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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffMost 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:
- Achilles tendinitis
- Achilles tendon rupture
- ACL injury
- Baker's cyst
- Bone cancer
- Broken leg
- Bursitis
- Chondromalacia patella
- Chronic exertional compartment syndrome
- Claudication
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Fibromyalgia
- Gout
- Growing pains
- Growth plate fractures
- Hamstring injury
- Herniated disk
- Infection
- Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
- Knee bursitis
- Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
- Torn meniscus
- Muscle cramp
- Night leg cramps
- Osgood-Schlatter disease
- Osteoarthritis
- Osteochondritis dissecans
- Osteomyelitis
- Paget's disease of bone
- Patellar tendinitis
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Posterior cruciate ligament injury
- Posterior tibial tendon rupture
- Pseudogout
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Sciatica
- Shin splints
- Spinal stenosis
- Sprains and strains
- Stress fractures
- Tendinitis
- Thrombophlebitis
- Varicose veins
Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.
References
- Kinirons M, et al. French's Index of Differential Diagnosis: An A-Z.15th ed. London, England: Hodder Arnold; 2011:349.
- Seller RH. Differential Diagnosis of Common Complaints. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:269.
- Knee and leg. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/menus/leg.cfm. Accessed Jan. 25, 2013.
- 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.
- Wilkinson JM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Feb. 3, 2013.
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