Causes of Leg Pain
There are several causes of leg pain including arterial problems, venous problems, arthritis, nerves or gout. It basically boils down to your bones, muscles, nerves, or blood supply. Vascular surgeons can differentiate between different sources of pain.
Video from Peripheral Vascular Associates
1. Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
With this condition, your extremities - usually your legs - don't get enough blood. This is usually caused by narrowing of the arteries. You may feel weakness, numbness, or cramping in your legs when you walk. They may feel cold and have a strange color. Some people can manage peripheral arterial disease by changing habits, such as quitting smoking. If that doesn't work, your doctor may give you medication to treat the problem or to help with the pain. But some people need surgery.
2. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
This is a blood clot in a vein, usually in your thigh or lower leg. They don't always cause symptoms, but your leg may feel sore and swollen and it may be warm and red in color. Call your doctor at once if you notice any of these. DVT can lead to a serious condition called pulmonary embolism -- when a clot breaks off and travels to your lungs. Your doctor can give you medication to prevent clots from forming, growing or breaking apart.
3. Peripheral neuropathy
This happens when there is damage to the nerves in your body that transmit messages to and from your brain. The most common cause is diabetes, but it can be caused by other health conditions, medications, injuries, or infections. If it affects the nerves in your legs, it may feel tingling or tingly, or it may be numb or weak. Your doctor will treat the condition causing it and give you pain medication if you need it.
4. Electrolyte imbalance, electrolyte imbalance
Electrolytes are minerals like sodium, potassium, and calcium that help your muscles work the way they should. You lose some sweat when you exercise, and if you lose a lot, your legs can cramp or feel weak or numb. It can happen when you get certain medical treatments, like chemotherapy, too. Sports drinks that contain electrolytes — or water with foods that contain those minerals — can help. See your doctor if you cramp often.
5. spinal stenosis
This condition occurs when the spaces within the bones in your spine narrow. This compresses nerves in the area and can cause pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness in your legs. You may also have trouble balancing. See your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms. Medications can ease the pain, and physical therapy can help, too. If these methods do not work, you may need surgery.
6. Sciatica
This is leg pain that comes from a pinched nerve at the bottom of the spine. It can range from a bad cramping to a severe shooting pain that makes it difficult to stand or even sit. You may feel it because of a slipped or herniated disc, a herniated disc, a buttock muscle spasm, or spinal stenosis. Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter pain medications or physical therapy. If you have a more serious condition, you may need surgery.
7. arthritis
This is a common condition that affects your joints and causes pain, swelling, and stiffness. When it occurs in the hips, knees, or ankles, it can be difficult to walk or do other daily activities. There is no cure, but exercise and maintaining a healthy weight can help. Heating pads or ice packs on aching joints can relieve pain and swelling. You can also use over-the-counter pain relievers.
8. muscle strain
This happens when a muscle is stretched too much. A lot happens to people who exercise. The pain is severe and begins immediately, and the area is sensitive to the touch. The best treatment is to apply ice with cold compresses for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day. Farther away, gently wrap the area, keep it elevated if you can, and rest it. Over-the-counter pain relievers can relieve pain.
9. torsion
This injury occurs when the tissue that connects bone to bone, called a ligament, is stretched or torn. Ankle sprains are common. The affected area swells and hurts and you cannot put any weight on it. The best way to treat it is R.I.C.E. Method - rest, ice (wrapped in a thin towel about 20 minutes several times a day), compression (wrap it with a bandage), elevation (support it). Visit your doctor so he or she can take an X-ray and examine the broken bones.
10. Muscle spasm
This occurs when a muscle, usually in the calf, suddenly narrows. It can cause sharp pain, and you may feel a hard lump in the muscle under your skin. Cramps tend to occur more often as you age, and you're also more likely to get them if you're outside in hot weather and don't drink enough water. Cramps usually go away on their own and aren't usually a sign of any health problem, but talk to your doctor if you experience them often.
11. shin splints
This occurs when the muscles and tissues surrounding the shin bone become inflamed, injuring the inner edge of the bone. It's common among people who run a lot. Flat feet, rigid arches, or faulty shoes may also cause it. The best treatment is to rest your legs, put cold compresses on them for 20 minutes several times a day, and take pain relievers if you need them. But see your doctor so he can make sure it's not more serious.
12. stress fracture
If your shin splint-like pain doesn't improve, you may have a small incision in your shin bone. It occurs when the muscles surrounding the bones are overused and do not loosen the effect of movement as they should. Rest is the best treatment for a stress fracture, but recovery may take 6 to 8 weeks. Make sure it is completely healed before you start exercising again so that the bone injury doesn't get worse.
13. tendinitis
Tendons are the flexible cords that connect muscle to bone. It can hurt a lot if they become inflamed, especially when you move this joint. This is called tendinitis, and it is a wear-and-tear injury that can affect the hip, knee or ankle joints. As with a sprain, the best way to treat it is with an R.I.C.E. method. And see your doctor so he can rule out other problems. They may also suggest anti-inflammatory pain relievers such as ibuprofen or naproxen.
14. varicose veins
When the veins have to work extra hard to get blood back to your heart, they swell and look crooked, blue or dark purple. It can make your legs feel heavy, burning, throbbing, or cramping. Your risk increases as you age, or if you are overweight, pregnant, or stand or sit for long periods. Losing weight, exercising, or wearing compression stockings may help. If they don't, talk to your doctor about other treatment options.
15. burning thigh pain
Paraesthesia of the thigh is a nerve problem that causes painful burning, numbness, or tingling in the upper part of the thigh. Your chances of developing it are higher if you are pregnant, obese, or wear tight clothing or surgical tissue in the groin area. You can relieve symptoms with over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. If the pain lasts more than two months, your doctor may recommend stronger, prescribed medications.