Localized pain in the leg includes any type of pain or discomfort from the hips to the heels. Most people suffer from foot pain quite often.
A person’s legs are made up of joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves and blood vessels. In any case, injuries, infections, or other conditions may occur that may cause leg pain.
Lower limb pain can be short-lived or constant and can affect the entire leg or just a certain area. The sensation of pain is most often described as a sting, numbness or burning sensation – paresthesia. Foot pain can be simply irritating and uncomfortable or can restrict a person’s ability to move (it will be difficult to let the weight of the body rest on the affected foot).
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Causes of pain in the leg
The causes of lower limb pain can range from accidental trauma to nerve damage. In the absence of injury or other symptoms, leg pain may be the result of muscle cramps, and when accompanied by other symptoms, such as back pain, may be the result of spinal disorders.
Leg pain can also be a symptom of deep vein thrombosis, which is a serious condition that can be life-threatening. Blood clots can come off and trigger a pulmonary embolism, a heart attack or even a stroke.
Consult a doctor urgently if you experience leg pain after exercise or low intensity exercise, if there are swelling, redness and a feeling of warmth in the calf.
The pain in the leg that comes from the lumbar area and goes down to the buttocks, accompanied by loss of control over the bladder or the act of defecation, are characteristic manifestations of nerve damage.
This rather serious situation should be evaluated as soon as possible by a specialist. Regardless of the situation, if your foot pain persists or worries you, you should contact your doctor.
Infectious diseases, circulatory problems and various neurological diseases can affect the foot. However, most of the time, the foot hurts due to excessive stress, various types of damage and aging. Usually, most ailments are not serious and can be prevented, as long as self-care and lifestyle changes are taken.
For example, there will be breaks between periods of effort and no extreme sports without proper protection.
Symptoms of pain in the leg
The symptoms that can accompany foot pain differ, depending on the type of disease or condition that triggers it. If a person has a fever, foot pain could be the cause of an infection or inflammation. If the foot pain is caused by arthritis, stiffness may occur and a person’s ability to make certain movements will be quite low.
Pain in the lower limbs may be associated with other symptoms, including:
- fatigue;
- fever;
- joint pain;
- restricting fairly simple movements;
- swelling of the skin;
- Varicose veins.
In some cases, foot pain may indicate a serious illness. An emergency medical consultation will be requested in any of the following situations:
- cold and pale skin of the foot;
- difficulty breathing;
- high fever (over 39 degrees Celsius);
- inability to walk or lose body weight;
- pain on exertion or easy walking;
- pale or blue skin (cyanosis);
- cracking at the moment of the foot injury;
- progressive state of weakness and numbness of the foot accompanied by loss of control of the bladder and defecation;
- red stripes;
- the legs are warm, red and inflamed;
- Inflammation and pain when touching the feet and toes, and local injuries are difficult to heal.
Complications
Complications depend on the type of disease or condition underlying the foot pain. In case of excessive use, it is necessary to rest, apply ice and inflammatory drugs released without a prescription.
Untreated pain due to more serious conditions, such as deep vein thrombosis or peripheral artery disease, can lead to permanent damage and can have secondary complications that could endanger a person’s life.
One of the most serious consequences of leg pain due to deep vein thrombosis, peripheral artery disease and spinal stenosis include:
- loss of part of the leg (amputation);
- permanent damage to some nerves;
- pulmonary embolism;
- stroke.