Leg Injuries and Disorders

Because the legs bear the entire weight of the body, their bones, blood vessels, muscles, and ligaments are often prone to injuries such as sprains, strains, tears, dislocations, and fractures and to a number of disorders that may be present at birth or which develop over time. Disorders, such as hemiplegia, diplegia, and quadriplegia, may be either congenital, or they may result from diseases or accidents. Conditions such as osteoarthritis and bursitis may attack the joints of the legs, particularly if there have been prior injuries in those locations. Blood vessel disorders of the legs include varicose veins (dark-colored enlarged veins) and deep vein thrombosis (blood clots that may potentially lead to heart attacks and strokes if left untreated).

Leg injuries are often associated with particular occupations. Knee disorders, for instance are common among wrestlers, lacrosse players, football players, soccer players, coal miners, and carpet layers. Many farmers experience hip disorders. Both soccer players and ballet dancers are prone to disorders of the ankles and feet. Treatment for leg injuries is based on the location and extent of injuries. Common therapies include joint protection, lifestyle changes, nonsteroidal and anti-in-flammatory drugs, analgesics, acetaminophen, exercise, rehabilitation, surgery, and joint replacement.

Any part of the leg, which includes the knees, feet, ankles, and hips, may be affected by malformations and disorders. Malformations of the leg may be either unilateral (occurring only in one leg) or bilateral (occurring in both legs). In some cases malformations are the result of spurs or joint deterioration. Some leg disorders occur at any point in the lifespan, while others chiefly affect specific age groups. Club foot is present at birth, and congenital dislocations and coax vara (characterized by bowed legs and a waddling gait) tend to appear in infancy. Blount's disease, a growth order that causes the legs to bow outward just below the knees, is usually evident by the age of 4. Toxic synovitis (acute hip pain) generally attacks between the ages of two and nine or appears at puberty. Legg-Calvé-Perthes (a temporary hip disorder) surfaces between 3 and 12 years. Slipped capital femoral epiphysis is generally limited to individuals between the ages of 10 and 15, and osteoid osteoma (a benign bone lesion) exhibits in individuals between the ages of five and 30. In most cases, degenerative arthritis and neuropathic joint disease do [Page 1005]not create problems before the age of 40. Individuals of any age may experience infection, trauma, malignancy, rheumatoid arthritis, and aseptic necrosis.

Leg injuries are often associated with particular occupations. Knee disorders, for instance are common among wrestlers, lacrosse players, football players, soccer players, coal miners, and carpet layers.