a person sits for too long without moving the leg, it can affect normal blood flow in the leg. This low blood circulation in the leg often causes pain. However, this type of leg pain is not a cause for worry and vanishes as soon as the leg is set in motion. Other causes of shooting pain in leg are given below:
Sciatica Shooting pain in leg can also be regarded as the onset of sciatica
. As we all know, sciatic nerve is the longest of all nerves in our body. This is because the sciatic nerve originates from the lower part of the back and runs all the way down to the thighs of each leg and finally ends at the feet. The sciatic nerve supplies sensation to the leg. When a small portion of the sciatic nerve gets compressed (pinched sciatic nerve) or inflamed due to health issues like ‘slipped disc’, the condition is referred as sciatica and causes aching back and leg. The discs are basically tissues placed between two bones of the spine. As we all know, the spine that supports our back, consists of individual bones. When any of these discs bulge out of their normal position, the sciatic nerve that passes over it is affected. More specifically the portion of sciatic nerve where the disc has protruded, gets compressed, leading to intense pain in the leg. Read more on exercises for sciatica leg pain.
Crohn’s Disease It’s a disease related to the digestive tract, in which the lining of the intestine is swollen. Although, the inflammation occurs in the small and large intestine, the pain is not restricted to the abdomen and can be experienced anywhere in the body. Discomfort in the form of shooting pain in leg, is a common complaint among Crohn’s disease sufferers. The leg pain in Crohn’s disease is so intense that it makes a person immobile for quite some time. In severe cases of crohn’s disease, rectal bleeding takes place, that is often accompanied by leg and lower back pain. Read more on throbbing leg pain
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Fibromyalgia Shooting pain in leg calf, is also an indication of fibromyalgia. Recent reports suggest that fibromyalgia
has been diagnosed in approximately 6 million Americans. Fibromyalgia triggers symptoms, similar to arthritis, meaning muscle and joint pain that is prevalent all over the body. The muscles, tendons and ligaments of the leg, especially, the calf muscles radiate pain that may lead to disturbed sleep and chronic fatigue. Intermittent episodes of heavy aching in the leg, is something that is related to fibromyalgia, which may even last for a couple of years.
Shooting Pain in Leg During Pregnancy Although pregnancy
is fine, the side effects of being pregnant are not so fine. Aches and pains are frequent during pregnancy. As we all know, pregnancy causes increase in weight. This excess weight gain puts extra strain and pressure on the calf muscles, which can lead to leg cramps. The leg cramps often trigger sharp shooting pain from the calf, thigh or the foot.
Sciatic nerve pain during pregnancy
has also been reported in many women. The growing baby in the womb, is likely to put excessive pressure on the sciatic nerve, which may manifest in the form of sharp shooting pain in leg.
After determining the root cause, the doctor will suggest an appropriate sharp shooting leg pain treatment. Stretching exercises, physical therapy and intake of muscle relaxants are some of the effective ways to get rid of shooting pain in leg.
