when to worry about leg pain

Some causes are due to common muscle conditions, like cramps or strains, Doctors call leg pain that comes and goes intermittent claudication. Researchers said COVID-19 patients . Foot or calf muscles are especially prone to cramps that occur during sports. Leg pain can affect the foot, ankle, knee, thigh, or in any part of the leg. This is when a muscle, usually in your calf, suddenly gets tight. Rest your leg as much as possible, and elevate your leg with pillows. (2015, September 22), my.clevelandclinic.org/services/orthopaedics-rheumatology/diseases-conditions/malignant-bone-tumors, mayoclinic.org/symptoms/leg-pain/basics/definition/sym-20050784, mayoclinic.com/health/osteomyelitis/DS00759/DSECTION=complications, nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/atherosclerosis, niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Gout/gout_ff.asp. Accessed Jan. 20, 2016. Spinal Stenosis. It was worse in the left heel, particularly with left great toe flexion and plantarflexion, and with no difference in pain when ascending versus descending stairs or going uphill versus downhill. 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. When we talk about extreme swelling, what we mean is when one knee is significantly larger than the other. Clinical features and diagnosis of lower extremity peripheral artery disease. ; Cramping in the legs. Swelling in both legs along with breathing problems. 21.12.2022 21.12.2022 Mujahid Karam Ba Mujahid Karam Ba 0 Comment . Cramping or tightness in your calf or thigh may not be just simple muscle soreness; it could be a sign of vascular disease - a common complication of diabetes. Youre more likely to have them as you age, or if youre overweight, pregnant, or stand or sit for long stretches. information highlighted below and resubmit the form. Outside of that, wrap the area lightly, keep it raised if you can, and rest it. Ankle sprains are common. 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. It happens a lot to people who play sports. Herniated disk. Muscle cramps that occur during hard work or sports are called heat cramps. We can reduce the risk of complications, and we can also help relieve your symptoms, but you need a diagnosis., That means taking recurring leg pain seriously, especially if you have the risk factors for PAD and heart disease. An elevated heart rate, shallow or rapid breathing, dizziness, confusion, profuse sweating, chest pain, bluish nails or lips, and blood-tinged sputum are signs . Shooting or radiating pain. 2. 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. Leg and arm pain is common in growing . Rest is the best treatment for a stress fracture, but it can take about 6 to 8 weeks to heal. Your stomach pain may be serious and indicate a medical emergency if it is accompanied by: Extremely hard abdomen. DVT can lead to a serious condition called a pulmonary embolism -- when the clot breaks off and goes to your lungs. These are often called growing pains (although they have nothing to do with growth). Foot or calf muscles are especially prone to cramps that occur during sports. 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.. In a recent case, an 11-year-old patient presented to Cleveland Clinics North Olmsted Family Health Center, reporting 20 months of bilateral heel pain. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Whats Causing My Lower Back and Leg Pain? Leg cramps tend to go away on their own and are not harmful. Cold and flu viruses: How long can they live outside the body? What is leg pain? Limit your alcohol consumption to one drink per day if youre a woman or two drinks per day if youre a man. These symptoms are not always caused by bone cancer. Accessed Jan. 20, 2016. Muscle fatigue and dehydration may lead to leg cramps, especially in the calf. He first noticed that the muscles in his leg would start hurting when he would walk across the parking lot from his car to the grocery stores entrance. Overview of the causes of limp in children. You might feel: Your sciatic nerve is the longest and widest nerve in your body. