Leg pain is a very common complaint many people suffer from. Even though it sounds simple, diagnosing the cause of leg pain can be difficult, because there are so many things that cause it.
Passive Causes of Leg Pain
- Muscle strain from overuse
- Dehydration, low amounts of potassium
- Low amounts of sodium, calcium, or magnesium
- The use of statins for cholesterol control
- Diuretics causing fluid and mineral loss
Physical Causes of Leg Pain
- Blood Clots/Thrombosis from being bedridden
- Atherosclerosis (plaque build-up)
- Inflammation of joints
- Nerve Damage, Fibromyalgia
- Bone infection
- Sciatic Nerve Damage
- Benign Tumors or Cysts
- Varicose Veins
- Claudication, blood flow restriction to calf
- Benign Tumors or Cysts
- Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
What You Notice
You may begin to notice a dull, consistent pain in your leg, and the inability to keep your foot warm. Leg cramping, or "charley horse" spasms causing involuntary contraction of muscles may occur. You may experience imbalance, and swelling of the joints, or arthritic stiffness, or shooting pains from sciatic involvement causing difficulty in sitting or walking.
Other illnesses such as Lupus, Lyme Disease, or bacterial infections can also be the source of pain.
What It Feels Like
- Leg cramps and spasms
- Muscle pain and myalgia
- Numbness and tingling in feet
- Deep throbbing pain
- Numbness and tingling in feet or legs
- Pain moving or lifting the arms, or moving legs
- Sciatic symptoms