Leg pain can be caused by various ailments and conditions including forms of arthritis, dehydration, muscle cramps and poor circulation, vitamin deficiencies, restless leg syndrome (RLS), and diseases and viruses like the flu can cause leg aches. A muscle spasm that causes the muscle to stiffen up and turn hard is commonly called a charley horse and it can be quite painful. It is not typically painful when muscle contractions involve muscles twitching but not locking up. This fasciculation or muscle twitching is involuntary and typically only affects individual muscle groups connected to a particular motor neuron. Muscle cramps are mainly caused by lack of stretching or an imbalance of electrolytes such as calcium, sodium, and potassium.

Artery problems and Diabetes

An aching, tired, and burning pain in the legs that is brought on by exercise and relieved by rest may be caused by a blocked artery or poor circulation in the legs. Patients with poorly controlled diabetes are particularly at risk for circulation disorders like deep venous thrombosis (DVT), which affects veins in the lower leg and the thigh and can cause limping (claudication).

A blood clot can cause the acute onset of pain and the leg can become pale and cool because the blood supply has been cut off. Conditions of the heart like cardiac arrhythmia (atrial fibrillation) and heart disease can cause small clots to form on the lining of the heart and break off and travel through the arteries, obstructing blood flow at points distant from the heart. Aside from the leg, the obstruction may occur in one of the blood vessels leading to the brain, causing a stroke. Immediate medical attention should be sought for these symptoms because surgery or medication may be required to remove the blood clot to prevent loss of the limb or a stroke.

Pain caused by the Sciatic Nerve

Sciatica is a form of peripheral neuropathy that occurs when there is pressure on or damage to the sciatic nerve. This nerve is located in the back of the leg and it controls the muscles of the lower back, lower leg and foot. Many pregnant patients will experience intermittent sciatic pain late in their pregnancy. Sciatic pain is typically a burning or pinching sensation that starts at the hip or buttocks and shoots down the side or back of the leg. Some patients also report numbness in the leg, which is called common peroneal nerve dysfunction and this condition is noted especially in cases of injury to the sciatic nerve.

Leg pain in children may be a mild ache and this type of pain is often called growing pains. More severe and chronic leg pain in children may be due to trauma caused by damage to growth plates, or systemic illnesses like Henoch-Schonlein purpura, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, or rheumatic fever. Medical care should be accessed immediately if back and pain in the legs occurs with episodes of increased muscle weakness, falling, or changes in bowel or bladder function, as this may signal a spinal cord emergency. Children who develop leg pain and begin to limp or who develop a fever should be seen immediately for evaluation.