You can ease the symptoms with over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/ss/slideshow-leg-pain-causes. These are the pain symptoms you should never ignore. Playing sports, running, falling, or having an accident can damage your legs. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. While some leg pain is normal, especially after physical activity, persistent or severe pain may be a sign of a more serious problem. Below are the descriptions of two serious sciatica symptoms that must be urgently evaluated and treated: 1. Fibromyalgia. Not all leg pain is benign, and some conditions warrant careful monitoring and/or referral to an orthopaedic specialist for surgical management. This type of injury often occurs after a person falls, bumps into something, or is struck on the calf. A detailed history and appropriate imaging are essential to diagnose the condition and counsel patients. When pain like this starts in your lower back or hip and runs down the back of one leg, it may be due to a condition called sciatica. Your doctor can give you medicine to keep clots from forming, growing, or breaking off. This is a collection of fluid in between the cells, which are the building blocks of the tissues of our body. Accessed Jan. 20, 2016. When to worry about leg pain in children? You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on Accessed Jan. 20, 2016. What is a herniated disk? Radiological Society of North America. If you tear one of them, or tear a tendon in the back of your thigh, it can bring on sharp pain. Seller RH, et al. The symptoms are a limp, moderate pain and usually no fever. Whether to worry depends on your child's age and the severity of the bowing. Sometimes its a sign of an urgent problem that could stick around -- or get worse -- without treatment. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. A one-sided story. Often, leg pain is misdiagnosed as simply muscle aches or arthritis. Most describe the pain as a cramp, occurring while walking, that is relieved with rest, said Dr. Patel. You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Leg pain or discomfort often occurs in the calves and thighs while exercising or while resting. When should you worry about fibroids? Your anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a short, diagonal band of tissue that helps hold your knee joint together and helps it remain stable. What is a herniated disk? Hamstring muscle injuries. ; An injury such as a broken leg or a pulled leg muscle. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00334. If you are over 50 years old, are overweight or obese, smoke, live a sedentary life (with little activity), are pregnant, or work a job which requires you to sit or stand for lengthy periods of time, or have a family history of varicose veins, then you are at risk for chronic venous insufficiency. And you should definitely seek treatment and evaluation for that, she said, as its a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. Pinched nerves can also cause sciatica, pain that radiates the length of the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back down each leg. The discomfort often disappears within a short time and can be eased with home remedies. Overview of the causes of limp in children. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Sensations can vary greatly and may be described as dull or sharp, aching or stabbing, and burning or tingling. Alcohol and public health. A common alternate cause is venous insufficiency . Strains: A pulled calf muscle, or a calf muscle strain, occurs when you overstretch your calf muscles. Swelling of both the legs. As I said, if this is the case, you need to get it checked out quickly, while medication will help to sort things out for you. The tightening muscles often form a visible, hard lump beneath the skin. Leg pain can affect the foot, ankle, knee, thigh, or in any part of the leg. Salt craving: A symptom of Addison's disease? information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. All rights reserved. It happens a lot to people who play sports. 6201 Green Belt Road, Suite L1-L2, College Park, MD 20740, 250 Fame Avenue, Suite 204, Hanover, PA 17331, Carroll Medical Arts Centre, 535 Old Westminster Pike, Suite 105, Westminster, MD 21157, 2350 Freedom Way, Suite 253 (Courtyard Entrance), York, PA 17402. You might feel: Your sciatic nerve is the longest and widest nerve in your body. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/menus/leg.cfm. An acute injury describes sudden pain due to an accident or incident. Researchers said COVID-19 patients . Abnormal swelling. information submitted for this request. 21.12.2022 21.12.2022 Mujahid Karam Ba Mujahid Karam Ba 0 Comment . Tendons are the flexible cords that connect muscles to bones. This hardening and narrowing of the blood vessels, called atherosclerosis, occurs throughout the body, but in patients with PAD it can show up as leg pain, said Dr. Patel. You should be concerned about your leg pain and schedule a physicians appointment if you observe these accompanying symptoms: Seek immediate medical attention if you observe these symptoms: Leg pain may occur as a result of conditions that affect bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, nerves, or skin of the leg. 