Leg Pain
Leg pain is a common symptom and complaint.
Common 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
Leg Pain
Leg pain is a common symptom and complaint.
Common 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