Causes of painful legs

Introduction

Leg pain can be caused by a traumatic injury or it may be triggered by numerous conditions that affect the skin, tendons, joints, ligaments, muscles, bones, blood vessels, and nerves. Leg pain sometimes can be caused by inflammatory conditions and it can also be associated with backailments.

Causes

The most obvious causes of leg pain usually have something to do with traumas such as twisting and falls which can cause significant damage to the bones, joints and muscles. Sometimes overuse injuries can also be the cause of pain. Bone fractures cause the integrity of the bone to become compromised and severe pain is usually present.

Tibial stress syndrome caused by jumping, running or dancing can also be one of the common causes of leg pain. Ligament sprains and muscle or tendon strains can also be the caused of leg pain, usually characterized by inflammation and swelling. The pain can also be associated with bleeding which sometimes occurs as a cause of an injury. Sometimes the compartment syndrome occurs when excessive swelling increases thepressure.

Non-traumatic leg pain causes are way too numerous and it is impossible to classify them all here. Pain in only one leg characterizes a local problem. One of the most common cases is the peripheral artery disease in which a person suffers a decreased arterial blood supply to the particular leg. The disease can affect both legs.

Blood clots can sometimes obstruct the arteries completely and cause severe pain. Blood clotting can be caused by numerous illnesses. Sometimes a low back pain can radiate down to the legs. Peripheral neuropathies which involve nerve inflammation can also be the cause of leg pain. Numerous chronic illnesses like cancer, diabetes or alcoholism can also sometimes lead to nerve pain in both legs. Skin inflammation can cause leg pain, as well. Joint pain may also spread to the entire leg and it may be affiliated with rheumatic conditions.

Gout and numerous systematic illnesses can also be the cause of joint inflammations. Muscle pain can be caused by overuse and it sometimes can be associated with certain types of infections. Muscle cramps can also cause severe pain and quite often they can be accompanied by muscle spasms. Muscle injuries can also be among the common causes of leg pain. Hamstring injuries are also worth mentioning when it comes to leg pain. Other causes of leg pain may include skin abnormalities and diabetes.