The most common causes of leg pain

Leg pain can be intermittent or persistent and can range from dull pain to burning, throbbing, or even burning. Numbness may be felt as a loss of sensation or a feeling of cold in one or more areas of the foot. Leg pain can be a symptom of a variety of underlying causes or conditions, and proper diagnosis is essential for the most effective course of treatment. This article presents the most common causes of leg pain, along with the symptoms and progression of pain.

Most common causes of leg pain

Leg pain can be caused by a problem in the lower back, pelvis or a leg problem. The most common causes of pain in one or both legs include: Inflammation, irritation or compression of nerve roots in the lumbar or lumbar spine can cause radiculopathy (nerve root damage and neurological dysfunction), in the legs and feet . Here the most common cause is a herniated disc, but it can also be a tumor or fracture.

Nerves can also be damaged in their path in the legs, causing peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage or disease) and leg pain.

Another common cause is narrowing of the spinal canal (stenosis), causing pain and numbness, usually in both legs.

The condition of the blood vessels is also of great importance for the limbs. Clogged arteries and veins in the legs can cause a reduced blood supply, leading to pain and numbness in the legs. These problems are greatly exacerbated by exercise.

Problems with the joints in the pelvis and hip joint can cause pain in the legs. Inflammatory arthritis or diseases such as gout can often cause joint pain in the legs.

Pelvic muscle spasm, such as in piriformis syndrome, can cause pain that moves down the leg with associated tingling and / or weakness. Leg pain can also develop due to stress, exercise, dehydration, aging, poor posture, hereditary factors and / or work-related causes, spinal deformities (scoliosis).

Symptoms accompanying leg pain

The most common symptoms that can accompany leg pain are: weakness in the legs, a feeling of heaviness that can make it difficult to lift the foot off the floor (dropping the leg). When a nerve is affected, a tingling sensation may occur. Leg pain and tingling may increase with certain postures or activities, such as standing for long periods of time, walking, climbing stairs, or getting up from a sitting position.

Pain in the legs due to problems with the arteries and / or veins of the legs.

Blood vessels in the legs can become clogged, compressed, or inflamed. Common conditions that cause pain in the legs due to problems with blood vessels are: reduced blood supply, which is called vascular claudication. The condition occurs when one or more arteries in the leg are blocked, resulting in reduced or complete loss of blood supply to the leg muscles. Typical symptoms include: pain in the feet, which gradually spreads up the legs when walking; the pain is relieved after stopping walking; redness of the skin, which is relieved when the legs are supported; numbness and / or weakness in the affected leg. Vascular claudication can affect one or both legs at the same time.

A clot in a deep vein is called a deep vein thrombosis, which is one of the causes of pain in the legs due to affected blood vessels. Symptoms depend on the extent and location of the clot and may include: pain and tenderness in the leg or thigh; redness and tightness of the skin over the legs; heat and swelling in the affected areas. Deep venous thrombosis can also begin as bulging or varicose veins, causing painful pain and itching in the legs. These veins are more superficial and have the appearance of a spider. Problems with blood vessels in the legs usually occur due to trauma, old age and the presence of certain underlying conditions, such as diabetes or obesity. A medical professional can help diagnose the cause and type of vascular disease. Early treatment can help control and prevent the progression of pain.

Arthrosis

Hip wear (osteoarthritis) usually causes: deep pain in the thigh and groin, which radiates to the front of the thigh and knee, sometimes involving areas below the knee. The pain is usually stronger in the morning, after prolonged sitting or rest or after physical activity.

Other causes of leg pain

Leg pain can also be caused by a variety of other factors, such as problems with pulled muscles, trauma, aging, tension, dehydration, or a sedentary lifestyle with minimal movement of the thighs and legs. An accurate diagnosis of the underlying cause can help formulate an effective treatment for the specific condition. Leg pain can be treated by different types of medical professionals. Depending on the cause, the attending physician may be: first aid physicians, rheumatologists, neurologists and neurosurgical and orthopedic surgeons of the spine, as well as physiotherapists.

IMPORTANT: This article is not a medical consultation!