What Causes Severe Muscle Pain In Legs And Arms?

Posted on Wed, 21 Dec 2016

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

Wed, 21 Dec 2016 Answered on

Wed, 18 Jan 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I am having severe muscle pain in legs and moderate in arms. muscles in legs are hard, rigid and I am having increase difficulty moving. unable to walk short distances without increased pain.

Answered by Dr. Mahaveer Patil (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Hypocalcemia or carnitine deficiency

Detailed Answer:
Hi Mrs. XXXX,

Thank you for posting the query.

At your age,such type of muscle pain in legs and arms usually occurs due to calcium and vitamin D deficiency.This leads to a condition called hypocalcemic tetany,which is characterised by severe muscle cramping pains.

I would suggest you to get serum calcium and Vitamin D levels in blood checked.
Depending upon the severity of deficiency,we can start on calcium and vitamin D supplements.

Other possibility is of carnitine deficiency.
Carnitine is required for smooth contractions and functioning of the skeletal muscles.
Lower than optimal carnitine levels in blood can cause such muscle pains.

L - carnitor tablets,taken once a day ,for 3 weeks usually provides pain relief.

Analgesic muscle relaxant tablets with local gel and hot fomentation can help.
Compression bandages / stockinettes around the painful muscles will be helpful.

Muscle stretching exercises should be done daily for atleast 15 minutes.

I hope the answer was useful.

Feel free to ask me any doubts that you may have.

Thank you.

Kind regards.

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy