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At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: FastStats Arthritis
- Muscles, Ligaments and Tendons Journal: Tendon Structure, Disease, and Imaging
- Muscles, Ligaments and Tendons Journal: Tendon Structure, Disease, and Imaging
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
Causes of Legs Aching & Pain
In addition to injuries, many medical conditions can trigger leg pain and aching. Chronic arthritic conditions, infections and blood vessel abnormalities are common causes of leg pain. Diagnosis of the cause of leg pain begins with a thorough physical examination and consideration of the onset and progression of symptoms. Blood tests, x-rays and imaging studies may be included in the diagnostic workup. Determining the cause of leg pain leads to appropriate medical management to minimize or alleviate this potentially disabling symptom.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Arthritic Conditions
The term arthritis describes a group of conditions that cause joint inflammation and associated pain. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that approximately 52 million Americans are living with some form of arthritis 2. The most common type is the wear-and-tear form, or osteoarthritis. Other types include rheumatoid, juvenile and psoriatic arthritis, and gout and pseudogout. The hips, knees and/or ankles may be affected. Symptoms include aching pain, joint stiffness, swelling, limited joint movement and joint deformities. Other disorders that affect the body can also cause arthritic joint pain in the legs, such as Lyme disease, lupus erythematosus and fibromyalgia.
- The term arthritis describes a group of conditions that cause joint inflammation and associated pain.
- Other types include rheumatoid, juvenile and psoriatic arthritis, and gout and pseudogout.
Bone and Tendon Disorders
Causes of Fever & Pain in the Leg
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Stress fractures in the legs are hairline cracks in the bones that typically occur with overuse, such as long-distance running. Tendons of the leg can also become chronically inflammed with overuse, causing tendinopathy. Both conditions can cause persistent or recurring leg pain. Infection in the leg bones, termed osteomyelitis, may cause rapidly progressive aching, pain and fever. Bloodstream infections that seed the bone with infectious organisms and open-leg trauma that provides a direct route of entry into the bone are common causes of osteomyelitis. Bone tumors of the leg -- cancerous or noncancerous -- typically cause slowly progressive pain and aching.
- Stress fractures in the legs are hairline cracks in the bones that typically occur with overuse, such as long-distance running.
- Tendons of the leg can also become chronically inflammed with overuse, causing tendinopathy.
Blood Vessels Disorders
Inflammation of a vein due to the presence of a blood clot is termed thrombophlebitis, a disorder that commonly affects the legs. Superficial thrombophlebitis involves veins near the skin surface 5. Deep vein thrombosis describes phlebitis of the deep veins 6. Both types of thrombophlebitis may cause aching leg pain and swelling. In some cases, extensive varicose veins can also lead to lower leg pain and swelling, especially after prolonged standing. Atherosclerosis of the arteries that supply the legs are another common cause of aching and pain in the leg -- especially in the calf. This condition, known as peripheral arterial disease, occurs when fatty blockages form in the arteries and diminish blood flow to the muscles 7. Smoking is an important risk factor for this painful condition.
When to See Your Doctor
Causes of Bilateral Lower Leg Pain
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See your doctor for any persistent or recurring leg pain to determine the cause and appropriate treatment. Seek medical care right away if your leg pain is severe, related to an injury, or is accompanied by a fever, leg swelling or shortness of breath.
Related Articles
References
- Family Practice Notebook: Leg Pain
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: FastStats Arthritis
- Muscles, Ligaments and Tendons Journal: Tendon Structure, Disease, and Imaging
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital: Osteomyelitis
- The Merck Manual Professional Edition: Superficial Venous Thrombosis
- The Merck Manual Professional Edition: Deep Venous Thrombosis
- The Merck Manual Professional Edition: Peripheral Arterial Disease
- Ankle-Brachial Index. Heart and Vascular Center. The Ohio State University.
- Leg Pain. University of Maryland Medical Center.
- Osteomyelitis. Cleveland Clinic.
Writer Bio
Dr. St. John is a medical writer and editor with more than 15 years experience in the field. She is a former medical officer for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.