Most leg pain results from wear and tear or overuse. It also can result from injuries or health conditions in joints, bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves or other soft tissues. Some types of leg pain can be traced to problems in your lower spine.
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.
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.
Signs that you may have a blood clot
leg pain or discomfort that may feel like a pulled muscle, tightness, cramping or soreness. swelling in the affected leg. redness or discoloration of the sore spot. the affected area feeling warm to the touch.
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. The arteries which supply blood to the leg originate from the aorta and iliac vessels.
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.
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.
Venous hypertension / insufficiency can cause tired throbbing painful legs. Tired, throbbing and painful legs might be connected to problems with the veins in our lower legs. Blood is pumped from our heart to the rest of our body through our arteries. It returns to our heart through our veins.
Does blood clot pain come and go? Unlike the pain from a charley horse that usually goes away after stretching or with rest, the pain from a blood clot does not go away and usually gets worse with time.
Lying on the side can cause or exacerbate leg pain in a couple ways: Putting direct pressure on a nerve root by lying on the leg affected by sciatic pain. Lying with the hips tilted too far to one side, which causes the spine to curve, pinching the nerve roots and causing leg pain.
Go to the doctor when you have leg pain that starts to disrupt your daily activities but is not enough to warrant emergency care.
Most cases of leg pain go away either on their own or with self-care measures. However, there are cases that warrant a visit to an orthopedist for prompt intervention. An orthopedist is a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of injuries and conditions that affect the bones and soft tissues.
Poor circulation can cause a number of symptoms, including: Muscles that hurt or feel weak when you walk. A “pins and needles” sensation on your skin. Pale or blue skin color.
The femoral artery is the major blood vessel supplying blood to your legs. It's in your upper thigh, right near your groin.
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.
Known as peripheral artery disease or PAD, the condition is caused by blockages that develop when the arteries that carry blood to the legs become clogged by plaque, the same sticky mix of calcium and cholesterol that can lead to blocked coronary arteries in the heart.
Chest pain, chest tightness, chest pressure and chest discomfort (angina) Shortness of breath. Pain in the neck, jaw, throat, upper belly area or back. Pain, numbness, weakness or coldness in the legs or arms if the blood vessels in those body areas are narrowed.
Atherosclerosis—or clogging—in the peripheral arteries is dangerous. If you have atherosclerosis in your legs, it's almost certainly occurring elsewhere in the body. That's why all patients with PAD, regardless of whether leg pain is present, are at increased short-term risk of a heart attack or a stroke.
The test: Gather a few pillows or cushions and use them to prop up both legs so they're at a 45-degree angle while you lie on your back. As you're resting, notice if your legs become paler or retain their original color throughout the span of a minute.
A CT coronary angiogram can reveal plaque buildup and identify blockages in the arteries, which can lead to a heart attack. Prior to the test, a contrast dye is injected into the arm to make the arteries more visible. The test typically takes 30 minutes to complete.
But it usually affects your legs, and it's often a severe complication of peripheral artery disease (PAD). This condition is a life-threatening medical emergency that needs immediate medical attention. Without prompt care, you have a higher risk of losing your limb or dying.
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.