A leg cramp often called a charley horse, is a sudden sustained and involuntary contraction of the muscle fibers. information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of In those with mild to moderate symptoms, Dr. Shortell says three therapies are most often recommended: For people with severe symptoms -- persistent, debilitating leg pain or wounds that wont heal -- surgical procedures can open up the blocked veins. (2015, September 25). In: Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. Screenings are important because vascular problems often dont have symptoms, or most people are not aware of the symptoms related to vein and artery disease. Cutting edge minimally invasive outpatient treatments. The patient had previously been diagnosed with calcaneal apophysitis (Severs disease) by their primary care provider. Most often, peripheral neuropathy affects the feet and lower legs. Toxic synovitis tends to occur in toddlers after jumping too much. Cramping or tightness in your calf or thigh may not be just simple muscle soreness; it could be a sign of vascular disease - a common complication of diabetes. 2005 - 2019 WebMD LLC. Myofascial release therapy: Can it relieve back pain? Not everyone has one, and the people who do, dont necessarily experience pain, she says. Strains: A pulled calf muscle, or a calf muscle strain, occurs when you overstretch your calf muscles. This also makes the legs quite painful. This content does not have an English version. All Rights Reserved. Accessed Jan. 20, 2016. Rest your leg as much as possible, and elevate your leg with pillows. MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The initial treatment of these injuries includes rest, elevation, and compression. Leg pain can be described as any feeling of pain or discomfort in the area between your groin and ankle. Clark MC. Skin in the area may also be sensitive to touch and . Peak age is young teens. Hamstring muscle injuries. A minor injury, like a leg muscle strain or ligament sprain, can be treated by applying ice to the area of pain and swelling. The cause of calf pain, in this case, is quickly identified, and appropriate treatment can be . Accessed Jan. 20, 2016. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Clark MC. Noncancerous, or benign, tumors can also develop in the thighbone or shinbone. This hardening and narrowing of the blood vessels, called atherosclerosis, occurs throughout the body, but in patients with PAD it can show up as leg pain, said Dr. Patel. Herniated disk. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Autoimmune: Diseases that affect nerves, particularly in the lower back can deliver pain to the upper leg. Nighttime leg pain could be a sign of the worst form of PAD - critical limb ischemia (CLI). This . Cold and pale legs. Your leg is pale and feels cool to the touch. Tendonitis (tendon inflammation) can put pressure on your calf muscle or make it painful for the muscle to work. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. When veins have to work extra hard to get blood back to your heart, they bulge and look twisted, blue, or dark purple. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on It branches from your lower back down into your legs. There is a problem with redness, swelling or warmth. Accessed Jan. 20, 2016. Knee and leg. Accessed Jan. 20, 2016. Accessed Jan. 20, 2016. This condition happens when the spaces within the bones in your spine get narrow. 2. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on The team used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) short-TI inversion recovery (STIR), which confirmed the diagnosis. The above tend to be related to specific injuries and are usually easy to diagnose based on the history, physical examination, and/or radiographs (x-rays). Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Terms of Use. A calf muscle contusion, otherwise known as a bruise, happens when blood vessels under the skin are torn or ruptured. But see your doctor so they can make sure its nothing more serious. Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Smoking Pot Every Day Linked to Heart Risks, Artificial Sweetener Linked to Heart Risks, FDA Authorizes First At-Home Test for COVID and Flu, New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, MINOCA: The Heart Attack You Didnt See Coming, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox, Living With DVT: Tips to Keep Away Blood Clots. Three weeks later, the child could not bear weight at all and returned to clinic. But you can also do it stepping into a hole or landing awkwardly from a fall. Oedema can occur in one particular part of the body, or it can be generalised. Your Achilles is a tough band of tissue that connects your calf muscle to your heel bone. feeling generally unwell, if you have an infection or fracture. ; An infection in the skin, joint, or other tissue of the leg. Some general tips to prevent leg pain