Pain in the legs is a common complaint or symptom.

• Cramps caused by muscle fatigue, strain, injury, or depletion of certain minerals such as potassium, calcium, sodium, and magnesium (particularly when taking diuretics)
• Simple muscle spasm or charley horse
• Overuse problems associated with strenuous exercise, often called shin splints
• Trouble with the veins (the vessels returning from the legs to the heart)
  • veins develop blood clots (phlebitis)
  • deep venous thrombosis
• Diseased arteries (the vessels that bring blood to the muscles of the leg)
  • arteries narrowed by arteriosclerosis
  • arteries blocked by clotted blood fragments (thrombi)
• Injury to the joints in the leg
• Infection of the leg joints
• Inflammation of the leg joints (by arthritis or gout)
• Neuropathy (nerve damage)
  • common in diabetics, smokers, and alcoholics
  • pain or weakness present in one or both legs
  • numbness, tingling or a pins-and-needles feeling
• Infection (osteomyelitis, cellulitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, retroperitoneal inflammation)
• Slipped capital femoral epiphysis
• Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
• Benign tumors or cysts of the femur or tibia (osteoid ostioma)
• Malignant bone tumors (osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma)
• Fracture
• Drugs such as allopurinol and corticosteroids
• Sciatic nerve pain (radiating pain down the leg) caused by a slipped disk in the back

For unexplained leg pain lasting less than 1 week, rest as much as possible. Elevate the leg and take over-the-counter pain medications. Gentle massage may improve comfort. If pain persists or swelling develops, call your health care provider.

Heat (warm soaks or a warm heating pad) or cool soaks may help improve comfort.

For leg pain caused by varicose veins, leg elevation and compression with elastic bandages or support hose can help.

For leg pain caused by nerve disorders, control diabetes or eliminate alcohol and tobacco. Avoid ill-fitting shoes.

Call your health care provider if leg pain persists or is rapidly worsening and is associated with significant swelling.

Your health care provider will obtain your medical history and will perform a physical examination.

Medical history questions documenting leg pain may include the following:

• Location
  • Is the pain in the back of the thigh, calf, or foot (posterior)?
  • Is the pain on only one side (unilateral)?
  • Does the pain seem to be associated with a vein near the surface of the body (superficial vein)?
  • Is the pain in the tendon at the back of the heel (Achilles tendon)?
  • Does the pain go into the top of the foot?
  • Is the pain in the inner side of the thigh (medial thigh)?
  • Do you have pain in your shin(s)?
• Quality
  • Is it severe?
  • Is it dull and aching or sharp and stabbing?
  • Is it a cramping pain?
• Time pattern
  • Is it worse in the morning or at night?
  • Is it the same all the time?
• Aggravating factors
  • Is the pain worse after you exercise?
  • Is the pain worse after you have been standing?
• Relieving factors
  • Is the pain better after you elevate the legs?
  • Is the pain better when you keep the feet down?
• Other symptoms
  • What other symptoms are also present?
  • Is there numbness or tingling?
  • Is there back pain?
  • Are there leg cramps?
  • Is there a fever?
  • Is there weakness or paralysis of the leg?

Note:

• If the pain is relieved by elevating the legs, the problem may be phlebitis.
• Leg pain caused by arterial problems tends to improve with the help of gravity when the feet are hanging down.
• If the pain is accompanied by numbness and tingling, and it radiates from the hip or buttocks region down the leg, the problem might relate to the back.

The physical examination will include a detailed examination of the hip, leg, and feet, including the joints.

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

• Duplex Doppler/ultrasound exam of extremity
• X-ray of the back or extremities
• MRI if a malignant tumor is suspected and CT of the lungs to rule out metastasis
• Bone biopsy if malignancy is suspected
• Bone scan
• Blood tests for specific diseases
• Arteriogram

Treatment depends on the cause. Medications may include pain medicines, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as Coumadin, and others. For some causes, insertion of a balloon catheter into the artery may be advised.