Physical Therapy and Treatment for Leg Pain in New Jersey

L

eg pain is a common complaint. Some forms, such as temporary cramps and bruises, are relatively harmless. Others may require medical treatment. Neglecting treatment may have lasting negative effects on a person’s mobility and quality of life.

Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics (CNSO) is the premier leg pain treatment provider in New Jersey. CNSO employs a variety of rehabilitative treatment options, emphasizing non-surgical methods like physical therapy or pain management, to help patients struggling with pain find relief.

Causes of Leg Pain

Legs feature a complex interconnected construction of muscles, bones, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and nerves. Together, these structures are responsible for carrying the body’s weight while enabling mobility. A problem with even one structure can affect the function of the whole. Leg pain arises from a variety of muscular, skeletal, and nervous conditions, including the following common causes:

Overuse Injuries

• Achilles tendinitis
• Bursitis
• Patellar tendinitis
• Compartment syndrome
• Runner’s knee (patellofemoral pain syndrome)
• Shin splints
• Stress fractures

Acute Injuries

• Achilles tendon rupture
• ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury
• Hamstring injury
• Torn meniscus
• Muscle strains or sprains
• Leg fracture

Arthritis

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Gout
• Pseudogout

Nerve Problems

• Sciatica
• Spinal stenosis
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Herniated disc
• Meralgia paresthetica (tingling, numbness, and burning pain in the outer thigh caused by compression of the nerve that provides feeling to the skin on the thigh)

Other Conditions

• Restless leg syndrome
• Infections
• Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
• Deep vein thrombosis (blood clot causing pain and swelling)
• Muscle cramp

Risk Factors of Leg Pain

Leg pain is common and affects almost everyone at some point in their lives. However, certain people are at higher risk of developing a serious leg injury or condition. This is due to risk factors such as:

• Sports participation: Leg injuries are most common in athletes, especially those who play sports that require frequent jumping, high-intensity running, or sudden stops and turns. Athletes are the most at risk right after increasing the intensity or length of their training.
• Job responsibilities: Some manual labor jobs have physical requirements that are demanding on the legs. This may result in injury risk levels like those seen in sports, as well as a higher incidence of overuse injuries like tendinitis or stress fractures.
• Improper footwear: Wearing inappropriate or poorly fitting shoes, especially during athletic activity, creates instability. A sudden, even minor footwear malfunction can greatly increase the risk of overextending in a manner that results in a sprain, strain, or tear.
• Dietary health: Some leg conditions may be impacted by a person’s diet. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, insufficient hydration, and being overweight are all associated with higher rates of muscular or circulatory issues that cause leg pain.
• Aging: As it ages, the body tends to experience more wear and tear. Older people – especially those over the age of 65 – have more fragile joints that are more vulnerable to injury. They may also be susceptible to arthritis and other degenerative conditions.

Diagnosis of Leg Pain

The best treatments address pain at its source. To determine the origin of a patient’s symptoms, pain management physicians and physical therapists at CNSO employ a rigorous diagnostic process. This includes:

• Medical history assessment: The specialist starts by accessing and analyzing the patient’s medical history. This step helps them identify past injuries, existing conditions, and other factors that may cause or contribute to the patient’s pain.
• Physical examination: Next, the specialist will perform a physical examination. Using gentle tissue manipulation and instructed movements, they determine where pain is localized and how it affects flexibility, reflexes, and other areas of function.
• Diagnostic imaging tests: The diagnostic process concludes with a series of imaging tests, which may include X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, or computed tomography (CT) scans. These may reveal hidden injuries or abnormalities.

Each step of this process provides information about the patient’s condition, helping the pain management physician or physical therapist form a full understanding. This will then inform their treatment plan to address the patient’s pain most effectively.

Non-Surgical Treatments for Leg Pain

CNSO is proud to be a premier New Jersey pain management treatment provider. The strong reputation is partly due to a conservative approach to treatment, which prioritizes non-invasive methods before suggesting surgery.

Treatment plans at CNSO are designed by a coordinated, multi-disciplinary team of neurosurgeons, orthopedic spine surgeons, interventional pain management physicians, physiatrists, rehabilitation specialists, and certified physical therapists. They combine their fields of expertise to develop a comprehensive, custom care plan that addresses every aspect of a patient’s condition. Patient goals are prioritized and often are achievable through non-surgical means, such as:

Lifestyle Modifications

CNSO physical therapists may suggest changes to a patient’s everyday habits, activity levels, and lifestyle to allow rest and prevent re-injury. Recommendations may include:

• Stretching before a workout or training session
• Taking breaks during high-intensity activities
• Wearing activity-appropriate footwear that fits well
• Maintaining a healthy diet with plenty of potassium
• Hydrating properly, especially when working out
• Reducing or quitting alcohol and smoking
• Wearing a stabilizing brace

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is CNSO’s preferred approach to pain management and a proven alternative to methods that rely on medication or surgery. Patients are provided with a personalized regimen that combines multiple approaches, such as exercises, heat and ice therapy, tissue manipulation, ultrasound, and others, to relieve pain while gradually restoring function in the affected leg. CNSO offers physical therapy at locations in Wayne, Paramus, Morristown, and Jersey City, NJ.

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Colloquially known as NSAIDs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are often used to relieve pain and inflammation. While they cannot address pain at its source, they provide fast-acting relief to keep patients functional while working toward a long-term solution through physical therapy. NSAIDs are available over the counter at pharmacies and many retail locations. They may also be prescribed in higher doses by a physical therapist or pain management specialist.

Oral Corticosteroids

Oral corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory drugs like NSAIDs, available through prescription only. They are most often prescribed in short courses that last five to seven days. Sometimes, a course of oral corticosteroids may be followed by a course of NSAIDs.

Steroid and Medication Injections

Oral medications are not always sufficient to provide the pain relief and functionality patients are looking for. If patients need more aggressive treatment, their pain management doctor or physical therapist may recommend epidural steroid injections or joint injections. This treatment involves injecting a small amount of steroid or other medication into the inflamed joint. The injection provides focused relief that acts faster, lasts longer, and has a stronger effect than an oral medication.

Surgical Treatments for Leg Pain

Leg pain does not always improve with conservative treatments. In others, it is caused by an underlying condition that cannot be treated non-invasively. If surgery is deemed necessary, the patient’s physical therapist will coordinate care with the appropriate surgical specialist. Procedures are performed by experienced and award-winning orthopedic spine surgeons, and physical therapy is used afterward to facilitate a fast and smooth recovery.

Trust CNSO for Leg Pain Care

Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics (CNSO) understands the impact leg pain can have on a person’s quality of life. When patients trust CNSO for their care, they receive treatment from an award-winning multi-disciplinary team of certified physical therapists and pain management specialists. CNSO offers multiple convenient locations across northern New Jersey, providing high-quality treatments for leg pain. To learn more, contact the medical team today.