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What Causes Lower Leg Pain On Left Leg?
Question: I have lower leg pain on my left leg midway between my knee and ankle. Had same pain few years ago
on right leg - thought due to an old bone fracture. Left quite strong for a few hours then went away. Back again but not too severe. Serious?
on right leg - thought due to an old bone fracture. Left quite strong for a few hours then went away. Back again but not too severe. Serious?
Brief Answer:
A number of different possibilities
Detailed Answer:
Hi Thanks for your question,
Pain in this region can be due to a number of causes.
The 1st would be a muscle sprain or strain, or spasm in the muscle which would feel like a cramp. If you have done some excess or unusual activity for you today such as gardening then this might explain the pain. Stretching, a warm bath or shower and an anti-inflammatory medication such as aleve or ibuprofen would help the pain.
If your calf is swollen and the pain is mainly in the back of the calf then this would be concerning for a deep vein thrombosis. The pain would not likely come and go if this was the diagnosis but would be constant and may even be worsening. This often happens after a period of immobility such as a long flight or car journey.
Sharp shooting pain in the back of the calf can come from nerve compression in the lumbar spine due to a prolapse intervertebral disc. In this instance you may also have back pain and numbness or weakness in your foot.
Varicose veins and inflammation of the veins can cause aching pain in the lower leg.
Narrowing of the arteries can cause pain in the calf region but this is usually evident when walking and is relieved when you rest - so called claudicant pain.
I hope this information helps answer your question.
Best wishes
A number of different possibilities
Detailed Answer:
Hi Thanks for your question,
Pain in this region can be due to a number of causes.
The 1st would be a muscle sprain or strain, or spasm in the muscle which would feel like a cramp. If you have done some excess or unusual activity for you today such as gardening then this might explain the pain. Stretching, a warm bath or shower and an anti-inflammatory medication such as aleve or ibuprofen would help the pain.
If your calf is swollen and the pain is mainly in the back of the calf then this would be concerning for a deep vein thrombosis. The pain would not likely come and go if this was the diagnosis but would be constant and may even be worsening. This often happens after a period of immobility such as a long flight or car journey.
Sharp shooting pain in the back of the calf can come from nerve compression in the lumbar spine due to a prolapse intervertebral disc. In this instance you may also have back pain and numbness or weakness in your foot.
Varicose veins and inflammation of the veins can cause aching pain in the lower leg.
Narrowing of the arteries can cause pain in the calf region but this is usually evident when walking and is relieved when you rest - so called claudicant pain.
I hope this information helps answer your question.
Best wishes
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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