Is leg pain something to worry about?

See your doctor as soon as possible if you have:
A leg that is swollen, pale or unusually cool. Calf pain, particularly after prolonged sitting, such as on a long car trip or plane ride. Swelling in both legs along with breathing problems. Any serious leg symptoms that develop for no apparent reason.

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Can pain in leg be serious?

Leg Pain Could Indicate Vein or Artery Disease

Often, leg pain is misdiagnosed as simply muscle aches or arthritis. The reality is leg pain and cramps may be signs of a more serious underlying disease; therefore, you should discuss your leg challenges with a vascular specialist.

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What do leg pains indicate?

Most leg pain results from wear and tear, overuse, or injuries in joints or bones or in muscles, ligaments, tendons or other soft tissues. Some types of leg pain can be traced to problems in your lower spine. Leg pain can also be caused by blood clots, varicose veins or poor circulation.

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What diseases start with leg pain?

What's Causing Your Leg Pain?
  • Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) 1/15. With this condition, your limbs -- typically your legs -- don't get enough blood. ...
  • Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) 2/15. ...
  • Peripheral Neuropathy. 3/15. ...
  • Electrolyte Imbalance. 4/15. ...
  • Spinal Stenosis. 5/15. ...
  • Sciatica. 6/15. ...
  • Arthritis. 7/15. ...
  • Pulled Muscle. 8/15.

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Does leg pain indicate heart problems?

Leg Pain Can Indicate Risk for a Heart Attack or Stroke

Peripheral artery disease that causes leg pain can be indicative of heart issues. People that have PAD are at a higher risk of having a stroke or heart attack. This could be a sign that the coronary arteries are blocked and the blood flow is reduced.

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Your Leg Pain Questions Answered with Dr. Joshua Dearing

30 related questions found

What do blocked arteries in legs feel like?

Claudication is a symptom of a narrowing or blockage of an artery. Typical symptoms of claudication include: Pain, a burning feeling, or a tired feeling in the legs and buttocks when you walk. Shiny, hairless, blotchy foot skin that may get sores.

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Can a blocked artery cause leg pain?

The narrowing of the arteries causes a decrease in blood flow. Symptoms include leg pain, numbness, cold legs or feet and muscle pain in the thighs, calves or feet.

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What is vascular leg pain like?

Vascular pain often feels like an uncomfortable heaviness or throbbing sensation. It can also feel like an aching sensation. It usually affects your legs and can be worse with walking or exerting yourself.

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What illness affects your legs?

Types of Vascular Disease of the Legs
  • Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). ...
  • Pelvic Congestion Syndrome (PCS). ...
  • May-Thurner Syndome (MTS). ...
  • Chronic Venous Insufficiency. ...
  • Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). ...
  • Post-Thrombotic Syndrome (PTS).

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What are the signs of a blood clot in the leg?

Symptoms of DVT in the leg are:
  • throbbing or cramping pain in 1 leg (rarely both legs), usually in the calf or thigh.
  • swelling in 1 leg (rarely both legs)
  • warm skin around the painful area.
  • red or darkened skin around the painful area.
  • swollen veins that are hard or sore when you touch them.

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What should I do if my leg hurts for no reason?

If you have leg pain from cramps or overuse, take these steps first:
  1. Rest as much as possible.
  2. Elevate your leg.
  3. Apply ice for up to 15 minutes. ...
  4. Gently stretch and massage cramping muscles.
  5. Take over-the-counter pain medicines such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

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How long should I wait to see a doctor for leg pain?

See your doctor if you have severe lower leg pain or persists for more than a few days. The pain could indicate a more severe condition that requires medical treatment. For instance, if you can't bear weight on your leg or the pain is accompanied by swelling, redness, or fever, you should seek medical attention.

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Do all blood clots start in the legs?

You can get them in blood vessels in just about any part of your body. They're most likely to affect a leg, especially if you sit for long periods of time. You might get a clot in your arteries, which carry oxygen in your blood from your heart to all the cells of your body. The result can be really serious.

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When should I be worried about muscle pain?

Get immediate medical care if you have muscle pain with:

Trouble breathing or dizziness. Extreme muscle weakness. A high fever and stiff neck.

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What is ischemic leg pain?

Ischemic limb pain, or critical limb ischemia, is a condition where there is a severe blockage of plaque buildup in the arteries in your legs. It can lead to pain in your legs, feet and toes; poor circulation; and wounds that won't heal.

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What does ischemic leg pain feel like?

The most prominent features of critical limb ischemia are called ischemic rest pain — severe pain in the legs and feet while a person is not moving, or non-healing sores on the feet or legs. Other symptoms include: Pain or numbness in the feet. Shiny, smooth, dry skin of the legs or feet.

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Which leg is your main artery in?

The femoral artery is the major blood vessel supplying blood to your legs. It's in your upper thigh, right near your groin. The artery is a common access point for minimally invasive, catheter-based procedures because of its large diameter.

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Can high cholesterol cause leg pain?

Increased risk of leg pain and numbness

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a complication that can develop when the arteries in your legs get too narrow due to buildup from high cholesterol levels. PAD can cause numbness and tingling in your legs or feet.

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How do I know if my artery is clogged?

Symptoms
  1. Chest pain (angina). You may feel pressure or tightness in your chest. ...
  2. Shortness of breath. You may feel like you can't catch your breath.
  3. Fatigue. If the heart can't pump enough blood to meet your body's needs, you may feel unusually tired.
  4. Heart attack.

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Why do my legs ache in bed?

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) can cause aching legs at night due to high pressure in the veins and stagnant venous blood from sitting or standing all day. Proper daily leg elevation can help relieve this pressure. Nervousness and restless leg syndrome usually result in legs that feel heavy, jittery, and shaky.

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How do they check for blockage in legs?

Segmental Doppler pressure testing checks different parts of your legs for narrowed or blocked arteries. This method is similar to ABI testing but uses blood pressure cuffs placed at thigh, calf, and ankle levels.

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How do you clear your arteries in your legs?

Angioplasty is a procedure to open narrowed or blocked blood vessels that supply blood to your legs. Fatty deposits can build up inside the arteries and block blood flow. A stent is a small, metal mesh tube that keeps the artery open. Angioplasty and stent placement are two ways to open blocked peripheral arteries.

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Can you live with a blocked artery in your leg?

If left untreated, the condition can cause severe leg pain (claudication), difficulty walking or standing, and may even lead to limb loss. It is important to know your symptoms and when you should see a doctor. Keep reading below to know more about the symptoms of arterial blockages (peripheral artery disease).

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How do you check for blood clots in legs at home?

This evaluation, known as Homan's Test, consists of laying flat on your back and extending the knee in the suspected leg. Have a friend or family member raise the extended leg to 10 degrees, then have them squeeze the calf. If there's deep pain in the calf, it may be indicative of DVT.

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Is it a blood clot or just leg pain?

But there are some clues that can help you figure out if you should see your provider: DVTs typically cause one-sided leg swelling, redness, and warmth that worsens over time. Leg cramps tend to occur at night, come on suddenly, and get better after a few seconds or minutes.

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