Leg pain

Definition

Leg pain is a common symptom and complaint.

For more specific information, see:

• Foot pain
• Knee pain
• Joint pain
• Hip pain
• Muscle pain
• Shin splints

Alternative Names

Causes

Leg pain can be due to a muscle cramp (also called a charley horse). Common causes of cramps include:

• Dehydration or low amounts of potassium, sodium, calcium, or magnesium in the blood
• Medications such as:
  • Diuretics, which can cause you to lose too much fluid or minerals
  • Statins, which lower cholesterol and can cause muscle injury
• Muscle fatigue or strain from overuse, too much exercise, or holding a muscle in the same position for a long time

An injury can also cause leg pain from:

• A torn or overstretched muscle (strain)
• Hairline crack in the bone (stress fracture)
• Inflamed tendon (tendinitis)
• Shin splints -- pain in the front of your leg related to overuse or repetitive pounding

Other common causes of leg pain include:

• Atherosclerosis that blocks blood flow in the arteries (this type of pain, called claudication, is generally felt when exercising or walking and relieved by rest)
• Blood clot (deep vein thrombosis) from prolonged bed rest
• Infection of the bone (osteomyelitis) or skin and soft tissue (cellulitis)
• Inflammation of the leg joints by arthritis or gout
• Nerve damage -- common in diabetics, smokers, and alcoholics (symptoms include numbness, tingling, or a sensation of pins-and-needles)
• Varicose veins

Less common causes include:

• Benign tumors or cysts of the femur or tibia (osteoid osteoma)
• Drugs such as allopurinol and corticosteroids
• Legg-Calve-Perthes disease -- poor blood flow to the hip that may stop or slow the normal growth of the leg
• Malignant bone tumors (osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma)
• Sciatic nerve pain (radiating pain down the leg) caused by a slipped disk in the back.
• Slipped capital femoral epiphysis -- usually seen in boys and overweight children between 11 and 15 years old

References

Wilder RP. Overuse injuries: tendinopathies, stress fractures, compartment syndrome, and shin splints. Clin Sports Med. 2004; 23(1): 55-81, vi.

Gutt CN. Prophylaxis and treatment of deep vein thrombosis in general surgery. Am J Surg. 2005; 189(1): 14-22.

Vinik AI. Diabetic neuropathies. Med Clin North Am. 2004; 88(4): 947-999, xi.

Armitage J. The safety of statins in clinical practice. Lancet. 2007 [June 6 e-pub].