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What is the Most Common Cause of Leg Pain?

Madeleine A.
Madeleine A.

The most common cause of leg pain is leg injury or strain. In addition, heavy exercise can frequently be the cause of leg pain. Treatment generally includes simple remedies such as over-the-counter pain relievers, rest and elevation. When pain progressively worsens, or when pain is described as throbbing, the physician needs to be called for further investigation.

Infrequently, a serious cause of leg pain, or specifically calf pain, is a blood clot. Pain is usually not the only symptoms of a blood clot. Most of the time, redness, inflammation, pain upon flexing the foot and tenderness over the affected area are commonly present. Blood clots in the leg need immediate treatment because they can break off and travel to the heart or lungs. Treatment for leg blood clots include anticoagulant therapy, elevating the leg higher than the heart, and compression stockings.

Joint pain may be a sign of cartilage damage.
Joint pain may be a sign of cartilage damage.

Varicose veins are also a common cause of leg pain and sometimes occur as a result of prolonged standing, family history, and genetics. People who are employed in certain occupations such as hairdressing and construction work are especially prone to varicose veins. Taking pain medications, elevating the legs, and wearing elastic stockings can help with symptoms. Occasionally, the physician might recommend surgical intervention to treat large, cord-like varicose veins.

Leg cramps can be caused by strenuous running.
Leg cramps can be caused by strenuous running.

Exercising can be the cause of leg pain and it can eliminate it. Vigorous activities such as running and long distance cycling can contribute to leg pain. On the other hand, mild exercise such as a leisurely stroll and short distance, moderate bike riding can stimulate circulation and reduce leg pain. If pain becomes severe, exercise is discouraged, until the cause of leg pain can be determined. This is especially true of calf pain, because if a blood clot is present, exercise can dislodge the clot and cause it to travel.

Varicose veins can cause leg pain.
Varicose veins can cause leg pain.

Knee pain is also a common cause of leg pain. Arthritis of the knee can cause swelling, pain, and fluid retention. Draining fluid from the knee can offer relief, as can ibuprofen and wrapping the knee with an elastic bandage. Sometimes, physical therapy is recommended to help with mobility and to decrease discomfort. A torn cartilage often produces significant knee pain as well as difficulty bending the leg. In cases of a torn cartilage, surgery is often needed to removed the affected tissue to restore mobility.

Sports drinks containing electrolytes may help prevent leg cramps.
Sports drinks containing electrolytes may help prevent leg cramps.

Occasionally, leg cramps can cause leg pain. They can be caused by dehydration, loss of potassium, and too much exercise. Replacement of fluids with water and sports drinks can often replace lost electrolytes and reduce symptoms. In addition, walking is often effective in relieving leg cramps and charlie-horse type pain. When leg cramps cause debilitating pain, the health care provider needs to evaluate the cause, and develop a treatment plan.

Discussion Comments

BoatHugger

@googie98- Cortisone injections can be extremely helpful for leg pain. As with many drugs, there is an up side and a down side. The good side of using cortisone is that it helps to reduce the pain and the inflammation in the joints, permitting better mobility.

The down side of cortisone injections is, if used frequently and long-term, can do damage to the adjacent bone. It's really something that you should talk to your doctor about.

googie98

I have rheumatoid arthritis and I get cortisone shots in my knees about every four months. It helps with the pain tremendously. However, someone told me that getting cortisone shots frequently could be harmful. Does anyone know anything about that?

I have chronic leg pain and I really depend on those shots for pain relief.

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    • Joint pain may be a sign of cartilage damage.
      By: Shakzu
      Joint pain may be a sign of cartilage damage.
    • Leg cramps can be caused by strenuous running.
      By: Maridav
      Leg cramps can be caused by strenuous running.
    • Varicose veins can cause leg pain.
      By: roblan
      Varicose veins can cause leg pain.
    • Sports drinks containing electrolytes may help prevent leg cramps.
      By: James Phelps JR
      Sports drinks containing electrolytes may help prevent leg cramps.
    • Sometimes, physical therapy is recommended to help with mobility and to decrease discomfort.
      By: WavebreakMediaMicro
      Sometimes, physical therapy is recommended to help with mobility and to decrease discomfort.
    • Compression stockings can prevent and treat painful blood clots.
      By: nito
      Compression stockings can prevent and treat painful blood clots.
    • Hamstring strains and tears can cause pain in the back of the upper leg.
      By: Maridav
      Hamstring strains and tears can cause pain in the back of the upper leg.