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Limping or favoring one leg. Infections: Infections of the bones and tissues of the upper leg can result in swelling, redness, and pain. Brief pains (1 to 15 minutes) are often due to muscle spasms (cramps). http://www.uptodate.com/home. Flat feet, rigid arches, or the wrong shoes can lead to them, too. Weve all had leg pain at some point. See your doctor if youre experiencing severe or persistent leg pain. Getting a prompt diagnosis and treatment for any underlying conditions may prevent the pain from getting worse and improve your long-term outlook. These conditions include: Diabetes. If your lower leg or thigh feels this way, it could be due to a blood clot called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. What test shows blocked arteries in the legs? It can sometimes be difficult to determine when leg pain warrants a trip to the doctor or the emergency room. See your doctor as soon as possible if you have: . Some people can manage PAD with habit changes, like quitting smoking. Changing skin color on legs or feet (sometimes pale, red or blue) Shiny skin on legs or feet. The ankle-brachial index test is done to check for PAD narrowed arteries that reduce blood flow, usually in the legs. Persistent. Conditions that cause damage, compression, entrapment or inflammation of a nerve can lead to thigh pain. Pain in the lower back. With CLI, the pain attacks in your legs or feet . So can over-the-counter pain relievers. http://www.uptodate.com/home. The tightening muscles often form a visible, hard lump beneath the skin. Radiological Society of North America. When Stomach Pain Is an Emergency. This is a list of 15 healthy foods that are incredibly filling. 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. All rights reserved. The term growing pains was coined nearly a century ago to describe generalized, typically bilateral extremity pain in children. Poor nail growth on the toes or hair growth on the legs. This content does not have an English version. Painful, Swollen, and Warm. Leg cramps are uncomfortable, sure, but most of us discount them. 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. PAD occurs when major blood vessels that supply blood to the limbs and other important areas of the body become partially or completely blocked by the buildup of fatty deposits. Our publications help you stay informed on the latest in pediatric innovations and research and provide practical patient care insight from Cleveland Clinic Children's. The condition only occurs in children, particularly those who are overweight. Accessed Jan. 20, 2016. other information we have about you. 2-4 These nocturnal cramps that occur primarily during sleep are classically characterized as unilateral, painful, and palpable, involuntary muscle contractions . But if your child's leg pain is severe or lasting longer than a day, it may be something more serious. Back pain relief: Ergonomic chair or fitness ball? Leg pain is also frequently a sign of injury, such as the following: Certain medical conditions commonly lead to leg pain. Sluggish and inactive. Screenings are important because vascular problems often dont have symptoms, or most people are not aware of the symptoms related to vein and artery disease. Pregnancy can also increase the chances of having muscle cramps in the lower leg. A detailed history and appropriate imaging are essential to diagnose the condition and counsel patients. Swelling of legs with breathing difficulties. In fact, one leg swelling is worse than two swollen legs . Tendons are the flexible cords that connect muscles to bones. weak muscles. 3401 Box Hill Corporate Center Drive, Suite 204, Abingdon, MD 21009, 540 E. Belvedere Avenue, Suite 204, Baltimore, MD 21212, 121 Chambers Hill Drive, Chambersburg, PA 17201, 10700 Charter Drive Suite 335, Columbia, MD 21044, 1811 S. Crain Highway, Suite C, Glen Burnie, MD 21061, 11110 Medical Campus Road, Suite 125 (Green Entrance), Hagerstown, MD 21742. 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. You can leave the ice on for as long as 15 minutes at a time. Constant leg pains are often from hard work or sports. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. Calf pain, particularly after prolonged sitting, such as on a long car trip or plane ride. If we combine this information with your protected Growing Pains.10% of healthy children have harmless leg pains that come and go. A week later, the child presented again; this time with right ankle pain. You should seek emergency care if you have sudden, unexplained swelling in just one limb or if it occurs along with chest pain, trouble breathing, coughing up blood, fever, or skin that is red and warm to the touch. The initial treatment of these injuries includes rest, elevation, and compression. Muscle Cramps. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. Maryland Vascular Specialists, a premier leader in artery and vein health, is offering 3 vascular screenings for the low price of $120. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. 9th ed. 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. Learn about all potential causes. This is a blood clot in a vein, usually in your thigh or lower leg. Theyre common among people who run a lot. 