Leg pain and foot pain vary in type and severity and typically depend upon a person’s lifestyle and associated medical problems.1 additionally to leg pathology, leg pain could also be caused by a condition affecting the lower back, hip, or pelvic region. the sort of pain may differ supported the underlying cause.
This article provides a guide to the potential causes, specific diagnostic procedures, and therefore the differing types of treatment approaches available for leg and foot pain.
Spinal Causes of Leg Pain
Problems within the lower spine may affect the nervus spinalis roots, causing pain to radiate into the leg and/or foot (radiculopathy). Common causes of leg and foot pain that originate within the spine include:
Herniated discs: Bulging or leaking out of an intervertebral disc’s inner contents (nucleus pulposus).
Spinal stenosis: Narrowing of the tiny bony openings (foramina) for spinal nerves.
Degeneration: Arthritic or age-related changes during a disc, vertebral bone, or vertebral facet joint.
Spondylolisthesis: Forward or backward slipping of a vertebra over subsequent lower vertebra.
Compression of the medulla spinalis within the neck and/or cauda equina within the lower back also can cause leg pain.
Blood Vessel Causes of Leg Pain
The arteries and/or veins within the legs may get inflamed or blocked, causing leg and foot pain. Common causes include:
Peripheral artery disease: Decreased circulation caused thanks to blocked arteries.2
Deep vein thrombosis: grume within the deep vein(s) of the leg causing decreased or altered blood flow.