When caused by vascular disease, patients experience leg pain, cramping, and dull achiness that often worsens over the course of the day. Sitting, standing, walking and even lying down can aggravate the pain. Cramping can indicate fluid building up in legs due to venous pressure. At its worst, leg pain can prevent a person from being mobile.
Cramping Leg Pain can be caused by the following:
Leg pain has many possible causes. It can result from arthritis, overuse, injury, or other damage to bones, joints and soft tissue. However, dull, heavy, crampy achiness described by patients is often caused by vascular disease in which legs are not getting adequate blood flow, have blood clots, and/or arteries and veins are not functioning properly.
Vascular conditions for which leg pain is a symptom include:
When vascular disease is present, there is no way to completely prevent leg pain. However, patients can lower the risk of vascular disease and accompanying leg pain by living a healthy lifestyle. A balanced diet, not carrying extra pounds, and regular exercise can improve blood flow and circulation.
Leg pain should not be ignored. It is important to find the underlying cause of leg pain. If vascular disease is suspected, physicians will perform an ultrasound to see if venous insufficiency is present. If so, vascular specialists will diagnose the condition and recommend a treatment plan. Untreated vascular disease can lead to more severe consequences, including ulcers, amputation, stroke and even death.
Depending on the severity of leg pain and underlying condition, physicians may first recommend conservative treatments such as rest, compression stockings and physical therapy. If more intervention is needed, minimally invasive procedures can restore circulation and reduce leg pain.
If you are struggling with leg pain that makes it difficult to sleep, walk, or engage in everyday activities, contact Alliance to schedule your initial consultation. As an interventional radiologist who specializes in vascular disease, Dr. Jilbert Eradat is well-qualified to diagnose and treat the root cause of leg pain. He will perform a detailed clinical evaluation that may include lab testing and vascular testing such as duplex ultrasound to determine the cause of your leg pain and recommend appropriate treatment.
If you have symptoms of Claudication or any other leg problems, Dr. Jilbert Eradat can help. With expertise in diagnosing and treating PAD, Dr. Eradat gives each patient individualized attention. Major insurance plans and Medicare accepted.