How to treat neuralgic leg pain

Treatment for neuropathic leg pain includes medication, physical therapy, and surgery to relieve pain and improve nerve function. The most appropriate treatment plan should be selected based on the cause.

Neuropathic leg pain is usually caused by nerve compression, inflammation or damage. Common causes include lumbar disc herniation, sciatica or diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Drug treatment is the most commonly used method, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen) to relieve inflammation and pain, anti-neuropathic drugs (such as gabapentin) to regulate nerve signals, or local anesthetics (such as lidocaine patches) directly applied to the painful area. Physical therapy relieves pain through hot compresses, cold compresses and electrical stimulation therapy. Physical therapists may also guide patients to perform exercises to strengthen muscles and improve posture to reduce nerve compression. For severe cases, if conservative treatment is ineffective or obvious nerve dysfunction occurs, minimally invasive surgery (such as discectomy), nerve decompression surgery or spinal fusion can be selected to solve the problem.

Daily care is equally important. It is recommended to avoid sitting for long periods of time, maintain a correct posture, and perform appropriate low-intensity leg exercises, such as slow walking or swimming, to help relieve local pressure and improve blood circulation. At the same time, a balanced diet is required, and the intake of B vitamins (such as whole grains and green leafy vegetables) is increased to promote nerve repair. If the pain persists or worsens, you should see a doctor as soon as possible to identify the cause and develop a targeted treatment plan.