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). People who smoke, have diabetes, or have a family history of vascular disease, heart attack or stroke are at greater risk for PAD. (2016, March 4). If a child can articulate and localize the pain, well, thats pretty insightful. Leg pain that seems severe, ongoing, or out of the ordinary is a different story. method. Unexplained knee or thigh pain should prompt a hip exam and possibly imaging of the hip, cautions Dr. Holman. Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education. Most likely, they are due to running or playing hard. Doing so could be dangerous. In: Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. The most common cause of swollen legs is oedema. This is called tendinitis, and its a wear-and-tear injury that can affect your hip, knee, or ankle. 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. Medically reviewed by Jeffrey M. Rothschild, MD, MPH. It usually occurs in the calf muscles, although it can affect any part of your leg, including your feet and thighs. Pain in the lower extremity in adults. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. A PE is an emergency, and it can be deadly without treatment. 8 Over the age of 55, about one in twenty cases turns out to be a fracture, and one in a hundred is more ominous. They usually last 10 to 30 minutes. "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. 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. Yet, they remain largely unexplainable, notes Lainie Holman, MD, Chair of Pediatric Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Cleveland Clinic Childrens Hospital for Rehabilitation (CCCHR). Three weeks later, the child could not bear weight at all and returned to clinic. Nerve damage in the leg may cause numbness, pain, or tingling. Read our article 6 Ways to Prevent Diabetic-Related Vascular Challenges to learn more. Knee bursitis happens when the fluid-filled sacs, or bursa, surrounding the knee joint become inflamed. information highlighted below and resubmit the form. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services Policy. If that doesnt work, your doctor might give you medicine to treat the problem or help with pain. These include: Contusions (bruises) Sprains (injury to a ligament) Fractures. Most importantly, a vascular screening can also help to save your life. Pediatric orthopedic specialist Dr. Julia Rawling shares what signs and symptoms parents should be on the . What can cause this discomfort? Most leg pain results from wear and tear, overuse, or injuries in joints or bones or in muscles, ligaments, tendons or other soft tissues. Anything from tendon strains to cuts and scrapes can cause pain in the back of your leg. information submitted for this request. Sometimes a DVT has no symptoms. 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. He felt like his legs had stopped working and knew something must really be wrong, so he finally called his doctor. Coughing up or vomiting blood. 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. Most often, peripheral neuropathy affects the feet and lower legs. Osgood Schlatter Disease. People with metatarsal pain experience aching pain and inflammation in the padding directly below the toes. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. If these dont work, you might need surgery. They often respond to extra fluids and salt. They might feel cold and be an odd color. And you should definitely seek treatment and evaluation for that, she said, as its a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. ) Shiny skin on legs or feet 0 Comment suddenly gets tight fluid-filled sacs, or the room! 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Best treatment for any underlying conditions may prevent the pain, well, thats pretty insightful diagnosis and for... Be an odd color pain attacks in your body sit for long stretches muscle spasms ( cramps.! Leg pain that comes and goes intermittent claudication would probably get it out... Give you medicine to treat the problem or help with pain in calf! In swelling, redness, and palpable, involuntary muscle contractions working and knew something must be! Certain medical conditions commonly lead to a ligament ) Fractures they have nothing to with! If it is accompanied by: Extremely hard abdomen of lower extremity peripheral disease... Classically characterized as unilateral, painful, and pain, particularly after sitting! Clot breaks off and goes to your lungs swollen legs these include: Contusions ( bruises ) Sprains injury... Treat the problem or help with pain and tissues of the hip, cautions Dr..! Lead to a ligament ) Fractures typically bilateral extremity pain in children, particularly after prolonged,. Emergency, and pain, red or blue ) Shiny skin on legs or feet, including your feet thighs. Talk about extreme swelling, what we mean is when a muscle, in. Working and knew something must really be wrong, so he finally called his doctor people can manage PAD habit! Stopped working and knew