Minor leg problems, such as sore muscles, are common. Leg problems commonly occur during sports or recreational activities, work-related tasks, and work or projects around the home. Leg problems also can be caused by injuries. If you think your leg problem is related to an injury, see the topic Leg Injuries.

Leg problems may be minor or serious and may include symptoms such as pain, swelling, cramps, numbness, tingling, weakness, or changes in temperature or color. Symptoms often develop from exercise, everyday wear and tear, or overuse.

Older adults have a higher risk for leg problems because they lose muscle mass as they age. Children may have leg problems for the same reasons as adults or for reasons specific to children. Problems are often caused by overactivity or the rapid growth of bone and muscle that occurs in children.

It may be helpful to know the structure of the leg to better understand leg problems. See pictures of:

• Bones of the lower leg and the thigh.
• Muscles and tendons of the lower leg.

Leg problems that are not related to a specific injury have many causes.

• Overuse injuries may occur when you "overdo" an activity, do the same activity repeatedly, or increase your exercise. Examples of overuse injuries include bursitis, tendinitis, shin splints, stress fractures, or plantar fasciitis. Muscle cramps can be caused by activity or dehydration, especially when you exercise in the heat. For more information, see the topic Dehydration.
• Problems that affect the blood vessels (vascular disease) can include peripheral arterial disease, inflammation of a vein (phlebitis), or a blood clot (thrombophlebitis).
  • A blood clot near the surface of the skin may cause only minor problems, while a clot in a deep vein may be more serious. Recent surgery, especially on bones or the pelvic or urinary organs, increases the risk of blood clots, especially in deep leg veins. Prolonged bed rest and inactivity, including sitting or standing in one position for long periods of time, or prolonged immobilization of a limb, such as in a cast or splint, also may increase the risk of blood clots.
  • Problems affecting the arteries (peripheral arterial disease) can cause cramping pain that occurs with predictable amounts of exercise, such as walking a short distance, but improves with rest.
• Other diseases, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus, can cause joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. A transient ischemic attack (TIA) or a stroke can cause numbness, tingling, or loss of function in one or both legs.

Some leg problems are seen only in children, such as swelling at the top of the shin bone (Osgood-Schlatter disease) and swelling and pain in the knee joint (juvenile rheumatoid arthritis). Growing pains are common among rapidly growing children and adolescents and are probably caused by differences in growth rates of muscle, bone, and soft tissue. These pains often last for 1 or 2 hours at a time and can wake a child from sleep.

Swollen feet are common after you have been sitting or standing for long periods of time or during hot or humid weather. Sitting or lying down and elevating your legs will often relieve this type of swelling. Conditions that put increased pressure on the abdomen and pelvis, such as obesity and pregnancy, also can cause swelling in the feet and ankles and varicose veins.

• Varicose veins can affect both men and women and may only cause a problem in one leg. For more information, see the topic Varicose Veins.
• The swelling in the feet and ankles that occurs during pregnancy usually gets worse toward the end of the pregnancy and goes away after delivery. For more information, see the topic Pregnancy-Related Problems.

Many medicines can cause problems in the legs. For example, birth control pills and other hormones can increase your risk of blood clots, while water pills (diuretics), heart medicines, and cholesterol-lowering medicines (statins) can cause muscle cramps.

Some leg problems are only present at night:

• Restless legs syndrome causes an intense, often irresistible urge to move the legs. This can interrupt sleep make you overly tired during the day. You may have a "pins-and-needles," prickling, creeping, crawling, tingling, and sometimes painful feeling in your legs. Moving your legs can provide short-term relief.
• Nighttime leg cramps are a sudden tightening (contraction) of the leg muscles in the calf, thigh, or foot. They often occur just as you are falling asleep or waking up. They can be painful and can last from a few seconds to a few minutes. Walking or stretching your leg can sometimes help relieve nighttime leg cramps.

Most minor leg problems will heal on their own, and home treatment may be all that is needed to relieve symptoms and promote healing. However, serious leg problems also may occur and require prompt evaluation by a doctor.

Review the Emergencies and Check Your Symptoms sections to determine if and when you need to see a doctor.

Emergencies

Do you have any of the following symptoms that require emergency treatment? Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.

• Leg pain with sudden, sharp chest pain; shortness of breath; coughing up of blood, or other symptoms of a blood clot in the lung (pulmonary embolism)
• Sudden leg weakness with loss of function
• Sudden severe pain with pale, white, blue, or cold skin that has lasted more than a few minutes

Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

If you have any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.

• Leg injury: Go to the topic Leg Injuries.
• Leg pain with back or buttock pain: Go to the topic Back Problems and Injuries.
• Leg swelling during pregnancy: Go to the topic Pregnancy-Related Problems.
• Leg swelling that you think may be caused by an allergic reaction: Go to the topic Allergic Reaction.
• Ankle or foot problem: Go to the topic Toe, Foot, and Ankle Problems, Noninjury.
• Hip problem: Go to the topic:
  • Hip Problems and Injuries, Age 11 and Younger.
  • Hip Problems and Injuries, Age 12 and Older.
• Knee problem: Go to the topic Knee Problems and Injuries.
• Insect bite or sting: Go to the topic Insect Bites and Stings and Spider Bites.
• Rash: Go to the topic:
  • Rash, Age 11 and Younger.
  • Rash, Age 12 and Older.

Yes

Do you have pain or a cramp in your leg or calf?

See significance of pain or a cramp in your leg or calf if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Do you have steady, unexplained pain and swelling in your leg or calf?

Yes

Is severe pain in your leg or calf not relieved by rest?

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Do you have steady, unexplained moderate pain, but you do not have swelling in your leg or calf?

Yes

Has leg pain that is typical for you gotten worse?

Yes

Have you ever had a blood clot in your leg?

Yes

Do you have a muscle cramp that has not improved after 4 hours of home treatment?

Yes

Is a young child limping, unable or unwilling to walk or stand, or carefully protecting his or her leg?

You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Have you had more muscle cramps than usual for longer than 1 week?

Yes

Have your muscle cramps been more painful for longer than 1 week?

You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Do you have mild, steady pain without other symptoms that has not improved after 1 week of home treatment?

Yes

Do you have repeated episodes of mild leg pain that occur after walking the same distance and that go away when you rest?

Yes

Do your muscle cramps improve with home treatment but keep coming back (without other symptoms and without getting worse)?

Yes

Have you had cramps that come and go for 2 weeks or longer without other symptoms?

Yes

Do you have leg cramps at night?

Yes

Do you have an uncontrollable need to move your legs at night (restless legs syndrome)?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Yes

Do you have swelling in one or both legs?

See significance of swelling if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Do you have leg swelling with pale, white, blue, or cold skin?

Yes

Do you have steady, unexplained pain and swelling in one leg or calf?

Yes

Within the last 4 hours, have you developed swelling across two large joints, such as from below the ankle to above the knee?

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Do you have swelling in your legs with shortness of breath or changes in urination?

Yes

Do you have gradual swelling across 2 large joints?

Yes

Has leg swelling that is typical for you gotten worse?

Yes

Have you had joint swelling for longer than 24 hours?

You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Do you have mild swelling without other symptoms that has not improved after 1 week of home treatment?

Yes

Do you have long-term swelling that has been checked by your doctor, but the swelling has not improved or followed the expected course?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Yes

Do you have numbness or tingling in one or both legs?

See significance of numbness or tingling if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Do you have sudden, new numbness in one or both legs?

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Do you have steady tingling in one leg?

Yes

Have symptoms of tingling gotten worse since you were last checked by your doctor?

You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Have you had numbness or tingling that comes and goes for 3 days or longer and you have not had it checked by your doctor?

You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Do you have numbness or tingling that comes and goes that has been checked by your doctor but is now getting worse?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Yes

Do you now have leg weakness or have you had leg weakness in the past?

See significance of leg weakness if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Did you have sudden leg weakness with any loss of function, but your symptoms are gone now?

Yes

Do you have leg weakness that began suddenly, but you do not have other symptoms of loss of function?

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Is leg weakness that began gradually now affecting your ability to do your daily activities?

You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Do you have mild leg weakness that has not improved after 1 week of home treatment?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Yes

Is your leg pale, white, blue, or cold?

See significance of pale, white, blue, or cold leg if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Do your toes or foot look pale, white, or blue, or feel cold but you do not have other symptoms? Note: If you have a cast or splint in place, see first aid for a cast or splint.

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Does your leg look pale, white, or blue, or feel cold off and on but you have not had your symptoms checked by a doctor?

Yes

Has a dusky or blue color in one or both legs been present for a long time and recently gotten worse but has not been checked by a doctor?

Yes

Have your symptoms become worse since being checked by your doctor?

You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Have you had a dusky or blue color in one or both legs for a long time but you have not had your symptoms checked by your doctor?

Yes

Do you have a dusky or blue color in your leg along with other symptoms, such as pain, numbness, or skin changes, that have gradually changed since being checked by your doctor?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Yes

Do you think you have a skin infection in one or both legs?

See significance of a skin infection if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Do you have diabetes?

Yes

Do you have peripheral arterial disease?

Yes

Do you have a disease or take medicine that causes problems with your immune system?

Yes

Do you have red streaks extending from the area?

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Do you have increased pain, swelling, redness, or warmth around the area?

Yes

Do you have pus in or around the area?

Yes

Do you have a red, tender lump or bump on a leg?

Yes

Do you know or think you have a fever?

You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Have you had mild pain and swelling with redness less than 1 in. (2.5 cm) on your leg for 24 hours or longer?

Yes

Have you had swollen glands (lymph nodes) in your groin for 1 week or longer?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Yes

Are you having a problem along the length of a vein or along a varicose vein?

See significance of a problem along the length of a vein or varicose vein if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Do you have tenderness and redness along the length of a vein that have not been checked by your doctor?

Yes

Do you have a red, tender lump over a vein?

Yes

Has a sore developed over or near a varicose vein?

Yes

Is a varicose vein bleeding?

Yes

Have you had a blood clot in a vein in the past?

You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Do you have increasing pain in your varicose veins after 24 hours of home treatment?

You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Are you having problems with a vein or your varicose veins, and your symptoms have not improved with your doctor's recommended home treatment?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Yes

Do you think a medicine is causing your leg problem?

See significance of a medicine causing a leg problem if you need information to help you answer the question below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Do you think that a medicine is causing your leg problem?

Note: If your answer is Yes:

• Call your doctor who prescribed the medicine before taking another dose. The medicine may need to be stopped, changed, or the dose adjusted. An appointment may not be necessary.
• If you are taking any medicine not prescribed by a doctor, stop taking the medicine. If you feel you need to continue taking the medicine, call your doctor to discuss it.

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Yes

Do you have any bumps under the skin in your lower legs?

See significance of bumps under the skin causing a leg problem if you need information to help you answer the question below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Have you had any bumps under the skin in your lower legs for 3 days or longer?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

Home Treatment

If your leg problem does not require an evaluation by a doctor, you may be able to use home treatment to help relieve pain, swelling, stiffness or muscle cramps.

• Rest and protect a stiff or sore area. Stop, change, or take a break from any activity that may be causing your pain or soreness.
• Ice will reduce pain and swelling. Apply ice or cold packs immediately to prevent or minimize swelling. Apply the ice or cold pack for 10 to 20 minutes, 3 or more times a day.
  • For the first 48 hours, avoid things that might increase swelling, such as hot showers, hot tubs, hot packs, or alcoholic beverages.
  • After 48 to 72 hours, if swelling is gone, apply heat and begin gentle exercise with the aid of moist heat to help restore and maintain flexibility. Some experts recommend alternating between heat and cold treatments.
• Compression, or wrapping the sore area with an elastic bandage (such as an Ace wrap), will help decrease swelling. Don't wrap it too tightly, as this can cause more swelling below the area. Loosen the bandage if it gets too tight. Signs that the bandage is too tight include numbness, tingling, increased pain, coolness, or swelling in the area below the bandage. Talk to your doctor if you think you need to use a wrap for longer than 48 to 72 hours; a more serious problem may be present.
• Elevate the area on pillows while applying ice and anytime you are sitting or lying down. Try to keep the area at or above the level of your heart to help minimize swelling.
• Remove all rings, anklets, or any other jewelry that goes around an extremity. It will be more difficult to remove the jewelry once swelling develops.
• Gently massage or rub the area to relieve pain and encourage blood flow. Do not rub or massage your calf if swelling is present. If swelling is caused by a blood clot, massage could cause the blood clot to break off and travel through your bloodstream.
• Stand and move your legs. Gentle motion may help with cramps that are brought on by exercise.

Drink plenty of fluids. Sports drinks, such as Gatorade, will often help leg cramps. For more information about the home treatment of muscle cramps that are often caused by dehydration from exercise or heat, see the topic Dehydration.

If you think your child is having growing pains, try warmth and massage to relieve discomfort in the legs. Do not rub or massage a calf that is swollen.

For leg cramps, consider wearing support stockings during the day, and take frequent rest periods (with your feet up). If leg cramps occur during pregnancy, make sure you are eating a diet rich in calcium and magnesium. Talk with your doctor about taking a calcium supplement. He or she may recommend a calcium supplement that does not contain phosphorus.

Do not smoke. Smoking slows healing because it decreases blood supply and delays tissue repair. For more information, see the topic Quitting Tobacco Use.

Reduce stress on your leg (until you can get advice from your doctor):

• Use a cane or crutch in the hand opposite your painful leg.
• Use two crutches, keeping weight off your leg. Canes and crutches can be rented from most pharmacies. Crutches are recommended if a cane causes you to walk with a limp.

For more information about the home treatment of problems caused by varicose veins, see the topic Varicose Veins.

