NEW: Express access to COVID-19 vaccine record is now available.MyHealth.Alberta.ca Network

Main Content

Top of the pageCheck Your Symptoms

Leg Injuries

Overview

Minor leg injuries are common. Symptoms often develop from everyday wear and tear, overuse, or an injury. Leg injuries are most likely to occur during:

  • Sports or recreational activities.
  • Work-related tasks.
  • Work or projects around the home.

Most leg injuries in children and teens occur during sports or play or from falls. The risk for injury is higher in contact sports, such as wrestling, football, or soccer. It's also higher in high-speed sports, such as biking, in-line skating, skiing, snowboarding, and skateboarding. Knees, ankles, and feet are the most affected body areas. Any injury that occurs at the end of a long bone near a joint may injure the growth plate. It needs to be checked by a doctor.

Older adults have a higher risk for injuries and fractures. That's because they lose muscle mass and bone strength (osteoporosis) as they age. They also have more problems with vision and balance, which increases their risk for falls or injury.

Most minor injuries will heal on their own. Home treatment is usually all that's needed.

Acute (traumatic) injury

An acute injury may be caused by a direct blow, a penetrating injury, or a fall. Or it may be caused by twisting, jerking, jamming, or bending a limb abnormally. Pain may be sudden and severe. Bruising and swelling may start soon after the injury. These injuries usually need prompt medical care. They may include:

  • Bruises (contusions). These occur when small blood vessels under the skin tear or rupture, often from a twist, bump, or fall. Blood leaks into tissues under the skin. It causes a black-and-blue colour that often turns colours, including purple, red, yellow, and green, as the bruise heals.
  • Injuries to the tough, ropy fibres (ligaments) that connect bone to bone and help stabilize joints (sprains).
  • Injuries to the tough, ropy fibres that connect muscle to bone (tendons), such as a ruptured Achilles tendon.
  • Pulled muscles (strains), such as a hamstring strain.
  • Muscle ruptures, such as gastrocnemius rupture.
  • Broken bones (fractures). A break, such as a lower leg fracture, may occur when a bone is twisted, bent, jammed, struck directly, or used to brace against a fall.
  • Pulling or pushing bones out of the normal position among the other bones that make up a joint (dislocations).

Overuse injuries

Overuse injuries occur when too much stress is placed on a joint or other tissue. This can happen when you "overdo" an activity or do the same activity over and over again. Overuse injuries include:

  • Inflammation of the sac of fluid that cushions and lubricates the bones (bursitis).
  • Inflammation, tearing, or fraying of the tough, ropy fibres that connect muscles to bones (tendinitis).
  • Hairline cracks in bones, such as stress fractures of the foot.
  • Inflammation of the fibrous covering of the bone (periosteum) where muscle fibres attach to it (shin splints).
  • Inflammation of the plantar fascia. This is a broad, flat ligament on the bottom of the foot (plantar fasciitis).
  • Inflammation at the top of the shin bone (tibia) where the patellar tendon attaches to a bony prominence (Osgood-Schlatter disease). This is more likely to occur during rapid growth periods. It's usually seen in teen athletes, especially those who play football, basketball, or soccer, and those who are involved with gymnastics and dance. The disease involves both legs about 25% of the time. It's rarely a chronic, lifelong condition.

Treatment

Treatment for a leg injury may include rest, ice, elevation, and other first aid (such as using a brace, splint, or cast), or physiotherapy. Some leg injuries are treated with medicine or surgery, especially if a bone is broken. Treatment depends on:

  • The location and type of injury, and how bad it is.
  • When the injury occurred.
  • Your age, health condition, and activities, such as work, sports, or hobbies.
Information about Leg Injuries

Current as of: July 31, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

Information about Leg Injuries

Current as of: July 31, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.