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Leg Pain
Alternate Names : Aches - Leg, Cramps - Leg, Pain - Leg
Definition
Pictures & Images
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Common Causes
Leg pain can be due to a muscle cramp (also called a charley horse). Common causes of cramps include:
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Muscle fatigue or strain from overuse, excessive exercise, or holding a muscle in the same position for a long period of time.
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Dehydration or depletion of certain minerals like potassium, sodium, calcium, or magnesium.
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Medications like diuretics (which can cause you to lose too much fluid or minerals), and cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins (including atorvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, and simvastatin).
An injury can also cause leg pain from:
Other common causes of leg pain include:
Less common causes include: Slipped capital femoral epiphysis -- seen in boys and overweight children (usually betweeen 11 and 15 years old), this refers to a separation of the ball of the hip joint from the thigh bone. It causes pain and growth abnormalities. - Legg-Calve-Perthes disease -- poor blood flow to the hip that can lead to shortening of the length of the leg. This condition usually affects boys between 4 and 10 years old.
- Benign tumors or cysts of the femur or tibia (osteoid ostioma).
- Malignant bone tumors (osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma).
- Drugs such as allopurinol and corticosteroids.
- Sciatic nerve pain (radiating pain down the leg) caused by a slipped disk in the back.
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• Definition
• Leg Pain: Common Causes
• Leg Pain: Home Care & Treatment
• Leg Pain: Prevention
• Call your Health Care Provider if
• What to Expect at your Health Care Provider's Office
• Pictures & Images
Review Date : 11/18/2003
Reviewed By : Jacqueline A. Hart, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Boston, Ma., and Senior Medical Editor, A.D.A.M., Inc. Previously reviewed by Steven Angelo, M.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (10/31/2002).
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