7 Common Conditions that Cause Lower Leg Pain

Lower leg pain is very common, especially amongst athletes and runners. The lower leg area takes the maximum strain throughout our day-to-day life, making it susceptible to injury. Lower leg injuries come in various forms. However, the complexity of the lower leg area can make it slightly challenging to pinpoint the exact cause.

Nonetheless, diagnosing lower leg pain is crucial for its treatment. Through detailed physical examination and imaging tests, the causes of the lower leg pain can be diagnosed and treated.

The following are 7 common conditions that cause lower leg pain:

#1. Injury

A widespread cause of lower leg pain are injuries to the muscles, joints, bones, tendons, and ligaments, causing conditions such as fractures, strains, sprain, and shin splints. While sprains and strains involve injury to the ligaments, tendons, and muscles, shin splints are caused by injury along the inner edge of the tibia.

#2. Tendonitis

A tendon is the connective tissue between the muscles and bones. Tendonitis in the lower leg occurs when the tendons become irritated or inflamed, mostly due to a sudden increase in the intensity of physical activity and the overuse of the calf muscles. 

#3. Sciatica or Lower back Pain

Sciatica is a condition that irritates one or more nerves that travel from the lower spine to the leg. This painful sensation in the lower back causes pain, numbness, weakness, cramps, fatigue, and a burning sensation in the leg. Conditions like a herniated spinal disc, spinal stenosis, an infection, or a tumor, can cause sciatica.

#4. Muscle Cramps

Muscle cramps are caused by involuntary contraction of the lower leg muscles, leading to excruciating pain in the area. These sudden, tight cramps can occur due to muscle overuse, muscle strain, or dehydration. Patients suffering from fibromyalgia, thyroid, liver disease and diabetes, are more susceptible to muscle cramps.

#5. Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

Peripheral artery disease is a condition wherein one or more leg arteries are narrowed, thereby compromising the blood flow to the leg. PAD causes painful cramping in the calf, which intensifies with further physical activity. Peripheral artery disease can be effectively treated through exercise, a healthy, balanced diet, and quitting tobacco.  

#6. Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a potentially life-threatening condition occurring when the leg vein has a blood clot. If these blood clots travel to your lung from the leg, they might block a blood vessel and cause a pulmonary embolism (PE). This can damage vital organs, including the lungs and heart, and even cause heart failure. These clots usually develop due to an injury to the vein wall as potential aftermath of conditions such as cancer, pregnancy, etc. Symptoms of DVT in the lower leg can include severe calf pain, along with swelling, warmth, and redness of the calf. Blood-thinning medications are used to treat and contain DVT.

#7. Chronic Venous Insufficiency

Chronic Venous Insufficiency occurs when the valves in the leg veins are damaged or malfunctioning, compromising the blood flow back to the heart. Therefore, the blood flows backward into the vein, pooling in the legs. This condition causes several symptoms, including leg cramps, swelling in the ankles, aching, throbbing, itchy sensation in the legs, weakness, etc.  

Looking for the best leg pain treatment and vein disease treatment in Johns Creek, Roswell, Lawrenceville, and Cumming, GA? Our qualified professionals at the North Atlanta Vascular Clinic and Vein Center will give you all the care and guidance you need.