The feet play a daily role in many of the activities we do: walking, cycling, driving, household chores, travelling, etc.
Why do my legs hurt during bending?
Leg pain through the bend of the leg, i.e. through the knees, is common and leads to discomfort when moving around. Knee pain is usually caused by inflammatory processes such as colds, but it can also be caused by sedentary work, sitting with the legs bent for long periods of time (e.g. when flying in an aeroplane or driving for long periods of time in a car). Excessive physical exertion and being overweight are also possible causes. Of course, injuries such as sprains and strains of ligaments, etc., should not be overlooked.
In many cases, pain in the leg during flexion is also due to wear and tear. As the cartilage of the kneecap softens and wears over the years, the soft tissues become more vulnerable and painful.
Leg pain during flexion: when to seek medical attention?
If you have pain in your leg during flexion, you should not have to suffer for long - the sooner you see a specialist, the sooner targeted action can be taken to address the cause of the pain. You should see a doctor if you:
- you cannot stand up on the painful leg because of the pain in the flexor;
- your knee is red, swollen and hot;
- a visible deformity of the knee joint;
- the pain goes away but recurs after a while;
- you have suffered a knee injury;
- when walking, jogging or doing other activities, you feel that the leg is unstable during bending;
- you cannot bend and extend your leg normally.
How can I help myself when my leg hurts during flexion?
The best solution is to see a doctor. The doctor will identify the cause of the pain and prescribe the best treatment, taking into account the patient's complaints, examining the painful area and carrying out the necessary tests. In some cases, medical treatment will be enough, in others surgical intervention will be necessary.
If the cause of your pain is not an injury, you should not give the painful leg a complete rest. Special exercise is the perfect cure for a sore knee. But it is very important that the right exercises are shown to the patient by a doctor, as not all exercises may be suitable depending on the diagnosis.
During the healing period, and to reduce pain, it is a good idea to purchase a knee splint. When the leg is painful during flexion, an elastic knee splint is an excellent choice, breathable, providing excellent compression during flexion, reliable reinforcement of the knee joint, activation of blood circulation, and reduction of pain. Another option is a neoprene knee brace with or without Velco strips (removable). It is also ideal for stabilising the leg during flexion. Neoprene warms the joint, absorbs moisture and evaporates it quickly, so wearing this splint will be very comfortable.
Depending on the cause of the pain, it may also be worth considering special orthopaedic insoles that provide comfort and excellent load distribution.
