By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    benefits of using protein powder to build muscles
    Protein Powder for Muscle Mass: Everything You Need to Know
    December 12, 2021
    changes brought on by blockchain in healthcare
    Technology In The Healthcare Industry
    March 28, 2022
    What Does Core Body Temperature Say About Health?
    August 17, 2022
    Latest News
    7 Most Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs: Which Should You Use?
    August 20, 2025
    Hospital Pest Control and the Fight Against Superbugs
    August 20, 2025
    Hygiene Beyond The Clinic: Attention To Overlooked Non-Clinical Spaces
    August 13, 2025
    5 Steps to a Promising Career as a Healthcare Administrator
    August 3, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Do Electronic Health Records Reduce Malpractice Claims?
    February 2, 2013
    A Humble Opinion: Book Review
    May 3, 2015
    medicaid
    Paul Krugman: Stop Being an Embarrassment to the Profession
    March 7, 2013
    Latest News
    How Social Security Disability Shapes Access to Care and Everyday Health
    August 22, 2025
    How a DUI Lawyer Can Help When Your Future Health Feels Uncertain
    August 22, 2025
    How One Fall Can Lead to a Long Road of Medical Complications
    August 22, 2025
    How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
    July 17, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Common Causes of Leg Pain that Might be Causing You Problems
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Wellness > Common Causes of Leg Pain that Might be Causing You Problems
Wellness

Common Causes of Leg Pain that Might be Causing You Problems

Rehan Ijaz
Rehan Ijaz
Share
7 Min Read
SHARE

  Leg pain might not get talked about as much as back pain, but it can certainly cause just as much havoc on a person?s lifestyle and income, and is experienced by many thousands of people around the country each year. If you?re struggling with acute or chronic pain in your lower limbs that isn?t from simply spending longer than usual exercising, it?s important to understand what some of the most common causes might be so that you can address them. Read on for the lowdown today.

Contents
  • Problems with Blood Vessels
  • Sciatica and Other Back-Related Issues
  • Arthritis

Problems with Blood Vessels

Blood vessel issues such as deep vein thrombosis or peripheral arterial disease (PAD) are two factors which can cause leg pain. Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT as it is often called, happens when you get a blood clot in a deep vein. It typically occurs after an extended period of inactivity, such as when you have been bedridden with illness or stuck on a plane or in a car for a long trip without breaks to move about. DVT can cause major leg pain because it can make it tough for the limb to return blood back to your heart, and a clot can develop within the vein if the movement of the blood slows or stops. Be aware that if part of the clot breaks off and travels to your lungs, it can lead to a pulmonary embolism. This refers to blockage of blood flow to the lungs, and can be very serious and even fatal. Signs to look out for include one leg (because it generally only happens in a single limb at once) swelling up and turning a bluish color. As well, you?ll typically find that the pain builds up gradually over a few hours. Peripheral arterial disease, on the other hand, tends to cause pain when people are exercising or otherwise moving about. With PAD, the arteries that deliver blood to your limbs narrow, so when you?re active and your muscles need more blood, the decreased blood supply to your legs from this narrowing triggers pain (called intermittent claudication). While the pain typically goes away once you stop moving, it is important to get checked out. The arterial disease tends to be caused by the buildup of fatty deposits or plague, and can be a warning sign of other potential health problems. People who smoke, have high blood pressure or cholesterol levels and/or are obese are more likely to develop PAD.

Sciatica and Other Back-Related Issues

While you might not realize it, often leg pain occurs because of issues happening higher up in your body, in your back. For example, if you have spinal stenosis, whereby the spinal canal narrows gradually over time and puts pressures on the nerves, this can cause high levels of pain all the way down into your legs. Spinal stenosis can be brought on by conditions such as scoliosis or arthritis, or even a spinal injury. It is most common in people 50 years of age and over. Spinal stenosis, and other back problems (including muscle spasms and general injuries), can also cause sciatica. This is the name for a very painful condition in which the sciatic nerve is inflamed, and pain radiates from the lower back down to the leg and even to your feet and toes. It usually occurs on one side of the body, and can be tough to diagnose. It can build up gradually over time to the point where the pain becomes acute, or it can also suddenly come on. While sciatica can go away on its own sometimes, it is best to book an appointment with your doctor and/or seek pinched nerve treatment to help diagnose and treat the condition. If you find you end up with leg pain that?s also accompanied by loss of bladder or bowel control, and/or numbness, it is important to head to the hospital straight away. This is because you could potentially have a rare disorder known as cauda equina syndrome (CES), a condition that puts extreme pressure on the nerves at the end of the spinal cord and which can cause them to swell. Without seeking treatment quickly (surgical intervention is usually required), sufferers can develop problems such as difficulty walking, impaired bladder and/or bowel control, permanent paralysis, and other neurological and physical effects.

Arthritis

Arthritis is a joint disease, so many people assume that pain related to the condition will only be felt in the joints. However, this is not always the case. In fact, when joints are under stress from arthritis and pain develops, the muscles around those joints can work hard to try to protect them. This can lead these muscles to go into spasms, and for secondary muscle pain to develop. If you know you have osteoarthritis (the most common form of arthritis, where the cartilage in your joints breaks down), or rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune disease that leaves the lining of the joints attacked) in your knees, ankles or feet, any pain you feel in your legs could be to blame. You might want to chat to your practitioner about pain and inflammation-relieving medications to help you cope as a result.

More Read

The 10 Best Fitness Apps To Make You Love Working Out
Live A Better & Healthier Life By Solving Your DNA Puzzle!
Omega-3s Are Way More Important Than You Thought—Here’s Why
How Bad Breathing Habits Can Affect Your Health
Get Onboard With These Top Health Trends In 2019
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

engineer fitting prosthetic arm
How Social Security Disability Shapes Access to Care and Everyday Health
Health care
August 20, 2025
a woman explaining the document
How a DUI Lawyer Can Help When Your Future Health Feels Uncertain
Public Health
August 20, 2025
physiotherapist at work
How One Fall Can Lead to a Long Road of Medical Complications
Health care
August 20, 2025
Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs
7 Most Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs: Which Should You Use?
Health News
August 20, 2025

You Might also Like

Shoulder Brace
Wellness

The Impact of a Shoulder Brace on Health and Well-being

December 28, 2023
fitness and health apps
eHealthMobile HealthWellness

Top 10 Fitness Apps to Stay Fit

June 14, 2013
Wellness

Culture Shock vs. Depression In Childcare Workers

October 6, 2018

The Latest on Burnout in Healthcare: What You Can Do

January 28, 2016
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?