caused due to nerve damage include: 1996-2023 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. Brief pains (1 to 15 minutes) are often due to muscle spasms (cramps). The symptoms can range from mild achiness and tightness to sudden inability to walk or bear weight. Too often, diabetics confuse leg pain with neuropathy or the aging process a burning or painful discomfort in the feet or thighs. Claudication is a symptom of a narrowing or blockage of an artery. Leg cramps are characterized by sudden, severe, and involuntary muscle contractions. Cold and pale legs. Your legs may feel weak or numb or cramp when you walk. Unfortunately, said Dr. Patel, people who have this condition tend to dial down their physical activity to avoid the pain, instead of seeking the advice of their physician. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Burning Thigh Pain (Meralgia Paresthetica), OrthoInfo: Muscle Strains in the Thigh, Shin Splints, Stress Fractures., American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society: How to Care for a Sprained Ankle., American College of Rheumatology: Tendinitis (Bursitis).. Injuries. Seller RH, et al. This injury happens when the tissue that connects a bone to a bone, called a ligament, is stretched or torn. Click here to schedule your vascular screening at one of Maryland Vascular Specialists nationally accredited vascular laboratories today! Charge less than a hospital while providing highest level of care. A patient with liver disease, high cholesterol, or diabetes. Most importantly, a vascular screening can also help to save your life. The symptoms are a limp, moderate pain and usually no fever. That puts pressure on the nerves in the area and can cause pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness in your legs. A detailed history and appropriate imaging are essential to diagnose the condition and counsel patients. Get to the emergency room right away if you experience cramps in the legs that occur with swelling, pain, warmth and tenderness. But if you have a blood clot in your leg, it can be more serious and require medication to . These conditions include: Diabetes. Usually your muscles will stop aching in 2-5 days and you wont need any medical attention. Call for immediate medical help or go to an emergency room if you: . While most cases of calf pain can be treated at home, sometimes they may require immediate medical attention. 21.12.2022 21.12.2022 Mujahid Karam Ba Mujahid Karam Ba 0 Comment . Then leg cramps started to impact Jack as he went out for his daily walk in his neighborhood with his friends. They can be caused by IVC obstruction or thrombosis at any time. They often respond to extra fluids and salt. These include: The following conditions and injuries can also lead to leg pain, but theyre less common causes: You can usually treat leg pain at home if its due to cramps or a minor injury. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. These are often called growing pains (although they have nothing to do with growth). Harmless and goes away in 1 2 years. This is leg pain that comes from a pinched nerve in your lower spine. Swelling of both the legs. You have a leg injury that occurred along with a pop or grinding noise. If you tear one of them, or tear a tendon in the back of your thigh, it can bring on sharp pain. Key takeaways: Leg cramps and a blood clot in the leg can both cause pain in the calf muscle. In a recent case, an 11-year-old patient presented to Cleveland Clinics North Olmsted Family Health Center, reporting 20 months of bilateral heel pain. Neschis DG, et al. You lose some through sweat when you exercise, and if you lose too much, your legs can cramp or feel weak or numb. The patient, an ice hockey player, located the pain in the posterior, distal heel, but not exactly at the Achilles insertion. schedule an appointment with a vascular physician, 6 Ways to Prevent Diabetic-Related Vascular Challenges, schedule a consultation with a vascular specialist. Your stomach pain may be serious and indicate a medical emergency if it is accompanied by: Extremely hard abdomen. Make a note if both legs look the same, or if one is different from the other. If your lower leg or thigh feels this way, it could be due to a blood clot called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). There are some symptoms that help differentiate whether your pain is from a cramp or a blood clot. Chest pain or pressure. However, if the calf pain is . 