Why does one leg hurt more than the other?
Some causes of sudden leg weakness include stroke (due to a decrease in oxygen reaching parts of the brain), spinal cord damage, or a pinched nerve coming out of the spinal cord. Why is my leg weakness worse in one leg? When leg weakness is worse in one leg compared to the other it is asymmetric.
What does it mean when one leg is weaker than the other?
Asymmetric: This means one leg feels weaker than the other. Gradual (chronic): This means the weakness got worse over time. Sudden-onset (acute): If you noticed sudden weakness in one or both of your legs, this could be a medical emergency and you should seek immediate medical attention.
How to tell if you have a blood clot in your leg?
According to the NHS, symptoms of a blood clot in the leg are: 1 Throbbing or cramping pain in one leg (rarely both legs), usually in the calf or thigh 2 Swelling in one leg (rarely both legs) 3 Warm skin around the painful area 4 Red or darkened skin around the painful area 5 Swollen veins that are hard or sore when you touch them More …
What causes a lump on the side of your leg?
They may grow rapidly or may not change in size. Leg lumps due to local infectious causes may appear as boils, abscesses, or swollen areas. Traumatic causes of lumps range from bug bites to severe injuries that can produce a hematoma (collection of blood in body tissues).
Why do I have dark spots on my lower leg?
Most skin discolorations in the lower leg are caused by hemosiderin staining. This happens when red blood cells are broken down and the hemoglobin releases iron. The excess iron is then stored as hemosiderin in the tissues under your skin. This causes the visible dark spots that sometimes extend from your lower leg down to your ankles.
What causes leg pain according to Mayo Clinic?
By Mayo Clinic Staff. Most leg pain results from wear and tear, overuse, or injuries in joints or bones or in muscles, ligaments, tendons or other soft tissues. Some types of leg pain can be traced to problems in your lower spine. Leg pain can also be caused by blood clots, varicose veins or poor circulation. Some common causes of leg pain include:
How to know if you have red bumps on your legs?
Seek urgent medical attention if you have the following symptoms: 1 trouble breathing or swallowing. 2 coughing. 3 wheezing. 4 dizziness. 5 abdominal pain or vomiting. 6 (more items)
In the upper leg, the pain from ischemic nerves can come on suddenly and be felt in just one leg. In the lower legs and feet, where it is more common, the symptoms are typically numbness or tingling, and are usually felt about equally in both legs. The numbness often dulls painful sensations, so sores on the feet go unnoticed and get worse.
What causes numbness and pain in lower legs?
Diabetic neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes. Nerves can be damaged from high blood sugar levels. It can cause pain in both of your legs along with numbness and less sensation in the lower legs. Talk to your doctor about medications to control the pain and help manage your blood sugar levels.
Can a blood clot in the leg cause pain?
This is a blood clot in a vein, usually in your thigh or lower leg. It doesn’t always cause symptoms, but you might have pain, swelling in your leg, and it might be warm and red. Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these.
What causes pain in the lower leg after a fall?
While muscle strains usually cause mild soreness, you may also experience cramping or a sharp, tearing sensation, especially if the strain is sudden and/or severe. In addition to pain, swelling and bruising may also occur over the affected muscle. Muscle strains may occur as a result of sudden trauma, like a fall or a blow to the muscle.
What causes pain on one side of the leg?
They bring movement and sensation to your hips, buttocks and legs. Sciatica rears its ugly head when something compresses the nerve. That pinch results in pain (and sometimes weakness) up and down the leg, usually just on one side.
While muscle strains usually cause mild soreness, you may also experience cramping or a sharp, tearing sensation, especially if the strain is sudden and/or severe. In addition to pain, swelling and bruising may also occur over the affected muscle. Muscle strains may occur as a result of sudden trauma, like a fall or a blow to the muscle.
What causes severe lower back and upper leg pain?
Spinal stenosis causes narrowing in the spine. The narrowing puts pressure on nerves and the spinal cord and can cause pain. Top Symptoms: lower back pain, back pain that shoots down the leg, back pain that shoots to the butt, difficulty walking, thigh pain
What causes pain in the lower leg after bed rest?
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein located deep inside the body. A blood clot is a clump of blood that’s in a solid state. DVTs typically form in the lower leg after long periods of bed rest, causing swelling and cramping pain. Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints.
Is it okay to walk when your legs hurt?
Walking hurts, so a “just do it” attitude about exercise isn’t helpful. But researchers have found that tightly structured, supervised exercise programs can help people increase the amount they can walk before the pain kicks in.
How to tell if you have leg pain?
Leg pain can affect just a small area of the leg, or it can cover a wide area or even the whole leg. The pain can be dull or sharp, or it might be burning, tingly or numb. You might also have pain in your buttock, lower back or spine, or foot. Make a note if both legs look the same, or if one is different from the other.
What causes pain in right leg from hip to ankle?
Pain that runs down your right leg from hip to ankle may be caused by poor posture. If your spine and legs are not aligned properly, it can put pressure on the lower extremities. This can be due to poor habits in sitting, standing, or sleeping. Remedies to Help: Keep your head straight up. Change positions often.
