Leg pain is common, ranging from muscle strains in professional athletes to degenerative joint diseases affecting elders. The legs can be prone to pain as they, in combination with the hips, knees, ankles and feet, move the entire body’s weight and provide support.

Exercise and excessive or improperly performed activity may cause strain in the legs. In addition, many conditions in the trunk of the body may produce symptoms that radiate into the limbs.

Some types of leg pain are caused by obvious injuries such as falls, sports injuries or other trauma. Leg cramps, one of the more common leg pain complaints, can result after exercise or can be due to an imbalance in the body’s chemicals. Circulatory problems, such as blocked arteries and blood clots, are another cause of leg pain.

Nerve compression or inflammation resulting in radiculopathy that begins in the low back frequently can cause leg pain. This is because the spinal nerve roots travel down the leg and can cause sciatica. Spinal stenosis, which may cause compression of spinal nerves in the spine, can also manifest itself as pain in the legs. Leg pain may also result from neuropathies such as from diabetes or chronic alcoholism.

A physical examination by a physician is the first step in identifying the source of leg pain. An individual’s physician may perform several tests to determine the potential cause of the pain. These tests may include x-rays, other imaging studies of the low back, nerve conduction studies, laboratory blood work, Doppler ultrasound to test blood flow, or a special blood pressure measurement in the legs.

Relief of leg pain involves treating the cause. Additional management may involve lifestyle modification to improve circulatory or nerve health, medications or physical therapy. Some conditions, such as sciatica, may not be helped with these techniques and may require advanced treatments such as spinal injections or surgery.

Lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a healthy weight, getting regular exercise and quitting smoking, may prevent the onset of certain painful leg problems.