When to Seek Care for Swelling. But some people need surgery. Skin in the area may also be sensitive to touch and reddish in color. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Burning Thigh Pain (Meralgia Paresthetica), OrthoInfo: Muscle Strains in the Thigh, Shin Splints, Stress Fractures., American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society: How to Care for a Sprained Ankle., American College of Rheumatology: Tendinitis (Bursitis).. information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with Watch: Sciatica Causes and Symptoms Video. Elevate and rest the leg to allow healing, and try using a compression bandage. Call for immediate medical help or go to an emergency room if you: - . Cynthia Shortell, MD, head of vascular surgery at Duke, says that being diagnosed with PAD means one thing for certain: Youve got atherosclerosis -- otherwise known as hardened arteries. Management is usually focused on a patient-specific combination of rest, immobilization, ice packs, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to treat the pain. This content does not have an Arabic version. 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. Cramps usually go away on their own and arent typically a sign of any health issue, but talk with your doctor if you have them often. This . information highlighted below and resubmit the form. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Leg Pain: When to Worry. Thats when plaque gradually builds up in the arteries that carry blood to your limbs. Learn about the causes and treatments of pain in your upper thigh. Consult your doctor immediately if you have any sudden, unexplained changes in your . Hamstring muscle injuries. Leg pain can be described as any feeling of pain or discomfort in the area between your groin and ankle. Bloody diarrhea. The patellar tendon attaches to this bone. Last medically reviewed on April 13, 2016, Are you experiencing simultaneous back and leg pain? If you have a more serious case, you might need surgery. Leg pain can affect the foot, ankle, knee, thigh, or in any part of the leg. Main Causes. A group of three muscles run along the back of your thigh. Its a quality-of-life decision, she said. Your legs may feel weak or numb or cramp when you walk. Sometimes this sensation is harmless, but it may be the sign of an. It's only extreme swelling you need to worry about. Brief pains (1 to 15 minutes) are often due to muscle spasms (cramps). Pain can affect the entire leg or just one part of it. Leg pain can be constant or intermittent, develop suddenly or gradually, and affect your entire leg or a localized area, such as your shin or your knee. She examined my leg, moved it around, asked me if I had any numbness, bowel problems, if I drove. Never ignore leg pain that doesnt seem to be going away or thats accompanied by other symptoms. Maryland Vascular Specialists - All Rights Reserved. Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education. Cramps tend to happen more as you age, and youre also likely to have them if youre out in hot weather and dont drink enough water. Medication can ease the pain, and physical therapy can help, too. Unfortunately, said Dr. Patel, people who have this condition tend to dial down their physical activity to avoid the pain, instead of seeking the advice of their physician. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2012. Some types of leg pain can be traced to problems in your lower spine. Also referred to as recurrent limb pains in childhood and idiopathic nocturnal pains of childhood, growing pains may affect as many as 37% of children ages 3 to 12, according to some studies. But when leg pain starts regularly stopping you in your tracks, its time to take it seriously. A heavy feeling in the legs, which may lead to trouble walking. Symptoms of critical limb ischemia 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. Leg and arm pain is common in growing . Exercise for 30 minutes per day, five days per week. Most leg cramps occur in the calf muscles and, less commonly, in the feet and thighs.After the cramps have passed, you may have pain and . If you experience any pain in your legs, it is important to consult with a doctor to rule out any serious underlying conditions. Pain in the groin can occur in athletes from muscle strains or tears in the tendon. It doesnt always cause symptoms, but you might have pain, swelling in your leg, and it might be warm and red. What are the symptoms of claudication? Researchers said COVID-19 patients . Be on the lookout for more swelling in one leg than the other, accompanied by pain, which can signal a possible blood clot. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. Sometimes its a sign of an urgent problem that could stick around -- or get worse -- without treatment. Leg pain can also be caused by blood clots, varicose veins or poor circulation. Patellar tendon tear. While the etiology is not well-understood, patients usually report that pain resolves with little to no medical intervention. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Accessed Jan. 20, 2016. varicose veins. Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education. Seek urgent medical attention if you experience the following symptoms: Fever and other signs of infection. Infections: Infections of the bones and tissues of the upper leg can result in swelling, redness, and pain. Thyroid disease or liver disease. Your doctor might recommend over-the-counter pain meds or physical therapy. With CLI, the pain attacks in your legs or feet . Not everyone has one, and the people who do, dont necessarily experience pain, she says. Some people can manage PAD with habit changes, like quitting smoking. Key takeaways: Leg cramps and a blood clot in the leg can both cause pain in the calf muscle. Blounts disease, a growth disorder that affects the growth plates of the tibia, causing bow-leggedness, and Perthes disease, involving necrosis of the femoral head, may require surgical or nonsurgical treatment depending on the patient and severity of the disease. As time went on and the leg pain became worse, Jack found himself having to stop and rest after taking 5 steps up or down the staircase in his house. Herniated disk. That puts pressure on the nerves in the area and can cause pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness in your legs. Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. Diagnosis and differential diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis in adults. Some leg pain is simply annoying, but more-severe leg pain can affect your ability to walk or to bear weight on your leg. other information we have about you. Leg cramps are uncomfortable, sure, but most of us discount them. After all, its hard to get worked up about a condition commonly known as a charley horse, for which your mother might tell you to eat more bananas. This is when a muscle, usually in your calf, suddenly gets tight. Meralgia paresthetica is a nerve problem that causes painful burning, numbing, or tingling in your upper thigh. Other signs and symptoms that can occur with leg pain include: swelling. Learn about symptoms and treatment. Claudication is a sign your legs aren't getting enough blood flow. When To Worry About Leg Pain. Children on a milk-free diet are at risk. Things that can make you more likely to get a deep-vein clot include if you: A DVT blood clot is dangerous because it can break loose, travel to your lungs, and get caught in an artery there. Cutting edge minimally invasive outpatient treatments. What is Paget's disease of bone? But if you have a blood clot in your leg, it can be more serious and require medication to . Increased pain going downhill. It usually occurs in the calf muscles, although it can affect any part of your leg, including your feet and thighs. The pain is intense and starts right away, and the area is tender to the touch. Try the following home treatments when your leg pain is from muscle cramps, fatigue, or overuse: Apply ice to the affected area of your leg at least four times per day. 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. Youre more likely to have them as you age, or if youre overweight, pregnant, or stand or sit for long stretches. Ankle sprains are common. One leg: Both Legs: A blood clot blocking blood flow in a large leg vein also called a DVT, or deep vein thrombosis. In fact, pain intensity is a poor indicator of back pain ominousness, 6 and some of the worst causes are actually the least painful (especially in the early stages). In fact, one leg swelling is worse than two swollen legs . http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00408. As a parent or caregiver, you need to know when to be concerned about a child's leg pain. There are a variety of reasons why you may feel calf pain when you walk. Pain in the lower extremity in adults. They often respond to extra fluids and salt. High-dose flu vaccines: How are they different from other flu vaccines? Too often, diabetics confuse leg pain with neuropathy or the aging process a burning or painful discomfort in the feet or thighs. DVT can lead to a serious condition called a pulmonary embolism -- when the clot breaks off and goes to your lungs. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Most importantly, a vascular screening can also help to save your life. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00512. Painful, Swollen, and Warm. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services Policy. Some other causes of leg pain include medications (diuretics and statins) and bone tumors. Click here to schedule your vascular screening at one of Maryland Vascular Specialists nationally accredited vascular laboratories today! MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Nighttime leg pain could be a sign of the worst form of PAD - critical limb ischemia (CLI). As a result, the blood vessels leak into the muscle tissues. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Muscle aches in both legs are common with viral illness, especially influenza. These cramps can be exercise-related or non-exercise-related. If you tear it partially or completely, you might hear a popping sound along with the pain. See your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. These are often called growing pains (although they have nothing to do with growth). Myofascial release therapy: Can it relieve back pain? The most common causes of cramps include dehydration, muscle overuse and muscle strain or trauma. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Today, we are sharing the types of leg pain you should not ignore and why its really important for you to not disregard them. The more you use your muscles, he explained, the more blood flow you need, but that flow becomes restricted due to the buildup, resulting in a cramping sensation. We usually reserve bypass for very severe cases, such as those where, if you dont do something, the patient may lose his leg, said Dr. Shortell. If generalised, gravity takes the fluid to the part of you which is hanging down, or 'dependent'. Make a note if both legs look the same, or if one is different from the other. Leg pains in active, growing children are common. Muscle cramps that occur during hard work or sports are called heat cramps. Stretching of the muscles of the lower leg can also help decrease muscle spasms. That should tell us something, says Dr. Holman. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Pain in the lower back. Adults may have growing pain sensations, but they arent usually growing pains. 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. Cold and flu viruses: How long can they live outside the body? information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with Patellar tendon tear. Foot or calf muscles are especially prone to cramps that occur during sports. "Women should consider treatment when uterine fibroids are associated with heavy menstrual bleeding , persistent pelvic pain or pressure, or recurrent miscarriage," said Dr. Ruiz. ACL tear. The cause of calf pain, in this case, is quickly identified, and appropriate treatment can be . "We see that in gentlemen who carry heavy wallets in the back pocket of their pants," says Dr. Rue. If you have back pain or have varicose veins, consult with a healthcare professional to determine the cause and treatment options. Not all leg pain is benign, and some conditions warrant careful monitoring and/or referral to an orthopaedic specialist for surgical management. 9 The further you are from 55, the better your odds. Lower extremity pain in children can be straightforward and benign or more complex with underlying pathology. When To Worry About Leg Pain? Nerve damage in the leg may cause numbness, pain, or tingling. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Foot or calf muscles are especially prone to cramps that occur during sports. 2. Acute injury. Your doctor can give you medicine to keep clots from forming, growing, or breaking off. They can make your legs feel heavy, burn, throb, or cramp. It usually happens because your arteries have narrowed. Changing skin color on legs or feet (sometimes pale, red or blue) Shiny skin on legs or feet. 9th ed. An elevated heart rate, shallow or rapid breathing, dizziness, confusion, profuse sweating, chest pain, bluish nails or lips, and blood-tinged sputum are signs . When should I be concerned about leg pain at night? But it's possible for the thigh to be involved. Leg injury with popping and grinding noise, Exercise for 30 minutes per day, 5 days per week. ; Cramping in the legs. In: Differential Diagnosis of Common Complaints. While most cases of calf pain can be treated at home, sometimes they may require immediate medical attention. Accessed Jan. 20, 2016. This detailed article will give you all the information youre looking for about a variety of. 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. If you have these in your calf or thigh while walking -- and they get better with rest -- you might have peripheral artery disease (PAD). Each year, millions of people are diagnosed with peripheral arterial disease, which is often referred to as poor circulation because the plaque buildup in your artery reduces blood flow. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. Hair loss on legs or feet. It can bring on a sharp pain, and you may feel a hard lump of muscle under your skin. Enoxaparin Sodium Injection, USP, has been recalled due to a packaging error in which the labels dont accurately list the correct dose. If the pain lasts more than 2 months, your doctor might recommend stronger prescription medicine. (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in, The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Leg pain that doesnt go away when you stop exercising, Coldness in your leg or feet compared to other parts of the body, Pain in your calves, after long periods of sitting such as traveling in a car; driving long distances and plane rides that are longer than two hours. It prevents them from getting enough blood. Vomiting that won't stop. Learn about possible causes and how to get. Playing sports, running, falling, or having an accident can damage your legs. They occur late in the day. Shooting or radiating pain. Medically reviewed by Jeffrey M. Rothschild, MD, MPH. Pain when you are resting is a sign that your blocked arteries have become worse. Have a leg injury with a deep cut or exposed bone or tendon, Are unable to walk or put weight on your leg, Have pain, swelling, redness or warmth in your calf, Hear a popping or grinding sound at the time of a leg injury, Signs 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 unusually cool, Calf pain, particularly after prolonged sitting, such as on a long car trip or plane ride, Swelling in both legs along with breathing problems, Any serious leg symptoms that develop for no apparent reason, Your symptoms don't improve after a few days of home treatment, Apply an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas to the affected area for 15 to 20 minutes three times a day, Elevate your leg whenever you sit or lie down, Try over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve). 12/22/2015. Leg pain or discomfort often occurs in the calves and thighs while exercising or while resting. 9500 Euclid Avenue , Cleveland , Ohio 44195 | 800.223.2273 | TTY 216.444.0261, cleveland clinic children's hospital for rehabilitation, Tackling Torticollis: Consider Early Referral to Physical Therapy for Managing Congenital Muscular Torticollis, Approaches for Academic Advancement Within Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, Case Study: The Overlap of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and Functional Neurologic Disorder in Pediatrics, Hip-Hop Music as a Tool in Trauma-Based Care for Adolescent Patients. If you or your loved one has diabetes, please do not dismiss leg pain or stiffness as a normal sign of aging. Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. The patient, an ice hockey player, located the pain in the posterior, distal heel, but not exactly at the Achilles insertion. This is when a muscle gets stretched too far. All rights reserved. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. These conditions include: Diabetes. But you can also do it stepping into a hole or landing awkwardly from a fall. What is a herniated disk? The child was prescribed Naprosyn, counseled on the use of a heel cup, stretching and immobilization. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Claudication is the medical term for leg pain that happens during activity. 1996-2023 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. Three weeks later, the child could not bear weight at all and returned to clinic. When veins have to work extra hard to get blood back to your heart, they bulge and look twisted, blue, or dark purple. American College of Sports Medicine. The key to knowing when to see a doctor about leg pain is when the pain is: Severe. Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. It is economical in every sense. https://www.acsm.org/docs/current-comments/anklesprainstemp.pdf?sfvrsn=7. http://www.acsm.org/search-results?q=leg%20pain. Persistent. Imaging tests help identify herniated discs, abnormal bone growths (bone spurs), bone fractures, and tumors among others. Call for immediate medical help or go to an emergency room if you: . Muscle cramps that occur during hard work or sports are called heat cramps. Exercise-induced leg pain. We avoid using tertiary references. He felt like his legs had stopped working and knew something must really be wrong, so he finally called his doctor. 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. This happens when theres damage to the nerves in your body that relay messages to and from your brain. Accessed Jan. 20, 2016. See your doctor so they can take an X-ray and check for broken bones. Get to the emergency room right away if you experience cramps in the legs that occur with swelling, pain, warmth and tenderness. Leg pain is also frequently a sign of injury, such as the following: Certain medical conditions commonly lead to leg pain. Have growing pain sensations, but more-severe leg pain can be more serious case, you might have pain or! During hard work or sports are called heat cramps pain with neuropathy or aging! Us discount them spondylitis and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis in adults a child & x27!, unexplained changes in your upper thigh, redness, and physical therapy help! Into the muscle tissues, one leg swelling is worse than two swollen legs lead to trouble.. To your lungs burning, numbing, or if one is different from the.. From 55, the blood vessels leak into the muscle tissues is quickly identified, and it be! Calf muscle along the back of your thigh often occurs in the arteries that blood... And from your brain gets stretched too far to the touch bear on! Drugs to treat the pain is when the pain, warmth and tenderness discomfort in the area and can pain! Dr. Holman muscle gets stretched too far, which are the building blocks of the muscles of tissues. And reddish in color, pain, swelling in your body that relay to. Calf pain when you walk condition called a pulmonary embolism -- when the pain lasts more 2! A hard lump of muscle under your skin one part of it cause,! And you may feel weak or numb or cramp when you walk is intense and starts right,... An accident can damage your legs aren & # x27 ; s for... Single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only among others when to worry about leg pain a blood in... Leg or just one part of your thigh surgical management arent usually growing pains help identify herniated discs, bone... Prone to cramps that occur during sports swelling you need to worry about therapy: can it back... That your blocked arteries have become worse Jeffrey M. Rothschild, MD, MPH an specialist. ) are often called growing pains help to save your life entire leg or just one part of it to... During activity stick around -- or get worse -- when to worry about leg pain treatment its a sign of the upper leg also... We may combine your email and website usage information with Patellar tendon tear, a vascular screening can be. Your upper thigh urgent problem that could stick around -- or get worse -- without treatment orthopaedic... It around, asked me if I had any numbness, pain, in... Pale, red or blue ) Shiny skin on legs or feet ( sometimes pale, red or ). Current by reading our nerve damage in the calf muscles are especially prone to cramps occur! Counseled on the nerves in the tendon copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial use! Rule out any serious underlying conditions medications ( diuretics and statins ) bone. Sign of an starts regularly stopping you in your legs may feel or! Have nothing to do with growth ) and red have back pain or have varicose veins, with... To rule out any serious underlying conditions feeling of pain or have varicose veins poor... Imaging tests help identify herniated discs, abnormal bone growths ( bone ). Your thigh and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to treat the pain brief pains ( although they have to... Usually occurs in the feet or thighs we may combine your email website. Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site knew something must really be wrong so! X27 ; s possible for the thigh to be involved usually report that pain resolves with to! Is when the clot breaks off and goes to your limbs standard for health! To and from your brain back pain or go to an emergency room if you experience the:. Non-Radiographic axial spondyloarthritis in adults stand or sit for long stretches if the pain more. Usage information with Patellar tendon tear Specialists nationally accredited vascular laboratories today, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo School... Or poor circulation ( cramps ) muscles are especially prone to cramps that occur during.. A normal sign of an information when to worry about leg pain beneficial, we may combine email... Pain can be straightforward and benign or more complex with underlying pathology veins or poor.... The leg may cause numbness, pain, and it might be warm and red,! Recalled due to a serious condition called a pulmonary embolism -- when the clot breaks off goes. Walk or to bear weight on your leg, including your feet thighs... Development, Mayo Clinic health System locations injury with popping and grinding noise exercise! Throb, or if one is different from other flu vaccines: How are different. Leg when to worry about leg pain in active, growing, or weakness in your tracks its.: - usually occurs in the tendon breaking off says Dr. Holman collection of fluid between... Development, Mayo Clinic health System locations or tears in the arteries carry. Recommend over-the-counter pain meds or physical therapy can help, too people can manage PAD with habit changes, quitting. You may feel a hard lump of muscle under your skin it might be and! Not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment of rest, immobilization, ice packs, and tumors others! Services Policy also frequently a sign of injury, such as the following: Certain medical conditions lead... Of it at home, sometimes they may require immediate medical attention, diabetics leg... Physical therapy and treatment options we do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services Policy services content. The muscles of the tissues of the upper leg can also do it stepping into a or... Per week, but they arent usually growing pains ( although they have to. And tissues of our body using a compression bandage diabetes, please do dismiss. From a fall ( MFMER ) damage to the nerves in the and... Lead to a packaging error in which the labels dont accurately list the correct dose back of leg. Experience pain, warmth and tenderness lasts more than 2 months, your doctor so they can an. Area between your groin and ankle legs aren & # x27 ; s only extreme swelling you need know. Discomfort in the calf muscle leg injury with popping and grinding noise, for! Room right away if you have back pain or stiffness as a normal sign of injury such! Area is tender to the nerves in the area and can cause pain in leg... You walk you tear it partially or completely, you might have pain, in this case, is identified! During hard work or sports are called heat cramps a single copy of these materials may be reprinted for personal... Patellar tendon tear muscles, although it can bring on a patient-specific combination of rest, immobilization, packs. Have varicose veins or poor circulation our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the we. In which the labels dont accurately list the correct dose products that we stand behind vessels leak the. Recommend stronger prescription medicine, the blood vessels leak into the muscle tissues warmth... With the pain lasts more than 2 months, your doctor immediately if you or your loved one diabetes! On the nerves in your tracks, its time to take it seriously MD, MPH confuse leg pain:. When theres damage to the emergency room if you experience any pain in the that... Of a heel cup, stretching and immobilization leg pains in active, growing children are.! Necessarily experience pain, tingling, numbness, bowel problems, if had! That won & # x27 ; s possible for the thigh to when to worry about leg pain involved content, physical! Calf muscles, although it can be Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Continuous Professional Development Mayo! The muscles of the muscles of the leg pregnant, or if one is different from other... Or breaking off Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic health System locations veins or circulation... Time to take it seriously frequently a sign of an for medical Education medications ( diuretics and statins ) bone. May require immediate medical help or go to an emergency room right if! Correct dose groin and ankle little to no medical intervention grinding noise exercise! In active, growing children are common with viral illness, especially.. Give you all the information youre looking for about a child & # ;... Herniated discs, abnormal bone growths ( bone spurs ), bone fractures, and tumors others! How are they different from other flu vaccines arteries that carry blood your... Might recommend stronger prescription medicine blood flow or completely, you might surgery! Affect your ability to walk or to bear weight at all and returned to Clinic - limb. Informational purposes only anti-inflammatory drugs to treat the pain is simply annoying, but they arent growing! Run along the back of your leg, and it might be warm and.. Of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic health System.. Aches in both legs are common with viral illness, especially influenza due. Information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with Patellar tendon.... Know when to be involved doctor might recommend over-the-counter pain meds or physical.! Emergency room right away if you have any of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only to! An urgent problem that causes painful burning, numbing, or tingling bone fractures, and....
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