Leg Aching
Schedule A Free ScreeningLeg pain as a result of venous insufficiency can happen to anyone of any age. Pain can range from a dull ache to an intense stabbing sensation. Though most leg pain is due to overuse, injuries in muscles, ligaments or bones, some types of pain result from medical conditions. If you are experiencing persistent or pain, consult a vein specialist as soon as possible. A timely diagnosis and treatment for underlying conditions can prevent the pain from getting worse. Call us at 888-782-8346 for more information.
Causes of Leg Pain
Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Chronic venous insufficiency is a vein disease that develops when the valves inside your veins do not close properly, which prevents the blood from moving upward toward the heart as efficiently. The pooling that occurs increases pressure inside the veins and stretches the vein walls. This causes aching in the legs as well as other symptoms like heaviness and fatigue.
Muscle Cramps
This is a common cause of leg pain. A cramp happens suddenly with a sharp pain as the leg muscles contract. The intense lower leg pain also called “charley horse” may occur in your sleep or during the daytime. You might be able to notice some redness and swelling in the surrounding area. Muscle leg cramps happen when the muscle is fatigued or dehydrated.
Medical Conditions
Blood clots
When the blood flow doesn’t function appropriately, it prevents the blood from traveling from the legs back to your heart. The blood clot usually forms in the lower leg or thigh. You’re more likely to develop blood clots if you:
- Have a sedentary lifestyle
- Sit or stand for prolonged periods
- Are overweight
- Smoke
Blood clots develop in a deep vein and can sometimes pose a life-threatening health issue known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The clot in this condition could travel to an artery in the lungs and block blood flow.
Varicose Veins
Varicose veins appear as twisted, dark blue or purple veins that can be seen on the surface of the skin. As vein valves become weakened or damaged, blood pools and cause varicose veins to develop. It’s a common sign of chronic venous insufficiency, but it can also occur without CVI. Varicose veins can cause aching in the legs and calves because of increased pressure within the veins. This pressure may irritate nearby nerves and trigger inflammation in the surrounding tissues.
Peripheral Artery Disease
Peripheral artery disease occurs when plaque builds up inside the arteries that carry blood to your legs. The narrowing that occurs reduces blood flow to the muscles. When you use your muscles during exercise, they demand more oxygen than your arteries can deliver, leading to aching and cramping. This type of aching usually improves with rest and comes back with activity.
Deep Vein Thrombosis
One of the biggest causes of CVI is a condition called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). In this condition, a blood clot forms in a deep vein in the leg, partially or completely blocking blood flow. The resulting pressure causes leg pain, with aching that is persistent. DVT does not always cause symptoms, but any signs should be evaluated right away.
Lymphedema
When the lymphatic system does not properly drain lymph fluid from the tissues because of surgery, injury, infection or inherited conditions, it can cause a condition called lymphedema. Fluid accumulation and lymphedema-related swelling can cause aching and discomfort in the legs.
Lipedema
Abnormal fat distribution in the legs or hips is called lipedema, a condition that primarily affects women. The fat tissue in lipedema is different from typical fat, and is often tender to the touch and prone to inflammation. Some patients experience aching and pressure in the legs with this condition.
Physicians Vein Clinics
When to Find a Vein Doctor Near Me
There are many causes of leg pain. In most cases, it is temporary pain and can be relieved at home. When leg pain is chronic and coupled with other symptoms of venous insufficiency, a vein screening may help to diagnose the problem. Schedule an appointment with a vein specialist at your nearest clinic if you’re experiencing:
- Restless legs
- Leg heaviness
- Spider veins
- Varicose veins
- Leg aching
- Leg ulcers
- Ankle and leg swelling
- Skin discoloration
- Itching and burning
- Skin rash like eczema
- Muscle cramping
Why Physicians Vein Clinics
- Board-certified vein specialists who diagnose and treat vein disease every day
- 14 convenient vein centers across South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Minnesota
- All vein treatments are minimally invasive and performed in-office with little to no downtime
- Free vein screening available with no referral required, and most insurance plans accepted
How Is Leg Aching Treated?
Physicians Vein Clinics specializes in treating venous insufficiencies and can help determine how to best treat vein disease. Early diagnosis can prevent more serious problems in the future and provide you with improved results and a better quality of life.
Never ignore leg pain that doesn’t seem to be going away or that’s accompanied by other symptoms. Doing so could be dangerous. See your doctor if you’re concerned about your leg pain.
Conservative Therapy
Compression therapy is often the first step when treating vein related aching. Our conservative therapy requires prescription-grade compression stockings that give you 20-30 mmHg compression or higher, depending on your tolerance levels. These stockings are graduated, providing more compression at the ankles and less at the top of the legs to push the blood in the right direction. If conservative therapy does not resolve your symptoms, we may move on to one of our minimally invasive vein treatments.
Endovenous Radiofrequency Ablation
For malfunctioning veins in the saphenous system, we often use a treatment method known as endovenous radiofrequency ablation. This method is good for veins above and below the knee, along with medium or large truncal veins. We start with local anesthesia and then insert a catheter into the vein. It delivers radiofrequency energy, which heats the vein to shrink and close it.
Varithena
Varithena is an injectable foam that treats veins that are causing leg aching. The foam displaces the blood in the vein and causes the vein walls to collapse and seal.
VenaSeal
VenaSeal is a method that can be used for diseased veins. After numbing the area, we use a catheter to deliver a medical adhesive into the vein. This method seals the vein and keeps blood from flowing through. The blood is able to reroute to veins with functioning valves.
Sclerotherapy
During sclerotherapy, we inject a foam or liquid into the vein, depending on its size. At our vein clinics, we can use ultrasound technology to make sure we are placing the solution directly into the desired vein. Sclerotherapy closes abnormal veins and allows for better circulation in the legs.
Ambulatory Phlebectomy
Sometimes the best method for treating diseased veins is removing them. We use techniques during ambulatory phlebectomy that eliminate the use of incisions and provide a faster recovery and easier treatment. We use a 1.5mm punch to access the vein, which is easily removed through the small opening.
Find a Vein Clinic Near You
Many of our patients have deep veins that are not visible to the naked eye. If you are experiencing any of the listed symptoms, it is important that you schedule a free screening with one of our vein physicians. Physicians Vein Clinics employs state-of-the-art technologies in the diagnosis and treatment of vein problems, complemented with compassionate patient care, which results in positive outcomes. Schedule an initial screening with us. We look forward to helping you!
FAQs About Leg Aching
When should I seek immediate medical attention for leg aching?
You should seek immediate medical attention if leg aching is sudden and intense or accompanied by swelling in one leg. Pain with warmth, redness or shortness of breath may be a sign of a blood clot. These symptoms warrant evaluation to rule out deep vein thrombosis or other serious conditions.
Why do my legs ache at night?
Blood pools in the lower legs throughout the day, which can cause more aching at the end of the day. When you lie down, the pressure in the body also shifts, which can cause you to notice more discomfort.
How is the cause of leg aching diagnosed?
The cause of your leg aching will be diagnosed through a vein evaluation and medical history, including a physical exam and tests such as a vascular ultrasound. Using these methods, we can often evaluate blood flow in the veins and arteries and identify any reflux or blockages.
Can untreated vein-related leg aching cause complications?
If your leg aching is related to vein issues, complications can arise without proper treatment. Ongoing pressure in the veins can cause skin changes and a lack of circulation. Reduced circulation means less oxygen to the surrounding tissues, which may cause ulcers and hair loss on the legs, among other complications.