Health and Me

Aarushi Bhadury

NHS Warns This Kind Of Muscle Pain Should Not Be Ignored, Signs You Should Visit Your Doctor

Usually, when your muscle hurts, it's just from working out too hard, pulling a muscle, or getting a bruise. The pain is normal and goes away after a while. However, the <span>National Health Service</span> (<span>NHS</span>) wants people to know that some types of <span>muscle pain</span> are not normal and could be a medical emergency. 

Muscle cramps and pain are considered normal; you may have hurt your leg by a fall, stretched your muscles wrong etc. However, not all pain is harmless and it can lead to more serious consequences. Here is how you identify whether your muscle pain is in dangerous territory or not. 

<h2>Signs You Should See A Doctor Immediately </h2>

NHS explains that one should get help right away if your muscle pain feels like: 

<ul><li>A "burning pain" (like something hot is inside your leg or arm).</li><li>A "deep ache" that feels very intense and goes deep into the muscle.</li></ul>

It's a major red flag if this pain gets much worse when you try to move the sore body part. If you have these symptoms, doctors worry it could be a serious problem called <span>Compartment Syndrome</span>. 

The strong, thin layer of tissue which holds your muscles is called fascia. A compartment is just one of these tight bundles of muscle, blood vessels, and nerves. 

Compartment syndrome happens when something causes a lot of swelling or bleeding inside that bundle. Because the fascia around the muscle doesn't stretch easily, the pressure inside the compartment goes up very fast. 

This high pressure squeezes the blood vessels and nerves, stopping blood from flowing properly. When blood can't get in to bring oxygen or out to remove waste, the muscle tissue starts to die. That's what causes the severe pain. 

<h2>What Are The Symptoms of Compartment Syndrome? </h2>

It's important to watch out for these symptoms, especially if they follow an injury or intense activity: 

<strong>Intense Pain:</strong> The pain is severe, much worse than normal soreness. It might feel like a deep, burning ache inside the muscle. 

<strong>Worse with Movement: </strong>If you try to move the sore arm or leg, the pain gets instantly and much worse. 

<strong>Swelling: </strong>The muscle might look puffy, or it might feel rock-hard or tight to the touch. 

<strong>Odd Sensations:</strong> You might feel numbness, a pins-and-needles feeling, or feel weak in your hand or foot. 

<strong>Tightness:</strong> The area feels so tight you have trouble moving it normally. 

<h2>How is <span rel="noindex">Compartment Syndrome Treated</span>? </h2>

If the problem is sudden and severe (Acute Compartment Syndrome), it is an emergency, and doctors must act right away. 

The surgeon makes a long cut through the tough skin (the muscle cover) that is squeezing the muscle. This immediately releases the pressure, allowing blood to flow normally again to the muscle and nerves. 

Afterward, you'll need pain medication, and sometimes a skin graft (taking skin from another part of your body) to cover the large wound. You will also need physiotherapy to help the muscle get back its full movement and strength. Since the pain here is linked to exercise, treatment usually starts with changes to your routine: 

<ul><li>Stop activities that trigger the pain. For example, if running hurts, try riding a bike or swimming instead.</li><li>Use anti-inflammatory medicines (like ibuprofen) to ease the discomfort.</li><li>A physical therapist will teach you special stretches and strengthening moves.</li><li>If you run, wearing special shoe inserts might help. </li><li>If these easy changes don't work after a few months, your doctor might then suggest a small surgery.</li></ul>

Health Conditions A-Z

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Muscle Pain

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Compartment Syndrome

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Usually, when your muscle hurts, it's just from working out too hard, pulling a muscle, or getting a bruise. The pain is normal and goes away after a while. However, the National Health Service (NHS) wants people to know that some types of muscle pain are not normal and could be a medical emergency. Muscle cramps and pain are considered normal; you may have hurt your leg by a fall, stretched your muscles wrong etc. However, not all pain is harmless and it can lead to more serious consequences. Here is how you identify whether your muscle pain is in dangerous territory or not. Signs You Should See A Doctor Immediately NHS explains that one should get help right away if your muscle pain feels like: A "burning pain" (like something hot is inside your leg or arm).A "deep ache" that feels very intense and goes deep into the muscle.It's a major red flag if this pain gets much worse when you try to move the sore body part. If you have these symptoms, doctors worry it could be a serious problem called Compartment Syndrome. What is Compartment Syndrome? The strong, thin layer of tissue which holds your muscles is called fascia. A compartment is just one of these tight bundles of muscle, blood vessels, and nerves. Compartment syndrome happens when something causes a lot of swelling or bleeding inside that bundle. Because the fascia around the muscle doesn't stretch easily, the pressure inside the compartment goes up very fast. This high pressure squeezes the blood vessels and nerves, stopping blood from flowing properly. When blood can't get in to bring oxygen or out to remove waste, the muscle tissue starts to die. That's what causes the severe pain. What Are The Symptoms of Compartment Syndrome? It's important to watch out for these symptoms, especially if they follow an injury or intense activity: Intense Pain: The pain is severe, much worse than normal soreness. It might feel like a deep, burning ache inside the muscle. Worse with Movement: If you try to move the sore arm or leg, the pain gets instantly and much worse. Swelling: The muscle might look puffy, or it might feel rock-hard or tight to the touch. Odd Sensations: You might feel numbness, a pins-and-needles feeling, or feel weak in your hand or foot. Tightness: The area feels so tight you have trouble moving it normally. How is Compartment Syndrome Treated? If the problem is sudden and severe (Acute Compartment Syndrome), it is an emergency, and doctors must act right away. The Surgery (Fasciotomy) The surgeon makes a long cut through the tough skin (the muscle cover) that is squeezing the muscle. This immediately releases the pressure, allowing blood to flow normally again to the muscle and nerves. Recovery Afterward, you'll need pain medication, and sometimes a skin graft (taking skin from another part of your body) to cover the large wound. You will also need physiotherapy to help the muscle get back its full movement and strength. Since the pain here is linked to exercise, treatment usually starts with changes to your routine: Stop activities that trigger the pain. For example, if running hurts, try riding a bike or swimming instead.Use anti-inflammatory medicines (like ibuprofen) to ease the discomfort.A physical therapist will teach you special stretches and strengthening moves.If you run, wearing special shoe inserts might help. If these easy changes don't work after a few months, your doctor might then suggest a small surgery.