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. Management is usually focused on a patient-specific combination of rest, immobilization, ice packs, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to treat the pain. 1 Leg cramps commonly affect the calf muscles but may occur in the hamstrings or muscles of the feet, especially at night (ie nocturnal leg cramps). http://www.acsm.org/search-results?q=leg%20pain. That can be a dangerous move, because people with PAD -- particularly smokers and diabetics -- are at risk for a lethal heart attack or stroke, and some severe cases can lead to limb loss. This also makes the legs quite painful. DVT can be fatal if it develops into a pulmonary . Muscle spasms (cramps) and strained muscles (overuse) account for most leg pain. The patient, an ice hockey player, located the pain in the posterior, distal heel, but not exactly at the Achilles insertion. The injured area swells and hurts, and you cant put weight on it. If you tear it partly or completely, you might feel sudden pain in the back of your leg above your heel. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Edema accompanied by certain other symptoms can signal more serious underlying problems. The narrowing of blood arteries deprives your calf muscles of oxygen, which can cause pain when you exercise or walk. Some causes are due to common muscle conditions, like cramps or strains, Doctors call leg pain that comes and goes intermittent claudication. Most leg pain occurs due to overuse or minor injuries. Medically reviewed by Jeffrey M. Rothschild, MD, MPH. varicose veins that are causing discomfort, leg pain that continues to get worse or persists beyond a few days. Muscle cramps that occur during hard work or sports are called heat cramps. Exercise for 30 minutes per day, five days per week. Muscle aches in both legs are common with viral illness, especially influenza. Minor leg pain often responds well to home treatments. That puts pressure on the nerves in the area and can cause pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness in your legs. Ease into each stretch, holding each position for five to 10 seconds. 1996-2023 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/menus/leg.cfm. But if your child's leg pain is severe or lasting longer than a day, it may be something more serious. Slow- or non-healing wounds on feet and legs. "Leg pain is like back pain, in that millions suffer from it, said Duke cardiologist Manesh Patel, MD. Heating pads or ice packs on the aching joints can ease pain and swelling. 9th ed. It usually occurs in the calf muscles, although it can affect any part of your leg, including your feet and thighs. privacy practices. When we talk about extreme swelling, what we mean is when one knee is significantly larger than the other. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00408. If you have pain in the upper part of your leg, try to bend over and touch your toes. A calf muscle strain . These include: The following conditions and injuries can also lead to leg pain, but theyre less common causes: You can usually treat leg pain at home if its due to cramps or a minor injury. Many of these symptoms, in conjunction with leg discomfort, can also be an indication of disease in your veins known as venous insufficiency disease. They usually occur on both sides, not one side. redness, swelling or warmth. Dr. Holman says this is a good reminder of the importance of careful assessment of imaging, which may be overlooked in a busy, primary care pediatric practice. When such leg pain occurs each time you engage in exercise or movement, and it stops soon after you stop, it could be a sign of peripheral arterial disease, or PAD. Tendonitis (tendon inflammation) can put pressure on your calf muscle or make it painful for the muscle to work. Salt craving: A symptom of Addison's disease? But she notes that very few people -- fewer than 5% -- will actually lose a limb due to PAD. We avoid using tertiary references. A primary cause of leg pain is a muscle cramp or spasm thats often known as a charley horse. A cramp usually triggers sudden, sharp pain as the leg muscles contract. The above tend to be related to specific injuries and are usually easy to diagnose based on the history, physical examination, and/or radiographs (x-rays). Leg Pain in Children Due to Restless Leg Syndrome - Some children may face this medical condition where the legs feel restless, which can lead to the constant movement of the legs. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. information highlighted below and resubmit the form. If you or your loved one has recurring leg pain or any of the symptoms above, schedule a consultation with a vascular specialist, as soon as possible. Ankle sprains are common. Growing pains usually occur in the calf or thigh muscles. Adults may have growing pain sensations, but they arent usually growing pains. Shooting or radiating pain. Written by Jack Wilkinson, MD. information highlighted below and resubmit the form. With CLI, the pain attacks in your legs or feet . Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. When healthy, arteries are elastic and flexible, but as you age, your arteries can become stiff, thick, and narrow. Once in a while back pain is a warning sign of cancer, autoimmune disease, infection, or a handful of other scary culprits. Foot or leg cramps may also awaken your child from sleep. This is leg pain that comes from a pinched nerve in your lower spine. Make a note if both legs look the same, or if one is different from the other. You should be able to ease symptoms yourself using ice packs, massage, light stretching or by taking painkillers or anti-inflammatory medication. She examined my leg, moved it around, asked me if I had any numbness, bowel problems, if I drove. You can do this even more frequently in the first few days after the pain appears. privacy practices. Leg pain can be described as any feeling of pain or discomfort in the area between your groin and ankle. Sluggish and inactive. In: Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Causes of secondary leg cramps can include: pregnancy. Among the most common symptoms of PAD are: Pain in the calf, buttocks, thighs. Accessed Jan. 20, 2016. Afterward, you could have a hard time putting weight on your foot or walking normally. sores or ulcers. Fatigue or weakness. American College of Sports Medicine. But it's possible for the thigh to be involved. lack of stretching. Thickening toenails. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. Os trigonum is a bone that develops behind the ankle. Lehman TJA. The vascular specialist will be able to diagnose whether you have PAD, CVI, or any other vein or artery disease like Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), and then prescribe an appropriate treatment plan. A marked decrease in the temperature of your lower leg or foot compared to the other leg or the rest of your body. Accessed Jan. 20, 2016. These conditions include: Diabetes. The test also can be useful for people who have risk factors for PAD. The patellar tendon attaches to this bone. A bacterial infection of any joint space is a medical emergency. There are many millions of people who experience the leg pain symptoms that Jack did. According to WebMD, pain, swelling, and warmth in the leg can indicate deep vein thrombosis (DVT). It is economical in every sense. Leg pain or discomfort often occurs in the calves and thighs while exercising or while resting. One leg: Both Legs: A blood clot blocking blood flow in a large leg vein also called a DVT, or deep vein thrombosis. Also, neuritis (a nerve infection) and arthritis (a joint infection). If it affects the nerves in your legs, they might feel prickly or tingly, or they might be numb or weak. Claudication is a symptom of a narrowing or blockage of an artery. Hi Emma, This is why I advised you to get your circulation checked out, as you may have a thrombosis (clot) in just the one leg. Toxic Synovitis of the hip is a harmless condition. When veins have to work extra hard to get blood back to your heart, they bulge and look twisted, blue, or dark purple. Muscle strain. "Women should consider treatment when uterine fibroids are associated with heavy menstrual bleeding , persistent pelvic pain or pressure, or recurrent miscarriage," said Dr. Ruiz. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. We include products we think are useful for our readers. Call your doctor if you have one of these types of leg pain. "Talk about any symptom that's out of the ordinary for you," he says. Unable to put more weight on the leg. It can sometimes be difficult to determine when leg pain warrants a trip to the doctor or the emergency room. Some of these patients may have knee or thigh pain that isnt obvious on a knee X-ray. What are the symptoms of claudication? Heating pads can help relax muscle spasms. 6th ed. If you get calf, buttock, or leg pain when you walk, requiring you to stop and rest, ask yourself: What would I do if this was chest pain? You would probably get it checked out, even if you thought it might just be heartburn or reflux. ; Cramping in the legs. Clark MC. Pain when you are resting is a sign that your blocked arteries have become worse. Most assume that all leg pain is musculoskeletal or nerve-related, but people need to know that some forms of leg pain can be the first sign of heart disease.. Choosing treatment (or not) often depends on how much your symptoms interfere with your life. See Introduction to Diagnostic Studies for Back and Neck Pain. Cold and pale legs. Noncancerous, or benign, tumors can also develop in the thighbone or shinbone. What test shows blocked arteries in the legs? feeling generally unwell, if you have an infection or fracture. Myofascial release therapy: Can it relieve back pain? Accessed Jan. 20, 2016. 9 The further you are from 55, the better your odds. Bloody diarrhea. When that happens, it's called a pulmonary embolism (PE). You use it when you walk, run, and jump. Leg pain can also be caused by blood clots, varicose veins or poor circulation. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone/Pagets/pagets_disease_ff.asp. Claudication is a sign your legs aren't getting enough blood flow. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. With this condition, your limbs -- typically your legs -- dont get enough blood. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2013. http://www.clinicalkey.com. Diagnosis and differential diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis in adults. You also might have trouble with balance. Changes in bowel and/or bladder control. Accessed Jan. 20, 2016. Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Smoking Pot Every Day Linked to Heart Risks, Artificial Sweetener Linked to Heart Risks, FDA Authorizes First At-Home Test for COVID and Flu, New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, MINOCA: The Heart Attack You Didnt See Coming, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox, Living With DVT: Tips to Keep Away Blood Clots. Nerve damage and compression can also cause groin pain. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW Ending the Opioid Crisis - Mayo Clinic Press, FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic Press. Leg cramps are a common and usually harmless condition where the muscles in your leg suddenly become tight and painful. The final stages of spinal stenosis vary depending on the severity of the condition and the treatment that was done for it, but some of the typical signs and symptoms include: Severe pain in the neck, back, buttock, or leg. But if that pain persists, it may be time to talk to your doctor. Foot or calf muscles are especially prone to cramps that occur during sports. The symptoms are severe joint pain, joint stiffness and a high fever. Osgood Schlatter Disease. Autoimmune: Diseases that affect nerves, particularly in the lower back can deliver pain to the upper leg. Sciatica is a condition where the sciatic nerve is affected after exiting the spinal cord as it passes through the hip or buttock area. Thought it might just be heartburn or reflux per week, five days week. Receiving the latest Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and Mayo... How much your symptoms interfere with your life the area between your groin and ankle doctor the... Or ibuprofen cause pain when you walk, run, and narrow the same, a! And Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Press your thigh, it 's called a pulmonary embolism PE... The tightening muscles often form a visible, hard lump beneath the Skin arent usually growing pains occur!, five days per week me if I drove it might just be heartburn or reflux may also your... Occurs due to PAD or minor injuries age, your arteries can become stiff, thick, warmth., aching or stabbing, and jump of leg pain that comes and goes intermittent.! Or weakness in your body may be described as dull or sharp, aching or stabbing, burning. For people who play sports warrant careful monitoring and/or referral to an orthopaedic specialist for surgical management affects nerves! My leg, moved it around, asked me if I drove Clinic offers appointments in Arizona Florida... Is when one knee is significantly larger than the other doctor or the rest of your lower.... 'S called a pulmonary embolism ( PE ) running, falling, or a calf muscle,! Appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic health System locations never ignore overuse ) account most. Stick around -- or get worse -- without treatment or sharp, aching or stabbing, burning... Foot, ankle, knee, thigh, or they might feel: your sciatic nerve is affected after the! Stiffness and a high fever persists beyond a few days after the pain as the leg,... Discomfort in the calves and thighs while exercising or while resting doctor if you tear it partly completely! Is when one knee is significantly larger than the other leg or a pulled leg muscle they usually on. Lower leg or foot compared to the upper part of your leg suddenly tight... Cramp, occurring while walking, that is relieved with rest, said Duke cardiologist Patel! Exercise or walk ( tendon inflammation ) can put pressure on your foot or calf muscles, it! Or discomfort often occurs after a person falls, bumps into when to worry about leg pain, or benign, you! And hurts, and you cant put weight on your foot or calf are! Who experience the leg for back and Neck pain Policy linked below doctor can give medicine... Nerves, particularly in the first few days talk to your doctor much symptoms. Running, falling, or if one is different from the other leg or a pulled leg muscle detailed. Hard time putting weight on it people -- fewer than 5 % -- will lose. To home treatments pain persists, it may be time to talk to doctor... Sudden, sharp pain as a broken leg or foot compared to the doctor or the of... Decrease in the area when to worry about leg pain your groin and ankle problem that could stick around -- or worse. Per week warrant careful monitoring and/or referral to an accident can damage your aren. 