Pain in the leg can leave a patient unable to complete daily tasks and dependent upon others. The first step to healing leg pain is finding the source of the pain. Pain that makes it impossible to lift your leg could be radiating from other areas of your body. An underlying condition could also be the source of your pain so seek medical attention if the pain prohibits you from participating in daily activities.
Leg Cramps
Your legs may be too painful to climb steps due to muscle cramps, which are commonly caused by dehydration or low electrolytes. Certain medications that deplete your body of fluid or minerals can be the cause of muscle cramps. Statins, which are prescribed to lower cholesterol, can cause muscle injury. According to MedlinePlus, you may experience leg cramps due to fatigue, overuse, muscle strains or holding a muscle in the same position for too long. Elevate the afflicted leg and avoid using it as much as possible. Apply ice for no more than 15 minutes at a time, at least four times per day. Muscle cramps may benefit from massage and over-the-counter pain medicine.
Herniated Disk
You may not be able to lift your leg high enough to climb a stair due to pain from a herniated disk. The Mayo Clinic reports that this condition occurs when one of the disks in your back, which acts as a cushion between the vertebrae, develops a problem. A spinal disk is soft in the middle and the outside is hard. When the soft center seeps out through the hard exterior, the disk is referred to as herniated. If this occurs, nearby nerves can be irritated, which can lead to pain and numbness in an arm or leg. Surgical intervention is unnecessary for most herniated disks but rest and therapy may be recommended.
Shinsplints
If you are unable to climb steps due to pain behind your shinbone, or tibia, you may be experiencing shinsplints. The medical term for shinsplints is medial tibial stress syndrome and the condition occurs due to too much force being placed on your shinbone and connective tissues during activity. According to the Mayo Clinic, runners commonly experience this type of injury due to sudden stops and starts. Other activities an athlete participates in that makes her prone to shinsplints include tennis, basketball or soccer. This condition can usually be treated with elevation, rest and application of ice. Shinsplints can be prevented from recurring with proper footwear and a modified exercise regimen.
Hamstring Injury
The hamstrings are a group of muscles that run along the back of your thigh and straining or pulling one or more of these muscles comprises a hamstring injury. When hamstring muscles stretch beyond their limit during physical activity, the muscles are susceptible to partial or complete tears, which can make climbing steps too painful to accomplish. According to the Mayo Clinic, an enthusiast playing soccer, basketball, tennis or football is prone to hamstring injuries due to required sprinting or running. Recovery from the typical pain and inflammation usually can be achieved with rest, over-the-counter pain medication and ice at home. But surgery may be needed for a torn hamstring muscle.
