Causes of Bilateral Lower Leg Pain

Bilateral lower leg pain is pain in both legs, anywhere between the knees and the ankles. According to MayoClinic.com, leg pain can manifest anywhere from the hips to the ankles, and it may be caused by structures or tissues in other parts of the body, such as the lower back or feet 1. The lower leg is the area between the knees and the ankles. Some conditions can cause pain to arise in the lower leg on both sides of the body.

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Lumbar spinal stenosis can cause bilateral lower leg pain 2. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons or AAOS, spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal, which in turn reduces the amount of space surrounding the spinal cord 2. Over time, as bony changes occur in the vertebrae of the lumber spine or lower back, the spinal canal narrows and puts pressure on the spinal cord or the spinal nerve roots, which may cause:

• pain
  
• numbness
  
• weakness in the lower legs

The most common causes of lumbar spinal stenosis are degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis, which may cause the spinal ligaments to thicken, further reducing the amount of available space for the spinal cord and the spinal nerve roots. Pressure on the spinal cord can cause symptoms in both legs. Common signs and symptoms associated with lumbar spinal stenosis include back pain, burning pain in the lower legs, numbness, tingling and weakness in the lower extremities. The pain can usually lessens when sitting or leaning forward.

Shin Splints

The MedlinePlus website states that shin splints, also called medial tibial stress syndrome, cause pain in the anterior, or front, portion of the lower legs. Shin splint-related pain usually manifests along the edge of the tibia bone--the larger of the two bones of the lower leg.

Shin splints usually develop during or immediately following an increase in exercise volume or intensity. Shin splint-related pain occurs when the muscles, tendons and the thin layer of tissue surrounding the tibia experience swelling and inflammation. Common signs and symptoms associated with shin splints include pain and tenderness along the shin, minor swelling in the affected area and a reduced ability to walk or run. According to the MedlinePlus website, shin splints are a common injury among both recreational and trained athletes alike.

Peripheral Artery Disease

Peripheral artery disease can cause bilateral lower leg pain. Plaque is a combination of fatty and fibrous tissues. A buildup of plaque is called atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis can cause the arteries, including the arteries carrying oxygenated blood to the lower legs, to harden and narrow. The NHLBI states that peripheral artery disease most commonly affects the legs, although it can also limit blood flow to the head, arms, kidneys and stomach. Common signs and symptoms associated with peripheral artery disease include painful cramping in the hip, thigh or calf muscles following activity, leg numbness and weakness, leg discoloration and a reduced ability to heal wounds in the legs and feet.