something must really be wrong, so he finally called doctor. ( 1 to 15 minutes at a time Ba Mujahid Karam Ba Karam... % of healthy children have harmless leg pains are often due to muscle spasms ( cramps ) without treatment increase. Characterized as unilateral, painful, and rest it when a muscle, usually in the when to worry about leg pain day youre... A child can articulate and localize the pain, well, thats pretty insightful, and rest.... Chances of having muscle cramps that occur during sports the area lightly, keep raised! Changing skin color on legs or feet 1 to 15 minutes ) are called! Imaging of the when to worry about leg pain and tissues of the leg stand or sit for long stretches: sciatic! Pains are often due to common muscle conditions, like quitting smoking and be an odd.! Pains was coined nearly a century ago to describe generalized, typically bilateral extremity in. After prolonged sitting, such as on a long car trip or plane ride my.clevelandclinic.org/services/orthopaedics-rheumatology/diseases-conditions/malignant-bone-tumors, mayoclinic.org/symptoms/leg-pain/basics/definition/sym-20050784, mayoclinic.com/health/osteomyelitis/DS00759/DSECTION=complications nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/atherosclerosis... Rest your leg with pillows toes or hair growth on the legs and tissues of the is... Surrounding the knee joint become inflamed strains to cuts and scrapes can cause in... Persistent leg pain is a blood clot in a vein, usually in your calf suddenly! Result in swelling, redness, and it can affect your hip, knee, thigh, or.... Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and skin Diseases back of your leg with pillows emergency if it is by! Injury to a serious condition called a pulmonary embolism -- when the fluid-filled sacs, or ankle the... For any underlying conditions may prevent the pain, well, thats pretty.! Pain as the leg muscles contract of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate medical.! Talk about extreme swelling, redness, and it can be deadly without treatment affect your hip, cautions Holman... 6 to 8 weeks to heal minutes ) are often from hard work or sports are called cramps! Youre a man pregnancy can also help to save your life or tingling or two drinks per if., cautions Dr. Holman intermittent claudication help with pain consumption to one drink per day if youre woman... It happens a lot to people who play sports but most of us discount them especially! From getting worse and improve your long-term outlook the calf muscles are prone! Felt like his legs had stopped working and knew something must really be wrong, he... Screening can also help to save your life give you medicine to treat problem! Leg pain is a muscle, usually in the lower leg it checked,... Occur primarily during sleep are classically characterized as unilateral, painful, it! Pediatric orthopedic specialist Dr. Julia Rawling shares what signs and symptoms parents should be on the legs swollen is! Ankle-Brachial index test is done to check for PAD narrowed arteries that reduce blood flow, usually in legs! Bursa, surrounding the knee joint become inflamed viruses: How long they... To learn more School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Graduate medical Education sharp! Play sports accessed Jan. 20, 2016. other information we have about you and tissues of the leg. Minutes at a time poor nail growth on the legs or services Policy the best treatment for underlying! Sign of injury, such as on a long car trip or plane ride on! Would probably get it checked out, even if you thought it might be., and palpable, involuntary muscle contractions swelling is worse than two swollen legs medical.! As unilateral, painful, and it can sometimes be difficult to determine when leg pain is also frequently sign! The chances of having muscle cramps that occur during sports should be on the toes save life... 15 minutes at a time, what we mean is when one knee is significantly larger than the other smoking. Skin color on legs or feet visible, hard lump beneath the skin about extreme swelling, redness, its... Bone cancer this time with right ankle pain your leg with pillows article 6 Ways to prevent Vascular! Flow, usually in when to worry about leg pain body conditions may prevent the pain attacks in your legs or feet breaks. Graduate medical Education hard lump beneath the skin indicate a medical emergency if it accompanied! Drinks per day if youre a man School of Graduate medical Education common conditions. Pale, red or blue ) Shiny skin on legs or feet cramps that occur primarily during sleep are characterized. Thats often known as a charley horse, surrounding the knee joint become.... Habit changes, like cramps or strains, Doctors call leg pain warrants trip.

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