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Leg pain
Pain - leg; Aches - leg; Cramps - leg
Leg pain is a common problem. It can be due to a cramp, injury, or other cause.
Causes
Leg pain can be due to a muscle cramp (also called a charley horse ). Common causes of cramps include:
Charley horse
A charley horse is the common name for a muscle spasm or cramp. Muscle spasms can occur in any muscle in the body, but often happen in the leg. Whe...
-
Dehydration
or low amounts of potassium, sodium, calcium, or magnesium in the blood
Dehydration
Dehydration occurs when your body does not have as much water and fluids as it should. Dehydration can be mild, moderate, or severe, based on how muc...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Medicines (such as diuretics and statins)
- Muscle fatigue or strain from overuse, too much exercise, or holding a muscle in the same position for a long time
An injury can also cause leg pain from:
-
A torn or overstretched muscle (
strain
)
Strain
A strain is when a muscle is stretched too much and tears. It is also called a pulled muscle. A strain is a painful injury. It can be caused by an...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Hairline crack in the bone (stress fracture)
-
Inflamed tendon (
tendinitis
)
Tendinitis
Tendons are the fibrous structures that join muscles to bones. When these tendons become swollen or inflamed, it is called tendinitis. In many case...
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Shin splints
(pain in the front of the leg from overuse)
Shin splints
Lower leg pain - self-care; Pain - shins - self-care; Anterior tibial pain - self-care; Medial tibial stress syndrome - self-care; MTSS - self-care; ...
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Other common causes of leg pain include:
-
Atherosclerosis
that blocks blood flow in the arteries (this type of pain, called claudication, is generally felt when exercising or walking and is relieved by rest)
Atherosclerosis
Hardening of the arteries, also called atherosclerosis, occurs when fat, cholesterol, and other substances build up in the walls of arteries. These ...
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Blood clot (
deep vein thrombosis
) from long-term bed rest
Deep vein thrombosis
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein deep inside a part of the body. It mainly affects the large ...
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Infection of the bone (
osteomyelitis
) or skin and soft tissue (
cellulitis
)
Osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitis is a bone infection. It is mainly caused by bacteria or other germs.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark ArticleCellulitis
Cellulitis is a common skin infection caused by bacteria. It affects the middle layer of the skin (dermis) and the tissues below. Sometimes, muscle...
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Inflammation of the leg joints caused by
arthritis
or
gout
Arthritis
Arthritis is inflammation of one or more joints. A joint is the area where 2 bones meet. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis....
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark ArticleGout
Gout is a type of arthritis. It occurs when uric acid builds up in blood and causes inflammation in the joints. Acute gout is a painful condition th...
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Nerve damage
common to people with diabetes, smokers, and alcoholics
Nerve damage
Peripheral nerves carry information to and from the brain. They also carry signals to and from the spinal cord to the rest of the body. Peripheral n...
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Varicose veins
Varicose veins
Varicose veins are swollen, twisted, and enlarged veins that you can see under the skin. They are often red or blue in color. They most often appea...
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Less common causes include:
-
Cancerous bone tumors (
osteosarcoma
, Ewing sarcoma)
Osteosarcoma
Osteosarcoma is a very rare type of cancerous bone tumor that usually develops in teenagers. It often occurs when a teen is growing rapidly....
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Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
: Poor blood flow to the hip that may stop or slow the normal growth of the leg
Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
Legg-Calve-Perthes disease occurs when the ball of the thigh bone in the hip does not get enough blood, causing the bone to die.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Noncancerous (benign) tumors or cysts of the femur or tibia (osteoid osteoma)
- Sciatic nerve pain (radiating pain down the leg) caused by a slipped disk in the back
-
Slipped capital femoral epiphysis
: Most often seen in boys and overweight children between ages 11 and 15
Slipped capital femoral epiphysis
A slipped capital femoral epiphysis is a separation of the ball of the hip joint from the thigh bone (femur) at the upper growing end (growth plate) ...
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Home Care
If you have leg pain from cramps or overuse, take these steps first:
- Rest as much as possible.
- Elevate your leg.
- Apply ice for up to 15 minutes. Do this 4 times per day, more often for the first few days.
- Gently stretch and massage cramping muscles.
- Take over-the-counter pain medicines like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Other homecare will depend on the cause of your leg pain.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your health care provider if:
- The painful leg is swollen or red.
- You have a fever.
- Your pain gets worse when you walk or exercise and improves with rest.
- The leg is black and blue.
- The leg is cold and pale.
- You are taking medicines that may be causing leg pain. DO NOT stop taking or change any of your medicines without talking to your provider.
- Self-care steps do not help.
What to Expect at Your Office Visit
Your provider will perform a physical exam and look at your legs, feet, thighs, hips, back, knees, and ankles.
Your provider may ask questions such as:
- Where on the leg is the pain? Is the pain in one or both legs?
