Other Causes of Leg Pain

Leg pain can come from a variety of causes. Your healthcare professional has specific ways to discover if the cause is P.A.D. Other non-P.A.D. common causes of leg pain may include:

• A muscle cramp (also called a charley horse), frequently caused by the following:
  • 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
  • Muscle fatigue or strain from overuse, too much exercise, or holding a muscle in the same position for a long time
• Injuries caused by:
  • A torn or overstretched muscle (strain)
  • Hairline crack in the bone (stress fracture)
  • Inflamed tendon (tendinitis)
  • Shin splints—pain in the front of your leg related to overuse or repetitive pounding
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which occurs when a blood clot (thrombus) forms in the large, deep veins of the leg. This clot can interfere with blood flow. In some circumstances, a part of the clot may break off and travel through the bloodstream (embolize). The dislodged blood clot (embolus) can travel to the lungs, brain, or other organs, causing severe damage.
  
• Infection of the bone (osteomyelitis) or skin and soft tissue
  (cellulitis)
• 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)
• Varicose veins—swollen and twisted veins that are visible just under the surface of the skin
• Spinal stenosis—narrowing in the spine, causing pressure on the nerves and spine, with resulting numbness and pain
• Lumbar disease
• Osteoarthritis