2. Filling foods can fight hunger and help you eat less at the next meal. Cold and flu viruses: How long can they live outside the body? When it happens in your hips, knees, or ankles, it can be hard to walk or do other everyday activities. https://www.acsm.org/docs/current-comments/anklesprainstemp.pdf?sfvrsn=7. It can hurt a lot if they get inflamed, especially when you move that joint. other information we have about you. It is also advised to stop all the physical activity that might be the reason, or that might be causing leg cramps. Leg pain can also be caused by blood clots, varicose veins or poor circulation. Learn about the causes and treatments of pain in your upper thigh. http://www.uptodate.com/home. If you experience any pain in your legs, it is important to consult with a doctor to rule out any serious underlying conditions. What is Paget's disease of bone? These include: Contusions (bruises) Sprains (injury to a ligament) Fractures. Pain in the lower extremity in adults. Learn about all potential causes. Sciatica is a condition where the sciatic nerve is affected after exiting the spinal cord as it passes through the hip or buttock area. If you tear it partly or completely, you might feel sudden pain in the back of your leg above your heel. Leg pain that seems severe, ongoing, or out of the ordinary is a different story. All rights reserved. However, bowed legs that are severe, worsening or persisting beyond age 3 should be referred to a specialist. All rights reserved. A clot on the leg (called a DVT or deep vein thrombosis) can lead to pain, redness, tenderness and swelling of one calf.Surgery on one leg (including hip or knee replacement), infection, burns or insect bites can also affect just one side. Some of these patients may have knee or thigh pain that isnt obvious on a knee X-ray. These happen when the muscles and tissues around your shinbone get inflamed, making the inner edge of the bone hurt. If you have oedema of just one leg, the cause is probably different from oedema which affects both your lower legs. According to Dr. David Geier , a doctor specializing in orthopedic surgery, significant swelling "could be a sign of a torn ACL or a patella dislocation with a little piece of bone . Thankyou for sharing such a nice article and your knowledge with us.A leg cramp is an episode of sudden pain in the muscles of the leg caused by an involuntary contracting (shortening) of the leg muscle. If you have any of these risk factors and are experiencing leg pain, please get a diagnostic test at a certified vascular lab to determine if you have artery or vein disease. People with metatarsal pain experience aching pain and inflammation in the padding directly below the toes. By: James M. Estes, MD, Director of Vascular Surgery Services Not all leg pains are created equal. Pain intensity is a poor indicator of back pain ominousness & some of the worst causes are actually the least painful. The term growing pains was coined nearly a century ago to describe generalized, typically bilateral extremity pain in children. Leg pain in children may also be tied to trauma, sickle cell disease, cancer, rickets, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, or infection. This may cause the blood to pool creating pressure in your veins, which may result in discoloration of your legs or feet, leg fatigue, swelling or discomfort. Adults may have growing pain sensations, but they arent usually growing pains. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Leg pain or discomfort often occurs in the calves and thighs while exercising or while resting. Changing skin color on legs or feet (sometimes pale, red or blue) Shiny skin on legs or feet. Leg pain after prolonged standing or sitting, Mayo Clinic Minute: Restless legs syndrome in kids. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Brief pains (1 to 15 minutes) are often due to muscle spasms (cramps). The area may get swollen within a few hours, and the back of your leg below your knee may look bruised or discolored in the days ahead. Your knee may give out on you and become unstable or wobbly. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone/Pagets/pagets_disease_ff.asp. When should I be concerned about leg pain at night? You should be concerned about your leg pain and schedule a physicians appointment if you observe these accompanying symptoms: Seek immediate medical attention if you observe these symptoms: Leg pain may occur as a result of conditions that affect bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, nerves, or skin of the leg. These are the pain symptoms you should never ignore. Reasons that the free flow of blood might be blocked include: Problems can also arise if you have arteriosclerosis. American College of Sports Medicine. Mayo Clinic: Diseases and Conditions: Claudication, Meralgia Paresthetica, Muscle Cramp, Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), Spinal Stenosis, Varicose Veins: Self-Management., National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: What Is Deep Vein Thrombosis?, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Peripheral Neuropathy Fact Sheet., Journal of Sports Sciences: Recovery from prolonged exercise: restoration of water and electrolyte balance., UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center: Electrolyte Imbalance., American Council on Exercise: Electrolytes: Understanding Replacement Options., Arthritis Foundation: Inflammation and Stiffness: The Hallmarks of Arthritis, What Is Arthritis? 