Why Do My Legs Hurt?

Listed below are different reasons why your legs may hurt

There are many different diagnoses associated with your leg pain. Some diagnoses are common everyday occurrences, and some include those common everyday occurrences as symptoms, but can be very serious and require medical attention.

Many times, people ignore leg pain or think that leg pain is common for their age and don’t think anything about it. If your body is aching or you have pain that is your body’s way of telling you something is wrong.

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

Perhaps one of the more serious conditions associated with leg pain is Peripheral Arterial Disease.

Peripheral Arterial Disease is a common circulatory problem caused by atherosclerosis or fatty deposits that build up on your artery walls and reduce blood flow to your legs or arms. Pain in your legs and other symptoms develop when your limbs are not able to get the blood needed to supply your muscles with oxygen. Peripheral Artery Disease is serious because it can lead to a heart attack, stroke, infections within the limbs, and possibly amputation.

Symptoms:

• Leg Cramps
• Legs feel weak
• Legs feel numb
• Legs feel cold
• Legs are an odd color
• Legs feel tight or tingly
• Sores on toes, feet, legs that will not heal

Risk Factors that increase your risk of developing Peripheral Arterial Disease:

• 50 years old or older
• History of diabetes
• History of high blood pressure or hypertension
• History of high cholesterol
• History of smoking

What to do:

If you are experiencing these symptoms you should seek the advice of a medical professional either your primary care doctor or a specialist like Dr. Jonathan Ellichman. Dr. Ellichman’s office will schedule a quick and non-invasive diagnosis consultation to determine if you have Peripheral Artery Disease and what treatments are available to you.

Click here to setup your appointment or call Dr. Ellichman’s office today (901) 259-2718.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Deep Vein Thrombosis is a blood clot in a vein, usually in your leg. Deep Vein Thrombosis is serious because if the clot breaks off it can then travel to your lungs and create serious issues.

SYMPTOMS:

• Leg Pain
• Swelling
• Warm Leg
• Redness

RISK FACTORS THAT INCREASE YOUR RISK OF DEVELOPING DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS:

• People who are experiencing the following or have a history of the following
• 60 years old or older
• Pregnant
• Overweight
• Smoking
• Heart Failure
• Inflammatory Bowl Disease
• Family History of Deep Vein Thrombosis
• Sitting for long periods of time

WHAT TO DO:

If you are experiencing these symptoms you should seek the advice of a medical professional either your primary care doctor or a specialist like Dr. Jonathan Ellichman. Dr. Ellichman’s office will schedule a quick and non-invasive diagnosis consultation to determine if you have Deep Vein Thrombosis and what treatments are available to you.

Click here to set up your appointment or call Dr. Ellichman’s office today (901) 259-2718.

Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are enlarged, swollen, and twisting veins that appear blue or dark purple.

SYMPTOMS:

• Visible blue or dark purple veins on legs
• Legs feel heavy
• Legs burn
• Legs throb
• Legs cramp

RISK FACTORS THAT INCREASE YOUR RISK OF DEVELOPING VARICOSE VEINS:

• Age – Risk increases with age
• Females are more likely to develop varicose veins
• Pregnancy
• Family History
• Obesity
• Standing or sitting for long periods of time

WHAT TO DO:

Losing weight, exercising and wearing compression socks may help varicose veins. Many times, varicose veins do not pose a threat other than being considered unsightly, but as with all circulatory issues complications can occur.

If you are concerned you should seek the advice of a medical professional, either your primary care doctor or a specialist like Dr. Jonathan Ellichman. Dr. Ellichman’s office will schedule a quick and non-invasive diagnosis consultation to determine what treatments are available to you.

Click here to set up your appointment or call Dr. Ellichman’s office today (901) 259-2718.

Spinal Stenosis

Spinal Stenosis happens when the spaces between the bones in your spine get narrow putting pressure on the nerves.

SYMPTOMS:

• Pain in legs
• Tingling in legs
• Numbness in legs
• Weakness in legs

RISK FACTORS THAT INCREASE YOUR RISK OF DEVELOPING SPINAL STENOSIS:

Age – 50 years old or older

WHAT TO DO:

Spinal stenosis is a serious condition that can lead to permanent nerve damage including paralysis and death. If you think you have spinal stenosis you should seek medical advice by seeing your primary care physician or a specialist such as Semmes-Murphy or Campbell Clinic.

