What Causes Pain In Lower Legs During Physical Activity?

Posted on Mon, 8 Dec 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 8 Dec 2014 Answered on

Fri, 26 Dec 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello Doctor,

I have been running for 3 months. I' m feeling pain in my lower legs since I increased the distance from 3 to 4 miles a day. now a days pain starts as soon as I start running please suggest how to recover this. I' m 34 years old.

regards, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Mukesh Chugh (30 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
stress fracture may be the cause

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for posting
After going through your query, the cause of your suffering is because of excessive physical exercises. As it all started after increasing the running distance and may be not supplemented by proper diet. This leads to stress fracture in leg bone (Tibia) and if you are deficient with vitamin D,it will further worsen the condition.

You might have increased the physical exercise for which your body was not prepared for (If am not incorrect). I have seen many patient’s like you and others preparing for police and Para military forces.
You may have blood investigation like serum vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphotase.Please share the finding in the follow up query.

For now my advice would be take a break from running (long duration) for few days (15-21). Take balanced diet rich in calcium (1000mg/day) and vitamin D (1000 i.u. /day) along with vitaminB12, B6.Vitamin D is available in weekly dose pattern as well as injection, just talk to your local doctor. Take ibuprofen to reduce pain and do ice fomentation.
Hope this information suffices.
Take care and I shall be glad to answer any further query.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar