It is a condition that causes an uncontrollable urge to move our legs. It usually happens in the evening or nighttime hours when sitting or lying down. A dead leg can generate at any age and generally worsens with time. It can disrupt sleep, which interferes with daily activities.
Simple self-care steps and lifestyle changes may help relieve symptoms. Medications also help. However, Physiotherapy is a successful treatment for a dead leg.
What do we call a Dead leg?
Dead Leg is a condition when the thigh muscles receive a direct impact. When an injury occurs, it causes the thigh muscles to be crushed against the underlying thigh bone. As a result, bleeding can occur both within and around the power and thigh, which can lead to restricted movement.
However, Dead Leg can be treated conservatively with minimal complications. But in severe cases and when treated inappropriately, myositis ossificans may result.
What is Myositis ossificans?
In some severe cases of the dead leg, a condition known as myositis ossificans can develop. This involves the body laying down bone tissue into the muscle.
However, It can become extremely debilitating, and appropriate management early is important to avoid this.
Signs:
- Severe pain, swelling, and bruising.
- A lump or bump at the site of injury.
- Muscle activation causes severe pain.
Myositis ossificans is a long-term complication. However, in some cases where the functional return is extended, the ‘lump’ compromises blood circulation or nerve conduction. Like sciatica, surgery may be needed.
What are the Symptoms of a Dead Leg?
The major symptom is an urge to move the legs. You may also experience a gradual tightening and stiffening of the quadriceps.
However, Other symptoms may include:
- Mobility problems.
- Difficulty bearing weight.
- Reduced range of movement
- Muscle spasm.
- Cramps.
- Bruising or swelling.
However, Symptoms occur mainly at night. Also, Problems with falling asleep and staying asleep may result in daytime sleepiness.
How does a Dead Leg happen?
A dead leg is caused by a direct blow to the thigh. This can occur by being struck by an object. The blow crushes the quadriceps muscle against the underlying bone. This damages the quadriceps’ muscle fibres and blood vessels, causing bleeding and swelling.
What is a major cause of Dead leg?
Sciatica:
Sciatica is the nerve pain caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve. It originates in the lower back, radiates deep into the buttock, and travels down the Leg. Also, you may experience mild to severe pain anywhere along the sciatic nerve path.
It usually affects only one Leg at a time. Also, it can occur in both legs at the same time. Acute sciatica resolves within 1 – 2 weeks. In some cases, Home remedies may be adequate for relieving sciatica pain.
However, certain patients may develop chronic sciatica pain, which may wane but remains present over many years.
Injury:
Injuries to the torso, spine, hips, legs, ankles, and feet can pressure nerves and cause the feet and legs to go numb.
Diabetes:
Some people with diabetes develop a type of nerve damage called diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy can cause numbness, tingling, pain in the feet and the legs if severe.
What are the Home Remedies for Dead leg?
As soon as the injury occurs, apply the principle of PRICE – Protect, Relative rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. Or you can take medications such as NSAIDs etc. It will reduce inflammation in the area. However, If the condition worsens with time, you may consult a doctor.
What is the most commonly recommended treatment for Dead leg?
The most commonly recommended treatment for dead legs is physiotherapy.
Physiotherapy treatment for dead Leg:
Physiotherapy is important in the treatment of dead legs. Because through this, you can determine the exact tissues damaged. The main aim is to reduce pain and swelling and enhance the healing of the injured structures.
Also, Your physiotherapist will be able to use various treatment methods to reduce pain, promote healing and get you back to normal life and sport.
Treatment might include the following:
Electrotherapy:
Electrotherapy is the application of an electric current to the affected area of the body to accelerate healing and reduce swelling and pain. It is used to treat a variety of conditions.
Soft Tissue Treatment:
Soft tissue treatment involves assessing and treating any soft tissue injury that is causing pain and abnormal function. It includes ligaments, tendons, muscles and fascia.
However, physiotherapists use a number of soft tissue treatments depending on your symptoms.
Hydrotherapy:
Hydrotherapy involves carrying out exercises and specific physiotherapy techniques in warm water to help relieve pain, relax and strengthen muscles, increase circulation, and improve function.
However, It also allows adults and children who have limited mobility to maximize their mobility within the water.
Supportive strapping and taping:
Physiotherapists use taping or strapping for injury prevention or rehabilitation. The benefits of taping will depend on your injury. Some of the following benefits are:
- Injury prevention.
- Encourage normal movement.
- Quicker return to sport or work.
Strengthening exercises:
Strengthening exercises increase the strength of specific or groups of muscles because weak muscles can increase the risk of injury to the surrounding joints and soft tissues.
However, there are many different benefits of strengthening exercises. Some of them are:
- Muscle strength improvement.
- Reduced risk of injury.
- Improve function.
Cold therapy:
It involves the use of ice or a cryo cuff to cool down a damaged area of soft tissue following an injury. It is very effective when used in conjunction with the R.I.C.E. principle, which stands for Rest, Injury, Compression, Elevation.
The main benefit of cold therapy is that it lowers the metabolic rate at the sight of the injury. This helps the tissue to survive during the period following injury.
Balance Exercises:
Balance exercises are prescribed to improve your balance. It challenges the body’s vestibular system and the musculoskeletal system.
However, there are many benefits of balance exercises which are:
- Improved static balance.
- Increasing the body’s ability to react to balance challenging situations.
