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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Pain Management Advisor

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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 also 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 to put weight on your leg.

Causes
References
  1. Kinirons M, et al. French's Index of Differential Diagnosis: An A-Z.15th ed. London, England: Hodder Arnold; 2011:349.
  2. Seller RH. Differential Diagnosis of Common Complaints. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:269.
  3. Knee and leg. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/menus/leg.cfm. Accessed Jan. 25, 2013.
  4. Firestein GS, et al. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2013. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-6/0/1807/0.html. Accessed Jan. 25, 2013.
  5. Wilkinson JM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Feb. 3, 2013.
MY00080 April 6, 2013

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