Leg Pain
Alternative names:
pain in the leg(s)
Home care:
For unexplained leg pain lasting less than 1 week, rest as much as possible. Elevate the leg and take over-the-counter pain medications. Gentle massage may improve comfort. If pain persists, call the health care provider.
Heat (warm soaks or a warm heating pad) or cool soaks may help improve comfort.
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, control diabetes or eliminate alcohol and tobacco. Avoid tight-fitting shoes with pressure areas.
Call your health care provider if:
- leg pain persists or is rapidly worsening.
What to expect at your health care provider's office:
The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.
Medical history questions documenting leg pain in detail may include:
- location
- Is the pain in the back of the thigh, calf, or foot (posterior)?
- Is the pain on only one side (unilateral)?
- Does the pain seem to be associated with a vein near the surface of the body (superficial vein)?
- Is the pain in the tendon at the back of the heel (Achilles tendon)?
- Does the pain go into the top of the foot?
- Is the pain in the inner side of the thigh (medial thigh)?
- Do you have pain in your shin(s)?
- quality
- Is it severe?
- Is it dull and aching or sharp and stabbing?
- Is it a cramping pain?
- time pattern
- Is it worse in the morning or at night?
- Is it the same all the time?
- aggravating factors
- Is the pain worse after you exercise?
- Is the pain worse after you have been standing?
- relieving factors
- Is the pain better after you elevate the legs?
- Is the pain better when you keep the feet down?
- other symptoms
Note:
- If the pain is relieved by elevating the legs, the problem may be phlebitis.
- Leg pain caused by arterial problems tends to improve with the help of gravity when the feet are hanging down.
- If the pain is accompanied by numbness and tingling, and it radiates from the hip or buttocks region down the leg, the problem might relate to the back.
The physical examination will include a detailed examination of the hip, leg, and feet, including the joints.
Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:
- duplex Doppler/ultrasound exam of extremity
- X-ray of the back or extremities
- MRI if a malignant tumor is diagnosed and a CT of the lungs to rule out metastasis
- Bone biopsy if malignancy is suspected
- bone scan
- blood tests for specific diseases
- arteriogram (special X-ray of the blood vessels in the legs) may be needed in some cases
Intervention:
Treatment depends on the cause. Medications may include pain medicines, anti-inflammatory analgesics - oral, anticoagulants ("blood thinners" such as Coumadin), and others. For some causes, insertion of a special tube (balloon catheter) into the artery may be advised.
After seeing your health care provider:
You may want to add a diagnosis related to leg pain to your personal medical record.
Update Date: 02/09/00
Updated by: J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director,
Utah Health Informatics and adam.com
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