Pain in the upper leg and lower leg are common problems. Leg pain can present itself as a sharp, stabbing sensation or simply a dull ache. Sprains and strains are common causes of leg pain, often from overuse of the leg muscles during sports or other exercise. Pain in the quadriceps, groin, and hamstrings are especially common in athletes who rely on speed in their sport, such as sprinters, soccer players, football players, rugby players, lacrosse players, and basketball players. Quite common, these muscular injuries are often easily treatable by a physical therapist. Other areas in the upper leg and lower leg that are susceptible to pain are the calves, shins, and knees.

Symptoms of leg pain:

• Pain when stretching or flexing thigh muscles
• Broken blood vessels on leg
• Bruising on the leg
• Leg swelling
• Weak legs
• Muscle spasms in the leg

Possible reasons for leg pain:

• Atherosclerosis
• Peripheral Vascular Disease
• Deep Vein Thrombosis
• Sports injuries
• Blood clot in the leg
• Arthritis in the leg
• Osgood-Schlatter disease
• Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
• Tendinitis
• Gout
• Nerve damage in the leg
• Muscle cramps (“charley horse”)
• Acute leg injury
• Slipped disc (herniated disc)
• Varicose veins
• Dehydration
• Overuse of leg muscles
• Torn leg muscle
• Inflamed leg tendon
• “Shin splints”