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Nightly Leg Pain; Pain Between Knee And Ankle In Both
Question: Nightly leg pain; pain between knee and ankle in both legs. Massaging doesn't help. Only thing to alleviate the pain is to stand up and put pressure on feet.
Brief Answer:
Possible causes and needed examinations to diagnose the cause of the pain explained below
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to 'Ask A Doctor' service,
I carefully read your query. Leg pain at night can be caused by several conditions from problems with the arteries (circulation) in the leg to nerve conditions affecting the spine or peripheral nerves. Diabetes, thyroid, liver and kidney problems may cause patients to have leg pains as well.
You may need some examinations and tests to try to identify the cause of the pain so that the treatment can be directed towards the cause.
- A thorough general examination by your doctor including checking the pulses in your legs (circulation) and also a neurological examination
- Some recommended tests are CBC, ERS, TSH, FT4, lipids, fasting glucose, ALT, AST, Bilirubin, Creatinine, and electrolytes, etc.
- In some cases, an x-ray or ultrasound examination may be indicated as well
Meanwhile, make sure you drink plenty during the day and avoid alcohol. You may take Ibuprofen 400 mg and paracetamol 500 mg before sleep to help with the pain.
If you feel more discomfort (than pain) with sleep and the need to move the legs, this may be restless leg syndrome and a totally different approach is needed in this case.
I hope this answers your query.
I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician
Possible causes and needed examinations to diagnose the cause of the pain explained below
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to 'Ask A Doctor' service,
I carefully read your query. Leg pain at night can be caused by several conditions from problems with the arteries (circulation) in the leg to nerve conditions affecting the spine or peripheral nerves. Diabetes, thyroid, liver and kidney problems may cause patients to have leg pains as well.
You may need some examinations and tests to try to identify the cause of the pain so that the treatment can be directed towards the cause.
- A thorough general examination by your doctor including checking the pulses in your legs (circulation) and also a neurological examination
- Some recommended tests are CBC, ERS, TSH, FT4, lipids, fasting glucose, ALT, AST, Bilirubin, Creatinine, and electrolytes, etc.
- In some cases, an x-ray or ultrasound examination may be indicated as well
Meanwhile, make sure you drink plenty during the day and avoid alcohol. You may take Ibuprofen 400 mg and paracetamol 500 mg before sleep to help with the pain.
If you feel more discomfort (than pain) with sleep and the need to move the legs, this may be restless leg syndrome and a totally different approach is needed in this case.
I hope this answers your query.
I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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