In addition to injuries and muscle strain, many medical conditions can trigger leg pain and aching. Chronic arthritic conditions, infections and blood vessel abnormalities are common causes of leg pain. Diagnosis of the cause of leg pain begins with a thorough physical examination and consideration of the onset and progression of symptoms. Blood tests, X-rays and imaging studies may be included in the diagnostic workup. Determining the cause of leg pain leads to appropriate medical management to minimize or alleviate this potentially disabling symptom.
Arthritis
The term arthritis describes a group of conditions that cause joint inflammation and associated pain. The Arthritis Foundation reports that osteoarthritis remains the most common arthritic disorder among Americans, with an estimated 27 million women and men affected. The hip and knee joints are commonly involved with osteoarthritis. Symptoms include aching pain, joint stiffness, swelling, limited joint movement and joint deformities. Inflammation and progressive damage to the joint cartilage due to aging, overuse and past injuries underlie the symptoms of osteoarthritis. Excess body weight contributes to the development and worsening of osteoarthritis of the hips and knees due to increased pressure on these weight-bearing joints. Rheumatoid arthritis and other arthritic conditions may also cause aching pain in the leg joints.
Osteomyelitis
Infection in the leg bones, termed osteomyelitis, may cause aching and pain in the affected limb. Brigham and Women's Hospital notes that osteomyelitis of the leg bones occurs more frequently in infants and children than in adults. Bloodstream infections that seed the bone with infectious organisms and open-leg trauma that provides a direct route of entry into the bone are common causes of osteomyelitis. Characteristic symptoms of osteomyelitis of the leg include bone pain, skin redness and warmth over the affected bone, stiffness, difficulty bearing weight, limping and fever. Antibiotics, pain medication and limited movement of the affected limb during healing serve as the mainstays of osteomyelitis treatment.
Thrombophlebitis
Inflammation of a vein due to the presence of a blood clot is termed thrombophlebitis, a disorder that commonly affects the legs. Superficial thrombophlebitis involves veins near the skin surface. Deep vein thrombosis describes phlebitis of the deep veins. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, both types of thrombophlebitis may cause leg pain and swelling. Deep vein thrombosis poses a risk for pulmonary embolism, caused by part of the deep vein clot breaking off and blocking the blood vessels of the lungs. Blood clots in this location are potentially life-threatening. Superficial blood clots do not pose a risk for pulmonary embolism. Deep vein thrombosis of the leg may lead to chronic pain and swelling in the affected limb.
