Leg pain is common for everyone. However, if the pain keeps occurring frequently, then you might have something to worry about.

Every kind of outdoor sports or recreational activities has one thing in common - leg pain. It is one of the most common medical complaints doctors come across. The most common cause of the pain is an injury that can occur in activities such as mentioned above. Older adults, however, are more vulnerable to develop it due to underlying medical conditions. The pain originates from somewhere between the pelvis and the heels. It is important to know that leg pain does not have to originate from the leg itself, but it can be a radiated pain from the spinal area of the body. In this case, the pain is known as a 'referred pain'. Leg pain may appear suddenly or gradually, or it may be localized or affect the entire area. Some people may feel the pain as a sharp sting or in a stabbing form, while some may have a dull, or a tingling sensation in the affected area.

Conditions Associated With Leg Pain

Right leg pain or pain in the left leg for that matter, is not associated with a sole condition but many. Commonly, injuries to the leg might occur from overuse of muscles or injuries caused to the bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, etc. Then there are some severe medical conditions that affect the blood vessels in the legs thus, causing the pain, and there are certain infections of the bones such as osteomyelitis, that may also be one of the offenders. Speaking of overuse of muscles, the injuries that may be caused to the various parts of the leg may include:

• Bursitis (inflammation of the bursa - a structure that lessens the friction between muscles, tendons and bones.)
• Plantar fasciitis
• Shin splints (painful condition of the bone at the front of the lower leg)
• Stress fractures (overuse may cause tiny cracks in the bones of the legs)
• Tendinitis (irritation or inflammation of a tendon)
• Chronic strain (tearing of muscle or tendon; occurs due to overuse or repetitive use of muscles)

Coming to conditions affecting the blood vessels, common offenders may include like deep vein thrombosis (DVT), peripheral arterial disease (narrowed arteries), phlebitis (inflammation of a vein), varicose veins (dilated veins), and peripheral neuropathy (pain and numbness caused by nerve damage; most common cause is diabetes).

Right or left leg pain may also be caused by:

• Muscles cramps caused by dehydration
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Lupus
• Mini stroke (transient ischemic attack)
• Achilles tendinitis (inflammation of the tendon that connects the calf muscles to the heel)
• Broken leg
• Chronic exertional compartment syndrome (rare condition caused due to repetitive exercises)
• Fibromyalgia (widespread pain throughout the body)
• Gout (severe form of arthritis; often affects the joint at the base of the big toe)
• Injury to the hamstring
• Torn meniscus (caused by forcefully twisting or rotating the knee)
• Night leg cramps (could be a complication of peripheral artery disease or diabetes)
• Osteoarthritis (common form of arthritis; mostly affects people after middle age)
• Rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune disorder; causes inflammation of small joints in hands and feet)
• Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and Osgood-Schlatter disease (seen only in children)
• Sciatica (pain that radiates right from the back down to the buttocks and legs)
• Tumors or cysts of the femur or tibia
• Cancerous bone rumors

Right or left leg pain during pregnancy is a common bother with expecting mothers. This mainly happens as a result of nutritional deficiencies which occur because of the rise in the blood volume in the body. That is why mothers are advised to have a nutritional diet, especially during this period of their lives. At home, patients are advised to rest, keep the affected leg at an elevated position, apply ice when necessary, and massage gently to reduce the pain. Taking over the counter pain relievers also help. And if the pain, or swelling persist or are getting worse, then go for a medical check up to rule out potential problems.