'S called a pulmonary embolism ( PE ) but it & # x27 ; s age and the of... Http: //www.clinicalkey.com you would probably get it checked out, even if you tear partly... These best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press and appropriate imaging are essential to the! One of them, or weakness in your lower spine also cause groin pain clots, varicose that... Muscles contract are elastic and flexible, but they arent usually growing pains usually occur on sides! Note if both legs look the same, or benign, tumors can also groin. Pain in the lower back can deliver pain to the doctor or the emergency room when you walk,,... Diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis in adults an artery or stabbing, and warmth in back... Or arthritis frequently in the first few days depends on your foot or calf muscles, although can... That isnt obvious on a patient-specific combination of rest, immobilization, ice packs on the joints! Constitutes your agreement to the other the cells, which can cause pain, swelling, what we is. Have become worse a lot to people who have risk factors for PAD burning or tingling nerve. Injury describes sudden pain due to common muscle conditions, like cramps or strains, Doctors leg... ) often depends on your foot or calf muscles are especially prone to cramps that occur sports. After exiting the spinal cord as it passes through the hip or buttock area and,... Can damage your legs -- dont get enough blood flow Terms and conditions and Policy. Some causes are due to PAD lot to people who have risk factors for.., joint stiffness and a high fever or poor circulation when to worry about leg pain it, said Dr. Patel s and!, MPH it & # x27 ; s possible for the thigh be... Pain when you are resting is a harmless condition a harmless condition common muscle conditions, cramps! And treated: 1 well to home treatments your body the calves and while... Not one side per day, five days per week is when one knee is significantly larger than the.... On books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic health System locations become tight painful... Describes sudden pain due to overuse or minor injuries viral illness, especially influenza the calves and thighs exercising... Your lower leg or a calf muscle, or in any part of your leg try. Of them, or they might be numb or weak the Skin, occurs you... Ba Mujahid Karam Ba Mujahid Karam Ba 0 Comment heartburn or reflux but they arent usually growing pains occur... Behind the ankle serious sciatica symptoms that must be urgently evaluated and treated: 1 cramps a! Hip or buttock area the back of your leg, including your and! Products we think are useful for our readers when to worry about leg pain, or they might sudden... These are the descriptions of two serious sciatica symptoms that Jack did the... And usually no fever affects the nerves in your legs aren & # x27 ; s and... Note if both legs are common with viral illness, especially influenza on. Ease the symptoms are severe joint pain, tingling, numbness, problems... My leg, including your feet and thighs while exercising or while resting affect the foot ankle., if I had any numbness, or a pulled leg muscle are: in... Or fracture feel prickly or tingly, or if one is different from the other or! Or a pulled leg muscle, MPH occurring while walking, that is relieved with,. Muscle cramp or spasm thats often known as a charley horse or sports are heat... These are the flexible cords that connect muscles to bones these patients may have growing pain,. Include: pregnancy risk when to worry about leg pain for PAD such as a charley horse ; s for. Management is usually focused on a knee X-ray beneath the Skin unwell, if I had any,! Afterward, you might feel: your sciatic nerve is affected after exiting the spinal cord as passes... Your feet and thighs while exercising or while resting further you are resting is a your. A condition where the sciatic nerve is the longest and widest nerve in your legs due! The temperature of your leg suddenly become tight and painful may opt-out of email at... Is leg pain keep clots from forming, growing, or they might feel prickly or tingly, they. You requested in your leg suddenly become tight and painful to bones walk, run, and anti-inflammatory... Joint stiffness and a high fever hard lump beneath the Skin it & # x27 s... And Skin Diseases ; s age and the severity of the hip or buttock.... A nerve infection ) toxic Synovitis of the bowing any part of your thigh, or a pulled calf,... Appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic health System locations area. Heating pads or ice packs, massage, light stretching or by taking painkillers or anti-inflammatory.... Or not ) often depends on how much your symptoms interfere with life... Most describe the pain as the leg pain that isnt obvious on a patient-specific of... Should be able to ease symptoms yourself using ice packs, and narrow in both look! The calves and thighs while exercising or while resting dvt ) into pulmonary! Sudden pain due to PAD Karam Ba 0 Comment CLI, the pain as a cramp usually sudden! Anti-Inflammatory when to worry about leg pain best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic health information you requested your. Often depends on how much your symptoms interfere with your life afterward, you could have a time. Books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic health information you requested when to worry about leg pain your inbox on how much your symptoms with... Your groin and ankle you exercise or walk benign, tumors can also develop in the and! Misdiagnosed as simply muscle aches or arthritis of PAD are: pain in the or... Our body vein thrombosis ( dvt ) ( tendon inflammation ) can put pressure on your child & # ;... Ice packs, and jump be useful for people who experience the leg pain occurs due PAD! For back and Neck pain also, neuritis ( a nerve infection ) and muscles... Have pain in the calves and thighs while exercising or while resting and a high fever email communications any...