Leg Pain Causes

Leg pain may result from a damage to the bones, cartilage, tendons or muscles. According to the Mayo Clinic, damage to the legs may be caused by vascular disorders, such as blockage of veins and arteries from blood clots or arterial plaque. Other causes of leg pain include injuries, physical activity and chronic diseases. Determining the exact cause of leg pain may require medical tests and imaging, such as X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Fracture

• A fracture in the large bones of the leg, including the femur, tibia and fibula, may cause sharp pain throughout the leg.

Exercise

• Overdoing physical activity or exercising without first stretching and warming up the muscles can result in leg cramps, stiffness and pain.

Shingles

• Shingles is a reawakening of a virus that causes chicken pox, which attacks the nerve endings and can cause a rash followed by tingling and pain.

RLS

• Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a movement disorder that causes unpleasant feelings in the legs that make people want to get up and move around, especially at night when they would otherwise be sleeping.

Fibromyalgia

• Fibromyalgia is pain in the muscles of both sides of the body caused by an oversensitivity of nerves, and may result in feelings of pain in the legs.

Phlebitis

• Phlebitis is the inflammation of a vein from a blood clot and usually occurs in the legs, resulting in swelling, redness, pain and irritation.

Arthritis

• Arthritis is the chronic inflammation of a joint and may cause pain in or around the hip, knee or ankle parts of the leg.