Leg Injuries and Disorders
Introduction
Your legs are important for standing and movement.
Common leg injuries include sprains and strains, joint
dislocations and fractures. Injuries can affect the entire leg
or just the foot, ankle, knee or hip. Certain diseases also
lead to leg problems. Some leg problems that are common
in older people can cause pain and limit your range of
motion. The veins in your legs can also be affected and lead
to certain health conditions.
This reference summary explains leg injuries and disorders. It discusses the anatomy
of the legs, common causes of leg pain and how to keep your legs healthy.
Anatomy of the Legs
Your legs are made up of bones, blood vessels, muscles and other
connective tissue. Blood vessels carry blood from the heart and lungs
to the legs. The blood nourishes and cleanses the body’s tissues. The
femur, or thigh bone, is a large bone in the upper leg. It connects the
knee joint and lower leg bones to the pelvic bone, or hip joint. The
bones in the lower part of the leg include the tibia and a smaller bone
called the fibula.
The hamstrings are the muscles that form the back of the thigh. They
allow you to flex your knee and hip. The inner thigh muscles are called
the adductors. The quadriceps is a group of four muscles at the front of
your thigh. They allow you to move your knee.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2014, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 02/26/2014
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The muscles in the lower leg allow the toes and ankles to move. These muscles
include the:
• Tibialis anterior, a strip of muscle on your shin that allows you to flex
your ankle.
• Extensor digitorum longus, a muscle that connects the leg to the foot.
• Gastrocnemius muscle, which gives your feet the ability to take
steps.
• Soleus muscle, which works with and lies under the gastrocnemius.
There are also ligaments and tendons in the legs. A ligament is a tough
band of tissue that holds bones or organs in place. A tendon is a cord of
tissue that attaches muscle to bone.
Leg Pain
Leg pain can be constant or intermittent. It may develop suddenly or gradually. The
pain may affect your entire leg or just one area, such as your
shin or your knee.
Leg pain can also take a number of forms. You may feel:
• An aching or tingling feeling in the leg.
• Sharp or dull leg pain.
• Stabbing leg pain.
Some leg pain is simply annoying. But more severe leg pain can
affect your ability to walk or to put weight on your leg. Most leg
pain results from injuries, wear and tear or overuse.
Talk to your health care provider if you have:
• Pain during or after walking.
• Pain that gets worse or does not improve after a few days.
• Swelling in both legs.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2014, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 02/26/2014
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Leg Injuries
Playing sports, running, falling or having an accident can damage your legs.
Common leg injuries include:
• Fractures, or broken bones.
• Joint dislocations.
• Muscle cramps.
• Pulled or torn muscles.
• Shin splints.
• Sprains and strains.
• Tendon rupture, or tear.
Shin splints are the inflammation of the ligaments
and other connective tissue along your tibia bone.
Seek medical help right away if you:
• Are unable to walk or put weight on your leg.
• Have a leg injury with a deep cut or exposed
bone or tendon.
• Have pain, swelling or redness in your calf.
• Hear a popping or grinding sound when you
injure your leg.
Leg Disorders
Certain diseases can lead to leg problems. For example, knee osteoarthritis can cause
pain and limited motion. This disorder is common in older people.
Other disorders that can affect the legs include:
• Edema.
• Restless legs syndrome, or RLS.
Edema means swelling caused by fluid in the body's tissues. It usually
happens in the feet, ankles and legs, but it can involve the entire body.
RLS is a disorder that causes a strong urge to move your legs. It causes
the legs to become uncomfortable when a person is sitting or lying down.
Moving can provide temporary relief. Problems in the spine can cause
pinching of the nerves and can lead to severe leg pain and weakness.
This is commonly known as sciatica.
Edema
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2014, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 02/26/2014
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Problems in the veins in your legs can lead to varicose veins or deep vein thrombosis,
or DVT. Varicose veins are swollen, twisted veins that you can see just
under the skin. DVT is a blood clot that forms in a vein. Most deep vein
clots happen in the lower leg or thigh. A DVT can break loose and
cause a serious problem in the lung, called a pulmonary embolism. This
can lead to death. Sitting still for a long time can make you more likely
to get a DVT. Some medicines and disorders that increase your risk for
blood clots can also lead to DVTs.