Why do I have sharp pain in my right leg?
Leg cramps occur when your muscles in your legs go into spasms and contract on their own. This may be due to overexertion, low electrolytes (calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium), or a problem in your lower back. They are most common at night, but can also occur after exercise. They usually go away with electrolyte replacement and rest.
What causes pain in lower leg when walking?
Claudication from lower-leg peripheral artery disease —when there is reduced blood flow in the arteries of the lower legs —can cause pain in the buttock, hip, thigh, calf, and/or foot upon walking a certain distance. 9 The pain resolves with rest within 10 minutes.
When to worry about calf or buttock pain?
That means taking recurring leg pain seriously, especially if you have the risk factors for PAD and heart disease. “If you get calf, buttock, or leg pain when you walk, requiring you to stop and rest, ask yourself: ‘What would I do if this was chest pain?’
What should I do if I have pain in my legs?
Flat feet, rigid arches, or the wrong shoes can lead to them, too. The best treatment is to rest your legs, put cold packs on them for 20 minutes several times a day, and take pain relievers if you need them. But see your doctor so she can make sure it’s nothing more serious.
In the upper leg, the pain from ischemic nerves can come on suddenly and be felt in just one leg. In the lower legs and feet, where it is more common, the symptoms are typically numbness or tingling, and are usually felt about equally in both legs. The numbness often dulls painful sensations, so sores on the feet go unnoticed and get worse.
Leg pain can be constant or intermittent, develop suddenly or gradually, and affect your entire leg or a localized area, such as your shin or your knee. It can take a number of forms — stabbing, sharp, dull, aching or tingling. Some leg pain is simply annoying, but more-severe leg pain can affect your ability to walk or…
Why does my leg hurt so bad at night?
Causes for Leg Pain at Night. There are many potential reasons for leg pain at night. Knowing the reason is important. Obviously, treatment depends on the cause. The following are some of the causes for leg pain at night: 1. Artery blockages are a serious reason for leg pain at night.
That means taking recurring leg pain seriously, especially if you have the risk factors for PAD and heart disease. “If you get calf, buttock, or leg pain when you walk, requiring you to stop and rest, ask yourself: ‘What would I do if this was chest pain?’
It can occur at night, while lying down, or while running or exercising, depending upon the cause. Depending on the cause, leg pain can occur in one leg only or in both legs. Typically, the leg pain is a result of tissue inflammation that is caused by injury or disease.
Why does my leg hurt when I walk at night?
Calf pain when walking is very different than calf pain at night in bed. In other words, leg pain at night has a very different list of causes than leg pain when walking. For instance, most artery blockages will not result in leg pain at night unless the blockages are very advanced and severe.
Why do I have cramps in my legs?
Leg Muscle Pain from Medications Many medications can cause muscle cramps. Statins and leg pain are a well known combination. But if the pain started after changing a medication or a dose, it is worthwhile looking into. 4. Masses and Tumors
What happens if you ignore the pain in your legs?
Ignoring the sudden, sharp, or persistent pain you feel in your legs may lead to serious medical issues including chronic fatigue, amputation, stroke, or death. This type of pain should be addressed immediately, as part of successful treatment depends on early detection.
Why do my legs hurt constantly?
Sitting for long periods of time, lack of exercise, being overweight and smoking can all contribute to aching legs. Medical conditions associated with aching legs include diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and pregnancy.
What causes excruciating pain in the legs?
Depending on the cause, leg pain can occur in one leg only or in both legs. Typically, the leg pain is a result of tissue inflammation that is caused by injury or disease. Either injury or chronic disease can cause inflammation to any of the tissues of the leg and lead to leg pain.
What to do when your leg hurt?
You can treat leg pain at home by resting your leg as much as possible, taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, to help ease discomfort as your leg heals, and applying ice to legs. See your doctor if you’re experiencing severe or persistent leg pain.
Why do my legs hurt when im tired?
Some common causes of tired aching legs include: If you are taking exercise that is perhaps slightly more intense than you are used to, you can create a build-up of lactic acid in your muscles. This causes inflammation and slight cramps. This is uncomfortable but is temporary and usually, wears off within a day or so.
What should I do if I have pain in my lower leg?
If you have pain in the lower part of your leg, try pointing and straightening your toes when sitting or standing. If you have pain in the upper part of your leg, try to bend over and touch your toes. You can do this while sitting on the ground or standing up.
What are the signs and symptoms of leg pain?
Depending on the cause of the pain, other symptoms, like. weakness, numbness, throbbing, cramps, aching, or. a tingling sensation, may accompany leg pain.
What causes numbness and pain in the legs?
Infection in the bone or tissues of the leg can cause swelling, redness, or pain in the affected area. Nerve damage in the leg may cause numbness, pain, or tingling. It often occurs in the feet and lower part of the legs as a result of diabetes.
Why do I have pain in my legs?
Most leg pain results from wear and tear, overuse, or injuries in joints or bones or in muscles, ligaments, tendons or other soft tissues. Some types of leg pain can be traced to problems in your lower spine.
