Leg Pain Causes

Leg pain causes many people to be disabled, crippled and have limited ability to get around. Leg pain in most cases is caused by some sort of trauma, but it can be caused by very serious illnesses such as cancer, diabetes or Multiple Sclerosis. To fully understand what is causing your leg pain, you must be seen by your physician. Sometimes guessing will cause more stress than is necessary.

1. Joint Pain. Joint pain may be caused by an injury or trauma, but mainly it is caused by an ailment. These ailments may include gout, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Diseases that cause swelling in the joints include Lupus, Lyme disease and inflammatory bowel disease. Joints that cause leg pain may spread down the leg and not just the joint itself.
2. Muscle Pain. Muscle pain, spasms and strains may also cause leg pain. Pulling out a muscle in the leg will cause excruciating pain until the leg has healed. You should rest, take an anti-inflammatory medicine and use ice packs to remove the swelling.
3. Fractures. Fractures or breaks in the leg will definitely cause pain. A broken bone will cause you to wear a cast and unlike muscle pain, rest is not enough to repair the bones.  A cast may be required for several weeks.  
4. Sprains and Strains.  A sprain occurs when there is a ligament injury. The muscles and or tendons are torn or stretched. Both of these types of injuries will cause leg pain due to the swelling and inflammation. Rest is imperative to repair the damage.
5. Trauma. Trauma is the number one cause for leg pain. Trauma could be an injury such as falling, tripping, damaging bones and muscle damage. Any trauma sustained that involved the legs will cause pain. The treatment for trauma will depend on the type of injury received.  
6. Sciatica. Sciatica is extremely painful and is usually associated with a pulled disc. The pain will radiate down the back of the legs and cause numbness. The pain is so bad that you may not be able to stand, walk or do anything at all for days. You may need to see a doctor for help in dealing with the leg pain and inflammation.
7. Illnesses and Disease. There are some chronic illnesses and diseases that may cause leg pain. Cancer, MS, diabetes, vitamin deficiencies and alcoholism have side effects of leg pain. Leg pain may be caused by minor conditions, but in some cases leg pain may indicate life threatening diseases.
8. Diabetes. Diabetes is a chronic disease that may cause leg pain. Poor circulation will cause the limbs to ache at times. Pain is noticeable in the arms, legs and feet. Injuries of any kind can cause severe consequences. When the blood sugar increases and is not maintained to normal levels, veins and arteries will deteriorate and cause damage over a period of years.
9. Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). Pain in your legs may be attributed to peripheral artery disease. Blood vessels are narrow and thus do not allow the blood to flow as before. Many times, the pain may result from activity such as walking, running or exercising. Peripheral artery disease can affect both legs because there are many blood vessels that are affected. When the blood flow is affected, many other complications may arise such as infections, skin problems and the possibility of strokes and heart disease.
10. Blood Clots. Blood clots will block veins and arteries and cause pain. Blood clots deep inside the veins, also known as deep vein thrombosis, can also cause pain. Any blood clot can be deadly if not treated immediately and may lead to the possibility of having a stroke.