- Is the pain dull and aching or sharp and stabbing? Is the pain severe? Is the pain worse at any time of day?
- What makes the pain feel worse? Does anything make your pain feel better?
- Do you have any other symptoms such as numbness, tingling, back pain, or fever?
Your provider may recommend physical therapy for some causes of leg pain.
References
Ginsberg J. Peripheral venous disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 81.
Marcussen B, Hogrefe C, Amendola A. Leg pain and exertional compartment syndromes. In: Miller MD, Thompson SR, eds. DeLee & Drez's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine . 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 112.
Shy ME. Peripheral neuropathies. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 420.
Silverstein JA, Moeller JL, Hutchinson MR. Common issues in orthopedics. In: Rakel RE, Rakel DP, eds. Textbook of Family Medicine . 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 30.
White CJ. Atherosclerotic peripheral arterial disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 79.
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Lower leg muscles - illustration
The muscular components of the lower leg include the gastrocnemius, soleus, peroneus longus, tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus, and the Achilles tendon.
Lower leg muscles
illustration
-
Leg pain (Osgood-Schlatter) - illustration
Leg pain in older children or young adolescents can occur for many reasons. An Osgood-Schlatter lesion results from continued trauma to the anterior tibial bone and causes a visible lump below the knee.
Leg pain (Osgood-Schlatter)
illustration
-
Shin splints - illustration
Shin splints is the common name for the medical condition called medial tibial stress syndrome in which pain occurs along the tibia (shin bone) in the front of the lower leg. The pain is a result of small tears in the area the lower leg muscles' attachment to the tibia. Shin splints are typically caused from intense or vigorous athletic activity and can be resolved with adequate rest, stretching and modifying your exercise routine.
Shin splints
illustration
-
Varicose veins - illustration
Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted, painful superficial veins resulting from poorly functioning valves. Varicose veins usually occur in the veins of the legs, although it may occur elsewhere. It is a common condition, affecting mostly women.
Varicose veins
illustration
-
Retrocalcaneal bursitis - illustration
Retrocalcaneal bursitis is an inflammation of the bursa at the back of the heel bone. A bursa is a fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion and a lubricant between tendons and muscles sliding over bone. Repetitive or over use of the ankle, by doing excessive walking, running, or jumping, can cause this bursa to become irritated and inflamed. Symptoms of bursitis include pain in the heel, especially with walking, running or when the area is touched.
Retrocalcaneal bursitis
illustration
-
Lower leg muscles - illustration
The muscles in the lower leg are divided into several compartments. The muscles in the anterior compartment include the tibialis anterior, extensor halluscis longus, extensor digitorum longus, and peroneous tertius. This group of muscle primarily extends the toes and dorsiflexes the ankle. When there is inflammation in the anterior compartment a painful condition called shinsplints can occur.
Lower leg muscles
illustration
-
Lower leg muscles - illustration
The muscular components of the lower leg include the gastrocnemius, soleus, peroneus longus, tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus, and the Achilles tendon.
Lower leg muscles
illustration
-
Leg pain (Osgood-Schlatter) - illustration
Leg pain in older children or young adolescents can occur for many reasons. An Osgood-Schlatter lesion results from continued trauma to the anterior tibial bone and causes a visible lump below the knee.
Leg pain (Osgood-Schlatter)
illustration
-
Shin splints - illustration
Shin splints is the common name for the medical condition called medial tibial stress syndrome in which pain occurs along the tibia (shin bone) in the front of the lower leg. The pain is a result of small tears in the area the lower leg muscles' attachment to the tibia. Shin splints are typically caused from intense or vigorous athletic activity and can be resolved with adequate rest, stretching and modifying your exercise routine.
Shin splints
illustration
-
Varicose veins - illustration
Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted, painful superficial veins resulting from poorly functioning valves. Varicose veins usually occur in the veins of the legs, although it may occur elsewhere. It is a common condition, affecting mostly women.
Varicose veins
illustration
-
Retrocalcaneal bursitis - illustration
Retrocalcaneal bursitis is an inflammation of the bursa at the back of the heel bone. A bursa is a fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion and a lubricant between tendons and muscles sliding over bone. Repetitive or over use of the ankle, by doing excessive walking, running, or jumping, can cause this bursa to become irritated and inflamed. Symptoms of bursitis include pain in the heel, especially with walking, running or when the area is touched.
Retrocalcaneal bursitis
illustration
-
Lower leg muscles - illustration
The muscles in the lower leg are divided into several compartments. The muscles in the anterior compartment include the tibialis anterior, extensor halluscis longus, extensor digitorum longus, and peroneous tertius. This group of muscle primarily extends the toes and dorsiflexes the ankle. When there is inflammation in the anterior compartment a painful condition called shinsplints can occur.
Lower leg muscles
illustration
Review Date: 8/14/2015
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director and Director of Didactic Curriculum, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
