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Leg pain
Definition:
Leg pain is a common symptom and complaint. For more specific topics, see foot pain, hip pain, knee pain, muscle pain, joint pain, shin splints, and blockage of leg arteries. Alternative Names:
Pain - leg; Aches - leg; Cramps - leg
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Common Causes:
Leg pain can be due to a muscle cramp (also called a charley horse). Common causes of cramps include: - Muscle fatigue or strain from overuse, too much exercise, or holding a muscle in the same position for a long time
- 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
An injury can also cause leg pain from: - A torn or overstretched muscle (strain)
- Inflamed tendon (tendinitis)
- Shin splints -- pain in the front of your leg related to overuse or repetitive pounding
- Hairline crack in the bone (stress fracture)
Other common causes of leg pain include: - Blood clot (deep vein thrombosis) from prolonged bed rest
- Atherosclerosis (plaque buildup) that blocks blood flow in the arteries (this type of pain, called claudication, is generally felt when exercising or walking and relieved by rest)
- 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)
- Infection of the bone (osteomyelitis) or skin and soft tissue (cellulitis)
- Varicose veins
Less common causes include: - Slipped capital femoral epiphysis -- usually seen in boys and overweight children between 11 and 15 years old, this refers to a separation of the ball of the hip joint from the thigh bone. It causes pain and growth abnormalities.
- Legg-Calve-Perthes disease -- poor blood flow to the hip that may stop or slow the normal growth of the leg. This condition usually affects boys between 4 and 10 years old.
- Benign tumors or cysts of the femur or tibia (osteoid ostioma).
- Malignant bone tumors (osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma).
- Drugs such as allopurinol and corticosteroids.
- Sciatic nerve pain (radiating pain down the leg) caused by a slipped disk in the back.
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