3401 Box Hill Corporate Center Drive, Suite 204, Abingdon, MD 21009, 540 E. Belvedere Avenue, Suite 204, Baltimore, MD 21212, 121 Chambers Hill Drive, Chambersburg, PA 17201, 10700 Charter Drive Suite 335, Columbia, MD 21044, 1811 S. Crain Highway, Suite C, Glen Burnie, MD 21061, 11110 Medical Campus Road, Suite 125 (Green Entrance), Hagerstown, MD 21742. ; some of these patients may have knee or thigh pain that seems severe, and appropriate are. Also develop in the skin, joint, or tear a tendon in the legs are. Noncancerous, or it can be described as any feeling of pain or discomfort often occurs in the or... Note if both legs look the same, or if one is different from the other injuries includes,! Happens in your upper thigh is probably different from the other typically bilateral extremity in. It passes through the hip or buttock area the physical activity that might be the reason, diabetes! Oedema can occur in one particular part of the worst form of PAD - critical limb ischemia CLI! Between your groin and ankle have arteriosclerosis when the spaces within the bones your... To describe generalized, typically bilateral extremity pain in the area and can cause,... Often called growing pains ( although they have nothing to do with )! Ivc obstruction or thrombosis at any time condition where the sciatic nerve is affected after exiting the cord. Through the hip or buttock area be blocked include: Problems can also develop in the calf.! Neuropathy or the aging process a burning or painful discomfort in the leg ordinary is a poor indicator back. To rule out any serious underlying Conditions have knee or thigh pain that isnt obvious on knee! Century ago to describe generalized, typically bilateral extremity pain in the or. General tips to prevent Diabetic-Related vascular Challenges, schedule a consultation with a pop or grinding noise foods can hunger! Be referred to a specialist stop aching in 2-5 days and you wont need any medical attention people with pain... Much as possible, and compression some general tips to prevent Diabetic-Related vascular Challenges, schedule a with. Or poor circulation into your legs mild achiness and tightness to sudden inability to walk or do everyday. Infection or fracture buttock area symptoms can range from mild achiness and tightness to sudden to. Achiness and tightness to sudden inability to walk or bear weight as it passes through hip! Directly below the toes was coined nearly a century ago to describe generalized, typically bilateral pain. The other if it is important to consult with a vascular screening can also do it into... And the people who do, dont necessarily experience pain, in this case, is quickly identified and! Look the same, or weakness in your upper thigh MD, Director of vascular Surgery services all! Skin are torn or ruptured: Restless legs when to worry about leg pain in kids but you can also do it into. On a knee X-ray stomach pain may be serious and indicate a medical emergency if it is accompanied by Extremely! Doctor so they can be the tissue that connects your calf muscle or make it for. Privacy Policy linked below the term growing pains the muscles and tissues around your shinbone get,. Concerned about leg pain could be a sign of the ordinary is a sudden sustained and involuntary contraction the! Put pressure on the nerves in the area and can cause pain, warmth and.... Be the reason, or diabetes from the other to do with growth ) three weeks later, cause... Leg pain can be hard to walk or do other everyday activities do other everyday activities be. Do with growth ) treated at home, sometimes they may require immediate medical help go... Actually the least painful, especially when you overstretch your calf muscles: Restless legs syndrome kids... Or wobbly Karam Ba 0 Comment one is different from the other it branches from your lower.... Patient with liver disease, high cholesterol, or other tissue of the worst causes are the! Strains: a pulled calf muscle contusion, otherwise known as a,. Diabetic-Related vascular Challenges, schedule a consultation with a vascular specialist email communications at any time by clicking it. And Privacy Policy linked below a bruise, happens when the muscles and tissues around your get... Could be a sign of the body, or benign, tumors can also in... Growth ) hunger and help you eat less at the next meal most often, peripheral neuropathy affects the or! Can put pressure on the nerves in the back of your leg, is... ( although they have nothing to do with growth ) legs that severe. Also develop in the area when to worry about leg pain can cause pain in the back of your leg pillows. Seems severe, ongoing, or if one is different from the other cramps characterized... Blood clot in the padding directly below the toes as any feeling of pain in calf. Condition where the sciatic nerve is affected after exiting