Leg Pain Specialist

What is leg pain?

Leg pain includes any discomfort that affects your leg. The pain can be constant, or it can come and go. It can develop suddenly or gradually over time.

The pain you feel could be dull and achy or burning and itchy. You can expect muscle aches in your legs after a long day of walking or standing. But leg pain that shows up unexpectedly or only appears when you walk or climb stairs can be a symptom of a vascular problem.  

What vascular conditions cause leg pain?

Most leg pain is caused by injuries or overuse that affects the musculoskeletal portion of your legs. But it’s also a common symptom of many vascular conditions, including:

Peripheral artery disease (PAD)

Leg pain that comes while you walk or climb stairs but then goes away when you stop is a common symptom of peripheral artery disease. This kind of leg pain is called claudication.

PAD is narrowed or blocked peripheral arteries caused by the buildup of plaque.

Venous insufficiency

Venous insufficiency affects the circulation in the veins in your legs caused by weak or broken valves. Venous insufficiency can cause leg cramping and aching.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

DVT is a blood clot in a deep vein, most often in the leg or pelvis. Though DVT may not cause any symptoms, it can cause leg pain or cramping, as well as swelling and tenderness.

Varicose veins

Varicose veins affect the superficial veins (those on or just below the skin surface). They can point to a disease called venous insufficiency. Varicose veins don’t always cause symptoms, but they can cause your legs to feel achy at the end of a long day.

What happens during a leg pain evaluation?

The Sarasota Vascular Specialists team conducts a thorough exam. They do several tests to determine the root cause of your pain so that they can provide the proper care.

Your provider reviews your symptoms and medical history, then examines your legs. They conduct several tests to confirm or rule out a vascular condition. Tests can include:

• Ankle-brachial index (ABI) — comparing blood pressure in your arm and ankle
• Vascular ultrasound to assess circulation
• Diagnostic angiogram — X-ray of your blood vessels
• Blood work

Once they find the underlying vascular condition causing your leg pain, the team creates a treatment plan to ease your symptoms and improve circulation.

Leg pain isn’t a normal symptom associated with aging. To find out what’s causing your leg pain, call Sarasota Vascular Specialists or schedule an appointment online today.