Peripheral artery disease, or PAD, is a common circulatory problem.
When you develop the condition, your legs do not receive enough blood
flow. This may cause leg pain when walking. PAD is also likely to be a
sign of a more widespread buildup of fatty deposits in your arteries.
Diseases such as PAD, diabetes, infections or cancer could lead to the
death of tissue in the leg. When this happens, the leg will become cold
and painful. This may mean that the leg has to be amputated.
Varicose Veins
You should seek medical treatment if you have:
• A leg that is swollen, pale or unusually cold.
• Calf pain, particularly after sitting for a long
time.
• Signs of infection in your leg, such as
redness, warmth or tenderness or a fever.
• Swelling in both legs along with breathing
problems.
Self Care
Minor leg pain often responds well to home
treatments. To relieve mild pain and swelling, stay
off your affected leg as much as possible. Try
over-the-counter pain relievers, such as
ibuprofen. Apply an ice pack or bag of frozen
peas to the affected area for 15 to 20 minutes,
three times a day. Elevate your leg whenever
you sit or lie down.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2014, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 02/26/2014
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Lifestyle habits can help you keep your body and your legs healthy. To prevent plaque
buildup and allow enough blood to flow to your legs:
• Do not smoke and avoid secondhand smoke.
• Eat a healthy, low fat diet.
Controlling diabetes and other diseases can help decrease the chances of leg disorder
complications. Maintain a healthy weight. Every pound that you are overweight puts
about 5 extra pounds of pressure on your knees.
Exercise regularly and safely to develop strong and flexible
leg muscles. Talk to your health care provider about leg
exercises that are right for you. Activities may include:
• Balance exercises, such as yoga.
• Leg strengthening exercises.
• Riding a bike.
• Running, jogging or walking.
• Swimming.
Wash your legs every day using soap and warm water.
Apply lotion to dry skin. Take a few minutes every day to massage the muscles in your
legs. The right shoes and socks can protect your feet and keep your legs healthy.
Wear comfortable shoes that fit your feet. The toe end should allow all toes to wiggle.
Avoid crossing your legs when sitting to prevent varicose veins. Wearing loose clothing
and avoiding long periods of standing can also help.
Medical Treatments
Some leg injuries and disorders may require medical
treatment. Broken bones may be treated with a cast
or splint. Sometimes surgery is needed to put in
plates, pins or screws to keep the bone in place. It
depends on how severe the break is and where it is
located.
Tendon rupture may also be treated with a cast,
depending on which tendon is affected. Surgery is
often needed to stitch the torn tendon back together.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2014, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 02/26/2014
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Treatment for edema depends on the cause. Your health care provider may
recommend keeping your legs raised when sitting, wearing support stockings and
limiting how much salt you eat. Restless legs syndrome may be
treated with lifestyle changes, including regular sleep habits,
relaxation techniques and exercise. If those do not work, medicines
may reduce symptoms.
Treatment for deep vein thrombosis includes medicines to:
• Break up clots.
• Ease pain and inflammation.
• Keep new clots from forming.
If you are taking a long car or plane trip, take a break and walk or
stretch your legs. Drink plenty of liquids.
Peripheral artery disease may be treated with medicines that:
• Control blood sugar levels.
• Lower cholesterol or blood pressure.
• Prevent blood clots.
• Relieve symptoms.
In some cases, treatment may also include surgery. Leg pain due to spine issues may
respond to physical therapy and injections of steroids around the nerves. A surgical
operation may also be needed.
Summary
Your legs are important for standing and movement. Your legs are made up of bones,
blood vessels, muscles and other connective tissue. Leg pain can be constant or
intermittent. It may develop suddenly or
gradually. The pain may affect your entire leg or
just one area, such as your shin or your knee.
Most leg pain results from:
• Injuries in joints or bones or in muscles,
ligaments, tendons or other soft tissues.
• Wear and tear.
• Overuse.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2014, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 02/26/2014
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Certain diseases also lead to leg problems. Some leg problems that are common in
older people can cause pain and limit your range of motion. The veins in your legs can
also be affected, which can lead to certain health conditions. Minor leg pain often
responds well to home treatments. But some leg injuries and disorders may require
medical treatment.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2014, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 02/26/2014
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7