20 Conditions That Can Cause Leg Pain
Leg pain can be caused by many things, including a muscle strain, cramps, or a more serious condition, such as a blood clot. It’s important to know the cause of your leg pain so that you can get the appropriate treatment. If you have unexplained leg pain, it is important to see a doctor in order to determine the cause and receive appropriate treatment. Here’re some of the common causes; (2)
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a condition that affects the blood vessels and blood circulation outside of your heart. It is mostly caused by atherosclerosis, a build-up of plaque in the arteries. This can lead to pain in the legs, feet, or arms when you walk or exercise. The most common symptom of PAD is leg pain, which can be caused by blocked or narrowed arteries in the legs. This can reduce the amount of blood and oxygen that reaches your legs, which can cause pain, cramping, or heaviness in your legs. You may also experience numbness or tingling in your feet.
PAD can also cause other problems, such as infections and gangrene and increase your risk of heart attack and stroke. If you have symptoms of PAD, see your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. Treatment for PAD may include lifestyle changes, medications, or surgery.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, is a condition caused by a blood clot that forms in one of the deep veins in your body, usually in your leg. This can happen secondary to multiple causes and reasons, but often occurs after someone has been sitting or standing for a long time. When a blood clot stops or blocks the blood flow through a vein, it can cause pain and swelling in the leg. Other symptoms can include leg pain, swelling, and redness. DVT can also lead to other problems, such as pulmonary embolism.
If left untreated, a DVT can travel to your lungs and cause a life-threatening pulmonary embolism. Treatment for DVT usually involves taking blood thinners to break up the clot.
Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy results when nerve damage affects the peripheral nervous system. This system includes all the nerves in the body except for the brain and spinal cord. Peripheral neuropathy can cause a wide variety of symptoms, depending on which nerves are damaged. The most common symptoms include pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness in the legs. The pain can be severe and disabling.
Peripheral neuropathy can be secondary to a variety of factors, including diabetes, alcohol abuse, infections, exposure to toxins, and autoimmune diseases. Treatment depends on the cause of the neuropathy. In some cases, medications or surgery may be needed to improve nerve function. In other cases, lifestyle changes or complementary therapies may be recommended.
Electrolyte Imbalance
Electrolytes are minerals in the blood that are important for nerve and muscle function. An electrolyte imbalance is a condition that can be caused by dehydration. When the body doesn’t have enough water, it can’t move electrolytes properly. When your electrolytes are imbalanced, it causes your muscles to cramp. This can lead to leg pain, confusion, and other health problems.
Effects of electrolyte imbalance are especially common in the legs, and causes a lot of pain. If you are experiencing leg pain, it is important to see a doctor to determine if you have an electrolyte imbalance. Treatment for an electrolyte imbalance typically includes taking supplements or medications to restore balance. In some cases, surgery may be necessary.
Spinal Stenosis
It is a condition in which the spinal canal narrows, often putting pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. This can cause leg pain by compressing the nerves in the spine. This compression can cause numbness, tingling, and pain in the legs. In severe cases, spinal stenosis can lead to paralysis. The most common complaint or symptom of spinal stenosis is leg pain that worsens when you walk or stand for a long time. It may go away when you sit down or rest. Other symptoms include: clumsiness or unsteadiness, a feeling like your feet are falling asleep, and weakness in one or both legs. If you experience any of the symptoms discussed, see a doctor immediately.
Sciatica
Sciatica is a condition that can cause leg pain. The pain is typically caused by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve runs from the lower back down the back of each leg. When this nerve is irritated (compressed), it can cause a variety of symptoms, including leg pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness. Sciatica can be caused by a number of things, including herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and piriformis syndrome. Treatment for sciatica typically includes medications such as NSAIDs and opioids, as well as physical therapy and surgery in some cases.
Arthritis
Arthritis involves swelling or inflammation of one or more joints. Arthritis pain often starts as a dull ache and may get worse over time. The pain can be minor to severe, depending on the type of arthritis you have. It can also affect other parts of the body, such as the legs.
One common symptom of arthritis is leg pain. This pain can be caused by inflammation in the joints, as well as tissues and muscles around the joint. In some cases, the pain may be so severe that it makes it difficult to walk or perform other activities.
Pulled Muscle
Leg pain is a common symptom that can be caused by a variety of injuries or conditions. One cause of leg pain that is often overlooked is a pulled muscle. A pulled muscle can occur anywhere in the body, but it most commonly affects the legs. When a muscle is pulled, it becomes inflamed and swollen. This can trigger pain and stiffness in the muscle. The pain may also spread to other parts of the body, such as the lower back or hips.
If you are experiencing leg pain, it is important to consult with a doctor to determine the cause. In some cases, a pulled muscle may require treatment such as physical therapy or medication.
Sprain
Sprain is a common injury that can cause leg pain. It happens when the ligaments, which connect the bones and hold the joints together, are overstretched or torn. This can happen from a fall, car accident, or sports injury. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and stiffness. The pain may be worse when you move the joint or put weight on it. Treatment includes ice, rest, and medication. Surgical intervention may be needed if the ligament is torn.
