Other common causes of leg pain include: Peripheral artery disease (PAD), which causes a problem with blood flow in the legs (this type of pain, called claudication, is generally felt when exercising or walking and is relieved by rest) Blood clot (deep vein thrombosis) from long-term bed rest.
Sometimes, leg pain can signal something more serious like a fracture, deep vein thrombosis or compartment syndrome. Seek medical attention urgently if: the leg is swollen. it looks deformed or you can't use it properly.
Leg Pain Can Indicate Risk for a Heart Attack or Stroke
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.
See your health care provider as soon as possible if you have: Symptoms of infection, such as redness, warmth or tenderness, or you have a fever greater than100 F (37.8 C). A leg that is swollen, pale or cooler than usual. Calf pain, especially after sitting for a long time, such as on a long car trip or plane ride.
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.
Without movement or exercise, the muscles are weakened and deprived of a steady supply of blood, oxygen and nutrients. This, in turn, can lead to muscle pain. Postural Adjusting Stress can also cause you to shift, sit, or stand in ways that aren't necessarily healthy or comfortable for your body.
High blood sugar (glucose) can injure nerves throughout the body. Diabetic neuropathy most often damages nerves in the legs and feet. Depending on the affected nerves, diabetic neuropathy symptoms include pain and numbness in the legs, feet and hands.
'Shin splints' is a term referring to pain felt anywhere along the shinbone from knee to ankle. People who play sports that involve a lot of running are particularly prone. Treatment options include rest, the regular use of icepacks on the affected area, and anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin.
Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes pain in muscles and soft tissues all over the body. It is an ongoing (chronic) condition. It can affect your neck, shoulders, back, chest, hips, buttocks, arms, and legs. The pain may be worse in the morning and evening.
It may affect your entire leg or only a specific area, such as your shin or your knee. Leg pain may be worse during certain times, such as during the night or first thing in the morning. Leg pain may worsen with activity and get better when resting. You may feel leg pain as stabbing, sharp, dull, aching or tingling.
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.
This is because the deposits of fatty cholesterol can break off, causing a clot or blockage in the arteries to the heart or brain. What is less well known is that, high-cholesterol may also cause pain in the extremities including your legs.
Medical Imaging Tests for Leg Pain
MRI Scan of the Spine, Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan, ultrasound, or plain x-rays are typically used while diagnosing leg pain. Imaging tests help identify herniated discs, abnormal bone growths (bone spurs), bone fractures, and tumors among others.
Leg pain from anxiety can be caused by cramps, muscle tension, sleeping issues, and even walking/posture issues caused by anxiety. Anxiety also may increase the perception of pain. Taking your mind off your leg is the first step, but reducing anxiety is the only long term fix.
As the pain comes and goes, it's easy to ignore it and wait for it to go away. But ignoring leg pain is never a good idea. If your leg pain is caused by vascular disease and you don't get treatment, you're on the road to developing poor circulation and serious complications that can lead to amputation.
Arterial Doppler Ultrasound
A Doppler ultrasound uses sound waves to produce images that highlight blood flow in the leg arteries.