Sciatica

Sciatica is a pinched nerve in your lower spine that can cause leg pain.

SYMPTOMS:

Leg pain described as a bad cramp or strong shooting pain that makes it hard to sit.

RISK FACTORS THAT INCREASE YOUR RISK OF SCIATICA:

• Age – as people age their risk increases
• Obesity
• Occupation – a job that requires twisting the back, back stress to do lifting or sitting for long periods of time
• Diabetes

WHAT TO DO:

If you think you have Sciatica you should seek medical advice from your primary care physician or a spine specialist such as Semmes-Murphy or Campbell Clinic.

Arthritis

Arthritis is a common condition that affects joints.

SYMPTOMS:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Stiffness

RISK FACTORS THAT INCREASE YOUR RISK OF ARTHRITIS:

• Family History
• Age – risk increases with age
• Females are more likely to get Arthritis
• Previous join injuries
• Obesity

WHAT TO DO:

If you think you have arthritis you should seek medical advice from your primary care physician.

Pulled Muscle

Muscles get pulled when they are stretched too far.

SYMPTOMS:

• Intense pain especially right after the injury occurs
• Area is tender to the touch

WHAT TO DO:

If you think you have a pulled muscle it is best to treat it with ice several times a day. Over the counter pain relievers can help ease the pain temporarily. If the pain does not get better after five days you should seek medical advice from your primary care physician.

Sprain

A sprain happens when you stretch or tear a ligament. Ligaments connect bone to bone.

SYMPTOMS:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Unable to put weight on it

WHAT TO DO:

If you think you have a sprain you should apply ice to the area serval times per day, rest the affected leg and elevate it when possible. You should also seek medical advice and possibly an x-ray to check for broken bones.

Muscle Cramps

Muscle cramps happen when one or more of your leg muscles suddenly constricts and gets tight. This happens to adults more as they age and instances can increase in hot weather if you don’t drink enough water.

SYMPTOMS:

• Sharp Pain
• Muscle constricts

WHAT TO DO:

Immediate relief may be achieved by walking. Drinking more water can help alleviate future cramping issues. If you have cramps often you should seek the medical advice of your primary care physician. Cramps can be a sign of Peripheral Arterial Disease. If you are over 50 years old and have cramps often you may also want to see a specialist like Dr. Jonathan Ellichman. Dr. Ellichman’s office will schedule a quick and non-invasive diagnosis consultation to determine if you have more serious issues causing your leg cramps and what treatments are available to you.

Click here to call setup your appointment or call Dr. Ellichman’s office today (901) 259-2718.

Shin Splints

Shin splints happen when muscles and tissues around your shin bone get inflamed. Shin splints are common in people that run a lot.

SYMPTOMS:

Pain in your shins

WHAT TO DO:

If you think you have shin splints apply ice to the area serval times per day and rest the affected leg when possible. If the pain persists for over 14 days, you should seek medical advice from your primary care physician.

Tendinitis

Tendinitis happens when tendons, the flexible cords that connect muscles to bones, become inflamed.

SYMPTOMS:

Pain in the hip, knee, or ankle especially when moving the affected joint.

WHAT TO DO:

If you think you have a sprain you should apply ice to the area serval times per day, rest the affected leg and elevate it when possible. You should also seek medical advice and possibly an x-ray to check for broken bones.

Meralgia Paresthetica

Meralgia Paresthetica is a nerve problem that causes pain, burning sensation, numbing or tingling in the upper thigh.

SYMPTOMS:

• Pain in upper thigh
• Burning Sensation in upper thigh
• Numbing in upper thigh
• Tingling in upper thigh

RISK FACTORS THAT INCREASE YOUR RISK MERALGIA PARESTHETICA:

• Pregnancy
• Overweight
• Diabetes
• Tight Clothes
• Scar Tissue in the groin area

WHAT TO DO:

If you are having pain, you should seek medical advice. Many times, over the counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can provide relief.