Leg pain may be related to joint inflammation, injury, circulatory issues, or nerve damage. Eliza Codd, ARNP, FNP-BC, AG-ACNP-BC, CLS, is a double board-certified nurse practitioner at Woodlands Vein Center & Preventative Medicine Clinic in Shenandoah, Texas, also serving Woodlands, Conroe, Spring and North Houston, Texas, and can help uncover the cause of your pain. When related to venous insufficiency or another chronic disease, she devises a treatment plan to relieve your symptoms and address the underlying condition. Schedule an evaluation now by calling the office or requesting an appointment online.

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What causes leg pain?

Depending on its location, leg pain may be related to various musculoskeletal issues, including joint disease, ligamentous strain, or a lower back issue that’s irritating the sciatic nerve.

However, leg pain is often related to circulatory problems such as venous insufficiency, lymphedema, or peripheral artery disease (PAD). A blood clot can also cause pain and an area, along with warmth or redness in the affected leg.

Sometimes chronic conditions, such as diabetes or cardiac disease, can cause complications that lead to leg pain.

Diabetes, for instance, is the leading cause of damage to your peripheral nerves (peripheral neuropathy). Symptoms of diabetic peripheral neuropathy may include sharp, shooting, or burning pain in your legs and feet.

How do you diagnose the cause of leg pain?

The type of leg pain you’re experiencing, and the discomfort can help narrow the underlying cause.

Venous insufficiency, which is the underlying cause of varicose veins, may cause aching or throbbing leg pain that worsens with prolonged sitting or standing. It also tends to create a sensation of heaviness or fatigue in your legs that may be present even at rest.

Cramping leg pain (claudication) related to restricted blood flow due to peripheral artery disease (PAD) may occur when you’re engaging your leg muscles, such as when you’re climbing the stairs or taking a quick walk around the block. It tends to resolve once you stop the activity.

After a physical exam and detailed discussion of your symptoms, your provider typically recommends a diagnostic ultrasound (Doppler study) to accurately identify the cause of your symptoms.

Performed at Woodlands Vein Center & Preventative Medicine Clinic for your convenience, a Doppler study is a noninvasive and painless form of ultrasound that captures detailed images of blood flow through your legs. This can reveal blood clots, weakened veins, narrowed arteries, and other common circulatory issues.

Your provider creates a personalized treatment plan that relieves your pain and addresses the underlying condition based on those results.

How do you treat leg pain?

Treatment for leg pain varies and may include:

  • Vein ablation to resolve varicose veins and other symptoms of venous insufficiency
  • Therapy, such as angioplasty and stenting, to relieve claudication related to PAD
  • Improved diabetes management to help control peripheral neuropathy
  • Anti-inflammatory medication to help relieve pain
  • Referral to a specialist as necessary for pinched sciatic nerve in the lower back
  • Treatment for blood clot
  • Activity modification, such as elevating your legs at rest

Don’t ignore leg pain. Schedule an evaluation at Woodlands Vein Center & Preventative Medicine Clinic today by calling the office or booking your visit online.