Leg & Knee Pain: Causes, Symptoms & Pain Relief
Read on for more information about what causes leg pain, the symptoms and leg muscle strain pain reliever, such as Naprosyn® Pain Relief.
Always consult a healthcare professional if you are worried about pain you are experiencing.
Symptoms and causes of leg and knee pain
The leg is made up of your thighs, knees, calves, ankles, feet and toes. This means there are
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A common cause of thigh pain is an injury to the hamstring, the group of muscles at the back of your thighs. This can happen when you’re exercising or playing a sport. As the hamstring is damaged, you may feel a sharp pain in the back of your thigh or, if it’s severe, you may feel a snapping sensation.
Other causes of thigh pain include the result of a fall, overstretching during sports or other activities, or a direct blow to the thigh. You may experience symptoms such as pain, swelling and bruising. The pain should settle within six weeks but if it doesn’t, you should see a GP.
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Calf pain is generally caused by impact injuries such as falls, sporting activity or a direct hit to the calf. Typical symptoms for calf problems include pain, bruising, tightness and stiffness. The pain should ease within six weeks without the need to see a GP, though you should if you are worried.
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Leg cramps happen when a muscle in the leg tightens and causes a sharp pain that makes it difficult to move. They can last from a few seconds to 10 minutes and the muscle may feel sore for up to 24 hours. Leg cramps are most common in the calf but can affect the muscles in the feet or thighs too. Causes can include:
- putting too much strain on the muscle
- pregnancy
- not drinking enough water
- ageing
- certain medicines, e.g. for lowering cholesterol or high blood pressure.
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You may get shin splints if you put too much pressure on your leg during exercise. They are more common if you run or jump on hard surfaces, you don’t have a good running technique or you’re exercising after being inactive for a while. Symptoms tend to include pain and tenderness along the front of your lower leg. Shin splints usually improve in a few weeks, though see a GP if you have any concerns.
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Pain in your knee can be the result of a number of different conditions. The symptoms you experience may indicate what the cause is, though you shouldn’t use this to self diagnose. Always see a GP if you have concerns about your knee.
- Sports injury
If you experience pain after overstretching or overusing your knee during exercises, it’s likely a sprain or strain. Pain between your kneecap and shin, generally after repetitive running or jumping, could be tendonitis. - Dislocated kneecap
This is when your kneecap (patella) moves out of place and is generally caused by injury to the knee. You may notice your kneecap change shape or direction. - Arthritis
Pain and stiffness in both knees and mild swelling may be a sign of osteoarthritis, which mainly affects older people. If your knee is hot and red and there’s sudden very bad pain, this could be septic arthritis or gout. - Bursitis
Bursitis is when the fluid-filled sacs (bursa) that cushion your joints become painful and swollen. If your knee is warm and red, and kneeling or bending makes the pain worse, this could be a sign of bursitis.
- Sports injury
How to relieve leg and knee pain
Leg and knee pain often improves on its own within a few weeks, but there are things you can do at home to help ease discomfort and speed up recovery.
Over-the-counter medication
Pain relief medicines can make moving around easier and support recovery. Options available without a prescription include paracetamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen.
Naprosyn® Pain Relief are anti-inflammatory tablets for knee pain and leg pain, containing naproxen as the active ingredient. Available from pharmacies without a prescription, Naprosyn® Pain Relief tablets can provide up to 12 hours of pain relief.
Heat and ice packs
Applying heat or ice can help reduce pain and swelling for musculoskeletal conditions. Ice is most useful soon after an injury to reduce inflammation, while heat may help with longer-lasting stiffness or soreness. Always place a towel or cloth between the pack and your skin to avoid burns or irritation.
If the pain is due to a soft tissue injury, like a sprain or strain, the NHS recommends the PRICE method:
- Protection - protect the injured area from further harm by using a support
- Rest - avoid putting weight or strain on the area
- Ice - apply a cold pack for 15-20 minutes every 2-3 hours
- Compression - use an elastic bandage to reduce swelling
- Elevation - keep the injured limb raised above the level of your heart when possible.
Exercises and stretches
Gentle movement is important for recovery and can help prevent problems returning. Depending on the cause of your leg or knee pain, a GP or physiotherapist may recommend stretches or strengthening exercises to aid healing.
There are a number of different exercises you can do. For example, for hamstring muscle pain relief, you can try lying on your back and bending your knees. Then lift the affected leg, wrap a towel around it and pull it towards you. Or, try squats to improve the muscles in your leg. If you have a significant increase in pain from doing exercises, don’t continue and seek advice from your GP.
Explore Naprosyn® Pain Relief
Naprosyn® Pain Relief offers effective leg and knee muscle strain pain relief. Visit our about Naprosyn® Pain Relief page to learn more about how it may help with short term musculoskeletal pain.
