Why have I got a dull ache in my leg?

Most leg pain results from wear and tear or overuse. It also can result from injuries or health conditions in joints, bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves or other soft tissues. Some types of leg pain can be traced to problems in your lower spine.

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How do you get rid of dull leg pain?

Home Care
  1. Rest as much as possible.
  2. Elevate your leg.
  3. Apply ice for up to 15 minutes. Do this 4 times per day, more often for the first few days.
  4. Gently stretch and massage cramping muscles.
  5. Take over-the-counter pain medicines such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

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When should I be concerned about leg pain?

See your health care provider as soon as possible if you have: Symptoms of infection, such as redness, warmth or tenderness, or you have a fever greater than100 F (37.8 C). A leg that is swollen, pale or cooler than usual. Calf pain, especially after sitting for a long time, such as on a long car trip or plane ride.

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Can aching legs be serious?

Leg Pain Could Indicate Vein or Artery Disease

Often, leg pain is misdiagnosed as simply muscle aches or arthritis. The reality is leg pain and cramps may be signs of a more serious underlying disease; therefore, you should discuss your leg challenges with a vascular specialist.

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What does a blocked artery in leg feel like?

The narrowing of the arteries causes a decrease in blood flow. Symptoms include leg pain, numbness, cold legs or feet and muscle pain in the thighs, calves or feet. The arteries which supply blood to the leg originate from the aorta and iliac vessels.

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What is Causing My Leg Pain

28 related questions found

Does a blood clot in the leg hurt constantly?

Does blood clot pain come and go? Unlike the pain from a charley horse that usually goes away after stretching or with rest, the pain from a blood clot does not go away and usually gets worse with time.

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Can your legs ache from doing nothing?

Without movement or exercise, the muscles are weakened and deprived of a steady supply of blood, oxygen and nutrients. This, in turn, can lead to muscle pain.

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What diseases start with leg pain?

Leg pain can develop because of many different health conditions, including the following:
  • Baker's cyst.
  • Bone cancer.
  • Bone fracture.
  • Bursitis.
  • Chronic exertional compartment syndrome.
  • Claudication.
  • Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
  • Gout.

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What is vascular leg pain like?

Vascular pain often feels like an uncomfortable heaviness or throbbing sensation. It can also feel like an aching sensation. It usually affects your legs and can be worse with walking or exerting yourself.

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What are the first signs of a blood clot in the leg?

Clues of a Clot
  • swelling of the leg or along a vein in the leg.
  • pain or tenderness in the leg, which you may feel only when standing or walking.
  • increased warmth in the area of the leg that's swollen or painful.
  • red or discolored skin on the leg.
  • unexplained shortness of breath.
  • pain with deep breathing.
  • coughing up blood.

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How long should leg ache last?

Most leg cramps occur in the calf muscles and, less commonly, in the feet and thighs. Cramps can last from a few seconds up to 10 minutes. Thigh muscle cramps tend to last the longest. During a cramping episode, the affected muscles will become tight and painful and the feet and toes will be stiff.

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At what age leg pain starts?

Growing pains are leg pains and soreness that happen to children at night. Growing pains usually start when kids are 3–12 years old.

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Why do I get a dull ache in my legs at night?

Pain in your legs and feet at night, or when trying to sleep, is often a symptom of peripheral artery disease (PAD). Peripheral artery disease leg pain can occur anywhere in your leg, but the most common places to feel pain are in the muscles of your calf, thigh or buttocks.

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What are the types of leg pain?

Identifying the symptoms and their onset can help find an appropriate diagnosis.
  • Leg cramps, or Charley horses. Charley horses are transient episodes of pain that can last for several minutes. ...
  • PAD. ...
  • DVT. ...
  • Shin splints. ...
  • Fractures and stress fractures. ...
  • Achilles tendonitis. ...
  • Hamstring strain. ...
  • Compartment syndrome.

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Why does my left leg hurt at night?

Muscle fatigue – too much high-intensity exercise is one of the most common links to leg pain, as overworking your muscles can cause them to cramp during the night. Nerve issues – a pinched nerve or spinal cord injury can put pressure on your nerves, causing muscle cramps in your legs.

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What is fibromyalgia leg pain like?

What does fibromyalgia leg pain feel like? If you're suffering from fibromyalgia leg pain, you may experience throbbing, shooting, achy, or burning sensations in your legs. Often, you'll feel the pain at your fibro tender points, particularly inside of each knee and on the hip just behind your hipbone.

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Are leg cramps related to heart problems?

Can a leg cramp be a sign of heart problems and/or a stroke? The answer is yes. Poor circulation in the legs' arteries can be a sign of poor circulation in heart arteries.

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Why do my legs ache even though I haven't exercised?

Without regular use, inactive muscles will stiffen and weaken and may shrivel as time goes one. Have you ever noticed leg pain and stiffness after inactivity? It is an early sign of disuse syndrome, if not due to an injury. Weakened muscles are more at risk of injury.

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What happens if your leg hurts everyday?

Chronic leg pain is a primary symptom of peripheral artery disease (PAD), a common and treatable condition in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to your limbs and can threaten your heart.

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Can dehydration cause leg pain?

Dehydration is one of the most common causes of leg cramps. A cramp is an involuntary contraction of a muscle. The fluids in your body allow your muscles to relax, but—when those muscles are dehydrated—they get irritable and prone to cramping.

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What are the 5 warning signs of a blood clot?

A great way to remember the signs of a blood clot is by using the acronym STOP (the) CLOT.
  • Swelling in the leg or arm.
  • Tenderness or cramps in the leg.
  • Out of breath, or shortness of breath.
  • Passing out or feeling lightheaded.
  • Chest pain or back pain when breathing.
  • Leg discoloration, either a red or blue hue.

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What are the 10 signs of a blood clot in your leg?

Arms, Legs
  • Swelling. This can happen in the exact spot where the blood clot forms, or your entire leg or arm could puff up.
  • Change in color. You might notice that your arm or leg takes on a red or blue tinge, or gets itchy.
  • Pain. ...
  • Warm skin. ...
  • Trouble breathing. ...
  • Lower leg cramp. ...
  • Pitting edema. ...
  • Swollen, painful veins.

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How do I know if leg pain is a clot?

Symptoms of DVT (deep vein thrombosis)

throbbing pain in 1 leg (rarely both legs), usually in the calf or thigh, when walking or standing up. swelling in 1 leg (rarely both legs) warm skin around the painful area. red or darkened skin around the painful area – this may be harder to see on brown or black skin.

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