Leg pain

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Lower leg muscles

Leg pain (Osgood-Schlatter)

Shin splints

Varicose veins

Retrocalcaneal bursitis

Overview

Treatment

Leg pain

Alternative Names:

Pain - leg; Aches - leg; Cramps - leg
Home Care:

If you have leg pain from cramps or overuse, take these steps first:

Rest as much as possible.
Elevate your leg.
Apply ice for up to 15 minutes. Do this 4 times per day, more often for the first few days.
Gently stretch and massage cramping muscles.
Take over-the-counter pain medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

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For leg pain caused by varicose veins, leg elevation and compression with elastic bandages or support hose can help.

For leg pain caused by nerve disorders or claudication, control diabetes, eliminate alcohol and tobacco, and avoid ill-fitting shoes.

Call your health care provider if:

Call your doctor if:

The painful leg is swollen or red.
You have a fever.
Your pain worsens when walking or exercising and improves with rest.
The leg is black and blue.
The leg is cold and pale.
You are on medications that may be causing leg pain. DO NOT stop or change any of your usual medications without talking to your doctor.
Self-care steps do not help.

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

Your health care provider will perform a physical examination, with careful attention to your legs, feet, thighs, hips, back, knees, and ankles.

To help diagnose the cause of the problem, your doctor will ask medical history questions, such as:

Where exactly is your pain?
Do you have pain in one or both legs?
How would you describe the pain? Dull and aching? Sharp and stabbing? Do you consider it to be severe?
Is the pain worse at any particular time of day, like in the morning or at night?
What makes the pain feel worse? For example, does exercise or long periods of standing worsen your pain?
Does anything make your pain feel better like elevating your legs?
Do you have any other symptoms like numbness or tingling? Back pain? A fever? Weakness?

The following diagnostic tests may be performed:

Duplex Doppler/ultrasound exam to look for a blood clot
X-ray of your back or legs
MRI if a malignant tumor is suspected
Bone biopsy if tumor is seen on MRI which may be malignant
Bone scan
Blood tests for specific diseases
Arteriogram to check blood flow

Treatment depends on the cause. Medications may include pain medicines, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as Coumadin if there is a blood clot, and others. Cellulitis and osteomyelitis are each treated with antibiotics. Osteomyelitis will require extended use of antibiotics.