Symptoms to Watch For During Home Treatment

Use the Check Your Symptoms section to evaluate your symptoms if any of the following occur during home treatment:

• You are unable to use your leg normally.
• Pain or swelling develops.
• Signs of infection develop.
• Numbness or tingling develops.
• Cool, pale skin develops.
• Symptoms continue after 1 to 2 weeks of home treatment.
• Symptoms become more frequent or more severe.

Prevention

The following tips may prevent leg problems.

General prevention tips

• Drink extra water or an electrolyte replacement drink (such as Gatorade or Powerade) before, during, and after exercise, especially during hot or humid weather.
• Warm up well and stretch before any activity. Stretch after exercise to keep hot muscles from shortening and cramping.
• Avoid exercises and activities that cause you to point your toes, and do not wear high-heeled shoes.
• Use the correct techniques (movements) or positions during activities so that you do not strain your muscles. Use good posture while exercising.
• Use equipment appropriate to your size, strength, and ability.
• Avoid overusing your leg doing repeated movements that can inflame or irritate your bursa or tendon. In daily routines or hobbies, examine activities in which you make repeated leg movements, and change the way you do the activities, if possible, to prevent leg problems from developing.
• Consider taking lessons to learn the proper technique for sports. Have a trainer or person who is familiar with sports equipment check your equipment to see if it is well suited for your level of ability, body size, and body strength.
• If you feel that certain activities at your workplace are causing pain or soreness from overuse, talk to your human resources department for information on alternative ways of doing your job or to discuss equipment modifications or other job assignments.
• If cramps wake you at night, take a warm bath and do some stretching exercises before going to bed. Keep your legs warm, and try not to point your toes while sleeping.

Prevent swelling

• Cut down on the amount of salt (sodium) you use in your diet. Sodium can be hidden in foods such as cheese, canned soups, and salad dressing. Consider making your own salt substitute. Talk to your doctor before trying a salt substitute.
• Get up and walk around for a few minutes every hour if you sit for long periods. Gentle motion may help reduce swelling in the feet and ankles.
• Avoid tight-fitting clothing or straps around the waist or upper legs that may affect circulation and feeling in the legs.

Keep bones strong

• Eat a nutritious diet with enough calcium and vitamin D. (Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium.) Calcium is found in dairy products, such as milk, cheese, and yoghourt; dark green, leafy vegetables, such as broccoli; and other foods.
• Exercise and stay active. It is best to do weight-bearing exercise (such as walking, jogging, stair climbing, dancing, or lifting weights) for 45 to 60 minutes at least 4 days a week. Weight-bearing exercises stimulate new bone growth by working the muscles and bones against gravity. Exercises that are not weight-bearing, such as swimming, are good for your general health but do not stimulate new bone growth. Talk to your doctor about an exercise program that is right for you. Begin slowly, especially if you have been inactive. For more information, see the topic Fitness.
• Lose weight. Being overweight increases your risk for leg problems and makes it more difficult to do weight-bearing exercises.
• Don't drink more than 2 alcoholic drinks a day if you are a man, or 1 alcoholic drink a day if you are a woman. People who drink more than this may be at higher risk for weakening bones (osteoporosis). Drinking alcohol also increases your risk of falls.
• Do not smoke or use other tobacco products. Smoking puts you at a much higher risk for developing osteoporosis. It also interferes with blood supply and healing. For more information, see the topic Quitting Tobacco Use.

For information on how to prevent blood clots from developing in the legs, see the topic Deep Vein Thrombosis.

Preparing For Your Appointment

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.

You can help your doctor diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the following questions:

• What are your main symptoms?
• When did the symptoms occur? What were you doing when the symptoms started?
• How long have you had your symptoms?
• Have you had similar symptoms before? When? How were they treated?
• Do any activities related to sports, work, or your lifestyle make your symptoms better or worse?
• Do you think that activities related to your job or hobbies caused your symptoms?
• Have you had a recent surgery or prolonged bed rest?
• Have you recently had an extended period of inactivity, such as while traveling by plane or car?
• What home treatment have you tried? Did it help?
• What prescription and nonprescription medicines have you tried? Did they help?
• Do you have any health risks?

Related Information

• Allergic Reaction
• Back Problems and Injuries
• Bursitis
• Deep Vein Thrombosis
• Dehydration
• Groin Problems and Injuries
• Heart Failure
• Hip Problems, Age 11 and Younger
• Hip Problems, Age 12 and Older
• Insect Bites and Stings and Spider Bites
• Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Knee Problems and Injuries
• Leg Injuries
• Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus)
• Osteoarthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Quitting Smoking
• Rash, Age 11 and Younger
• Rash, Age 12 and Older
• Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Stroke
• Toe, Foot, and Ankle Problems, Noninjury
• Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
• Varicose Veins