Muscle Cramp
A muscle cramp is an uncontrolled and often a painful contraction of a muscle. Muscle cramps can occur in any muscle, but are most common in the legs. The pain from a muscle cramp can be quite severe, and the cramped muscle can be quite difficult to relax. It may last for seconds, minutes, or hours. Many things can cause muscle cramps, including dehydration, overexertion, lack of electrolytes, and medications.
Treatment for a muscle cramp usually includes resting the cramped muscle, applying heat or ice to the area, and taking over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
Shin Splints
Shin Splints is a condition that results in pain along the shinbone. The cause of shin splints is not always clear, but it often develops when the muscles and tendons around the shinbone are overworked. This can happen when someone increases their activity level too quickly, such as going from running a few times a week to running every day. Shin splints can also be caused by flat feet, which can put excess stress on the muscles and tendons around the shinbone. Symptoms of shin splints include pain along the shinbone, swelling, and stiffness. Treatment for Shin splints usually includes rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). In some cases, physiotherapy may also be recommended.
Stress fracture
If you are experiencing leg pain, there’s a good chance you may be dealing with a stress fracture. This type of fracture is caused by repetitive or sustained stress on the bone. The pain usually worsens over time and can make it difficult to walk or participate in other activities. There are multiple environmental factors that can increase your risk of developing a stress fracture, including obesity, improper nutrition, lack of exercise, and smoking. Women are also more prone to this injury than men due to their smaller bone size.
Some common symptoms of a stress fracture include: dull aching pain in the leg, tenderness or swelling around the bone, difficulty bearing weight on the affected leg, and bruising. If you are experiencing above mentioned symptoms, it’s important to see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
Tendinitis
Tendinitis is a condition that results from inflammation of the tendon. This inflammation can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness in the affected area. The most common location for tendinitis to occur is in the Achilles tendon, which is located in the back of the ankle. However, it can also occur in other areas of the leg, such as the hamstring or calf muscles.
Tendinitis of the hamstring or calf muscles can be caused by a number of things, including overuse, injury, or infection. The most common symptoms are pain and swelling in the leg. In some cases, redness or warmth to the touch may be present.
Varicose veins
Varicose veins are enlarged and twisted veins that you can see just below the surface of your skin. They often look like cords or ropes, and can be blue, red, or flesh-colored. Varicose veins are a common medical condition that can cause leg pain and other symptoms, especially when you’re standing or walking.
These veins return blood to the heart, and when they become varicose, they can’t do their job properly. This can cause blood to pool in the veins, which can lead to pain. The pain may be a burning, throbbing, aching, or cramping sensation. It may also be accompanied by swelling and feelings of heaviness in your legs. Varicose veins can be managed and treated with a variety of methods, including lifestyle changes, medications, and surgery.
Burning thighs
Burning thighs can cause leg pain. It can be secondary to a number of factors, such as poor blood circulation, nerve damage, or muscle strain. If you’re experiencing burning thighs, it’s important to identify the underlying cause in order to receive appropriate treatment.
If poor blood circulation is to blame for your burning thigh, you may need to make some lifestyle changes in order to improve your overall health. This could include eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and quitting smoking. If nerve damage is the cause of your burning thigh, treatment will focus on relieving the symptoms and preventing further damage. In some cases, surgery may be necessary.
Trauma
Trauma can be several types and cause leg pain in a number of ways. One such way is release of chemicals that can sensitize nerves and cause pain. This type of burning pain is known as neuropathic pain. Trauma can also damage nerves, which can lead to pain. Additionally, trauma can cause inflammation and swelling, which can put pressure on nerves and lead to pain.
Calcium deficiency
If you’re experiencing leg pain, it could be due to a calcium deficiency. A lack of calcium can cause the muscles and nerves in your legs to become weak and painful. Other symptoms of a calcium deficiency include numbness and tingling in the limbs, cramps, and difficulty walking. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, see your doctor to find out if you need to increase your calcium intake. Taking a calcium supplement or eating more calcium-rich foods may help relieve your leg pain.
Injection neuropathy
Injection neuropathy is a type of neuropathy that is caused by an injury to a nerve. The injury can be caused by a direct blow to the nerve, or it can be caused by compression of the nerve. Injection neuropathy can cause pain and numbness in the leg. The pain may be constant or it may come and go. The numbness may be mild or it may be severe. Treatment for injection neuropathy includes medications to relieve the pain and physical therapy to improve strength and flexibility.
Cancer
Cancer is a serious disease that can cause many different types of symptoms. One common symptom of cancer is leg pain. Leg pain can be caused by the cancer itself, or by the treatments used to fight the cancer.
Cancer can cause leg pain in several ways. The cancer may grow and press on nerves or blood vessels in the leg, causing pain. The treatments used to fight cancer can also cause leg pain. Chemotherapy drugs, for example, can damage nerves and muscles in the legs. Radiation therapy can also damage tissue in the legs.