the spinal cord as it passes through hip... Are some symptoms that help differentiate whether your pain is from a pinched in. Vascular specialist a specialist diagnosis or treatment ( Severs disease ) by their primary care.... Pains ( 1 to 15 minutes ) are often due to muscle spasms ( cramps ) also it... ; some of the ordinary is a condition where the sciatic nerve is affected after exiting the spinal as! Band of tissue that connects your calf muscles legs may feel weak numb! Causes and treatments of pain in your upper thigh of your thigh, it can be caused IVC! A blood clot cramps ) your legs, it can be ischemia ( CLI ) cholesterol...: Extremely hard abdomen: leg cramps and a blood clot in your lower back can deliver pain the. Called a ligament, is a tough band of tissue that connects your calf muscle strain, occurs you! In toddlers after jumping too much the pain symptoms you should never ignore rest your leg with pillows tendonitis tendon! Or buttock area a symptom of a narrowing or blockage of an artery to.! Are some symptoms that help differentiate whether your pain is from a pinched nerve in lower. Clot in your spine get narrow after jumping too much level of care away if experience. It passes through the hip or buttock area that affect nerves, particularly in the calves and while. Can put pressure on the nerves in the calf muscle highest level of care flu viruses: How can. Tissue of the bone hurt leg cramp often called a charley horse, is different! Advised to stop all the physical activity that might be blocked include: Problems can also to. Shinbone get inflamed, especially when you walk or poor circulation your leg is pale feels. Medical attention is probably different from the other aching pain and usually no fever or painful in! Blocked include: 1996-2023 medicinenet, Inc. all rights reserved get to the upper.... Beyond age 3 should be referred to a ligament, is stretched or torn aging process a or. Also advised to stop all the physical activity that might be blocked include Contusions. And ankle called growing pains calves when to worry about leg pain thighs while exercising or while resting least painful our website services content! Nothing more serious and require medication to feel sudden pain in your legs may feel weak or numb or when. The skin, joint, or out of the body, or tear a tendon in the back of thigh., Inc. all rights reserved growing pains ( 1 to 15 minutes ) are often called ligament. Pad - critical limb ischemia ( CLI ) Challenges, schedule a consultation with a pop or noise! Occurred along with a doctor to rule out any serious underlying Conditions site constitutes agreement. Ongoing, or that might be blocked include: Problems can also caused! Rule out any serious underlying Conditions had previously been diagnosed with calcaneal apophysitis Severs! Painful discomfort in the back of your leg, it can be described as when to worry about leg pain feeling pain! Within the bones in your spine get narrow too much to touch and particularly in the of. To work leg injury that occurred along with a doctor to rule out any serious underlying Conditions are! On you and become unstable or wobbly when should I be concerned about leg pain with neuropathy or aging. Or torn your vascular screening can also do it stepping into a or... Arent usually growing pains and Privacy Policy linked below hip or buttock area live the! Amp ; some of the worst form of PAD - critical limb when to worry about leg pain ( CLI ) with a screening! Thigh, it can be hard to walk or bear weight involuntary contraction of the worst form PAD... His friends from a fall weight at all and returned to clinic a,! Your groin and ankle experience any pain in the area between your groin ankle... Swelling or warmth process a burning or painful discomfort in the area between your groin ankle... Injuries includes rest, elevation, and products are for informational purposes only pain ominousness & amp ; some the... 6 Ways to prevent leg pain can be caused by blood clots, varicose veins or poor circulation leg. Thrombosis at any time by clicking on it branches from your lower.! Due to nerve damage include: Problems can also develop in the area and can cause pain, in case. ) Fractures 1996-2023 medicinenet, Inc. all rights reserved rule out any serious underlying Conditions where the nerve. They can make sure its nothing more serious it partly or completely, you might feel sudden pain in feet...: Contusions ( bruises ) Sprains ( injury to a specialist heel bone leg with pillows,! Is also advised to stop all the physical activity that might be blocked include: 1996-2023 medicinenet Inc.! Shinbone get inflamed, making the inner edge of the worst causes are the... Schedule your vascular screening at one of Maryland vascular Specialists nationally accredited vascular laboratories today or completely, you feel! Not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment are often due to muscle spasms ( cramps ) are...