What to do if you have pain in your leg?
Pain may begin in your back and hip, then later extend down into your leg. Rest is often the cure for other pains of the leg, but not this one. It doesn’t help sciatica. Treatment may involve resting for a few days, along with taking anti-inflammatories and pain medications. Cold and heat can help with some symptoms.
What causes pain and numbness in the legs?
Joint and nerve pain and muscle cramps in the legs are a common symptom of age, especially for people over 50. Poor circulation, blood clots, and varicose veins can also cause leg pain and cramping. Leg pain and numbness can be experienced in many forms-some patients describe the pain as aching, searing, throbbing, or burning,…
What are the symptoms of leg muscle pain?
Sometimes the symptoms can be subtle. Also, it will not always be immediately apparent that they are related to the leg muscle pain. Examples of such symptoms include rash, fever, weight loss, nigh sweats, and neurological symptoms.
What causes shooting pain in the upper leg?
A deep, shooting pain in the upper leg can also be caused by deep vein thrombosis, spinal stenosis, or a thigh bone infection. Read on for more information on causes and treatment options.
What causes pain in the lower left leg?
Some types of leg pain can be traced to problems in your lower spine. Leg pain can also be caused by blood clots, varicose veins or poor circulation. Some common causes of leg pain include: Achilles tendinitis. Achilles tendon rupture. ACL injury (tearing of the anterior cruciate ligament in your knee)
Why does my leg hurt really bad?
Injuries, falls, and twisted muscles and bones are the most common cause of leg ache. This is what we call traumatic cause. If you ignore the pain and try to continue using the injured area the pain will become worse and damage to the bones and surrounding tissues may increase.
What is the best remedy for leg muscle pain?
Treatment for leg pain depends on the underlying cause. Treatment for leg pain may include rest, cold compresses, elevation, crutches, an elastic wrap, a splint or cast, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications for pain, and surgery.
How do you treat leg pain?
You can treat leg pain at home by resting your leg as much as possible, taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, to help ease discomfort as your leg heals, and applying ice to legs.
Can leg nerve pain go away without treatment?
The treatment for leg pain depends on its cause. In some cases, the pain goes away without professional treatment. For example, the best way to treat a leg cramp is to stretch the muscle and hold the stretch until the symptoms ease. In other cases, a doctor may prescribe medications to reduce inflammation and treat the pain.
What are the symptoms of lower back and leg pain?
Other symptoms associated with back and leg pain include: 1 burning sensations 2 tingling 3 being sore to the touch 4 limited mobility
What are the symptoms of weakness in the legs?
Symptoms usually start with numbness or tingling in the hands and feet, but can spread to other parts of your body. Other symptoms include: weakness; pain that worsens at night
Pain may begin in your back and hip, then later extend down into your leg. Rest is often the cure for other pains of the leg, but not this one. It doesn’t help sciatica. Treatment may involve resting for a few days, along with taking anti-inflammatories and pain medications. Cold and heat can help with some symptoms.
What are the symptoms of lower leg pain?
Lower leg pain may be associated with these common symptoms: 1 Difficult walking 2 Pain with leg movement 3 Swelling of the joints or leg itself 4 Leg deformity or discoloration More
Why does my lower leg hurt when I Walk?
This sudden, tight, intense lower leg pain is sometimes called a “charley horse.” When it takes a grip, it can get worse quickly. It happens when your muscles are tired or dehydrated. Drink more water if you’re prone to leg cramps.
What should I do if I have severe leg pain?
If you feel acute or chronic pain in the leg, calf, thigh or lower back, there are things you can do to help reduce your discomfort. Leg pain can originate in the bones, connective tissues, blood vessels, nerves or skin. If you have severe or long-lasting leg pain, it can have a negative impact on your quality of life.
How to deal with leg pain while walking?
Don’t ignore it 1 Pay attention to the pattern of leg pain. The cramping and pain in the calves, thighs, hips, or buttocks that people with PAD experience during movement is called intermittent claudication. 2 Talk to your doctor about leg pain when walking. 3 Treating PAD: Lifestyle changes and more. …
How to know if you have tingling in your lower leg?
If you’re experiencing a tingling lower leg, you may also experience: 1 Numbness 2 Pain in the leg (s) with or without activity 3 Weakness of the affected leg (s) 4 Aching in the leg (s) relieved or worsened with movement 5 Trouble standing or sitting upright 6 Back pain that may or may not shoot down the leg (s)
What causes numbness and pain in both legs?
Symptoms of stenosis include: Pain in both thighs and legs Numb and heavy feelings in your thighs The pain from spinal stenosis is typically felt in both legs at the same time.
Walking hurts, so a “just do it” attitude about exercise isn’t helpful. But researchers have found that tightly structured, supervised exercise programs can help people increase the amount they can walk before the pain kicks in.
What kind of pain does your leg feel?
Leg pain and numbness can be experienced in many forms-some patients describe the pain as aching, searing, throbbing, or burning, or like standing in a bucket of ice water, especially the pain that results from overuse or injuries.