Leg pain: symptoms and relief

Leg pain can show up when you walk to the store, climb stairs, stand at work, or try to exercise. You might notice aching in your calves when you walk, sharp shooting pain down the back of your leg, tightness that builds with running, or a deep ache in the shin that makes you stop your workout. For some people, swelling, night pain, or numbness makes it hard to sleep or sit comfortably.

Leg pain is common and can have many causes, from circulation problems like nerve irritation from the spine, bone stress injuries (incomplete broken bone), and simple overuse. ^{1 2 8 11} The key is spotting serious and time sensitive causes early, while giving most musculoskeletal and nerve related problems enough movement, rehab, and time to improve. ^{1 2 4 5}

What are the symptoms of leg pain?

People with leg pain may notice:

• Dull ache, burning, cramping, or sharp pain anywhere from hip to ankle
• Pain that comes on with walking and eases with rest, often in the calf, thigh, or buttock, which can suggest circulation problems in the arteries (claudication) ^{5 7}
• One leg that is swollen, warm, and tender to touch, sometimes with pitting when you press the skin, which can be a sign of a deep vein clot ^{1 8}
• Tightness or aching in a specific part of the leg that builds during running or exercise and settles within minutes of stopping, sometimes with heaviness or foot drop, as in chronic exertional compartment syndrome (increased pressure in muscle during activity) ¹⁴
• Localised bone pain or pinpoint tenderness along the shin or other bone, worse with impact like running or jumping, which can suggest a bone stress injury or stress fracture ^{11 12 13}
• Diffuse ache along the inner border of the shin in runners, often called shin splints or medial tibial stress syndrome (irritation to the bone and tissues from repetitive impact) ^{11 19}
• Shooting or burning pain that travels down the leg in a narrow band, sometimes with numbness or pins and needles, typical of sciatica or other nerve root irritation ⁴
• Numbness and weakness on the outside of the leg and top of the foot, or a foot that slaps the ground, which can be due to leg nerve irritation ¹⁷
• Burning, tingling, or numbness over the outer thigh without weakness, often worse with tight clothes or belts, which can be meralgia paresthetica (compression of a sensitive nerve) ¹⁸

Disturbed sleep, difficulty standing or walking far, or having to stop and rest often because of leg symptoms

What causes leg pain?

Leg pain has many possible causes. Some are urgent, like a blood clot or blocked artery, and others are more common and relate to how you move, train, or sit. Understanding the “why” behind your symptoms helps guide safe and effective care.

Main cause groups and risk factors include:

• Vascular (blood vessel) causes
• Neurogenic (nerve) causes
• Bone stress injuries and shin pain
• Chronic exertional compartment syndrome

These causes can overlap. For example, a runner may have both bone stress and mild nerve irritation. A person with diabetes may have both nerve and blood vessel disease.

When should I see a doctor?

Many leg aches from overuse or mild strains improve with time, relative rest, and simple care. But some symptoms need urgent medical attention because they can signal serious or limb threatening conditions.

You should also see a doctor or physical therapist soon if:

• Leg pain lasts more than 2 to 4 weeks and does not improve with simple self care
• Pain limits your walking distance or daily activities
• You have back pain with leg pain, weakness, or changes in bladder or bowel control
• You are unsure whether your symptoms might be from a blood clot, circulation problem, or nerve issue

How is leg pain treated?

Treatment for leg pain depends on the cause. Some conditions need urgent medical or surgical care, while many musculoskeletal and nerve conditions improve with movement, exercise, and lifestyle changes. The overall aim is to protect your health, reduce risk, and help you return safely to the things you care about.

Common treatment approaches include:

• Education and activity changes
• Exercise based rehabilitation
• Medications and medical therapy
• Injections and procedures

Recovery time depends on the cause. Some issues settle in weeks once risk is treated and load is adjusted. Others, such as higher grade bone stress injuries or advanced vascular disease, may need months of structured care and long term risk factor management.^{2 11 19 20}

[Diagnosis & Treatment →]

Sword's approach

Sword Health helps people manage pain and movement issues with expert-guided AI care you can use from home. Our model combines clinical support with modern technology, designed to work around your life.

Sword makes recovery easier and more accessible. You get high-quality care at home, guided by clinicians and supported by smart technology.

• Care that adapts to your progress in real time
• Licensed experts guiding every step
• Simple, non-invasive, evidence-based programs
• Proven results for pain relief, movement, and satisfaction

Clinical insight

In vascular leg pain, supervised exercise therapy is not just “fitness training” but a guideline directed treatment for peripheral artery disease. High quality evidence shows that structured walking with repeated short bouts to the point of moderate symptoms can meaningfully improve walking distance and daily function, and should usually be tried before surgery in people with stable claudication.^{2 15 16}