Pain In Limb
What are the Causes Limb Pain? – Injuries and overuse are the most widely recognized causes of limb pain; however individuals more often than not understand thecauses of these injuries. This covers limb pain unrelated to damage or strain.
- The most common causes of Limb Pain are:
- • Clotting of blood in a deep vein
- • Bacterial infection; this takes place on the skin
- • Spinal nerve root pressure
- • Heart attack
- • Bone infection
- • Nerve problems
- It is also important to know that various genuine conditions as well as injuries may bring about limb pain. Never disregard continuous limb pain as it may be the beginning of a severe problem
Contents
What can cause pain in limbs?
Leg pain is a symptom with many possible causes. Most leg pain results from wear and tear or overuse. It also can result from injuries or health conditions in joints, bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves or other soft tissues. Some types of leg pain can be traced to problems in your lower spine.
- Gout
- Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (formerly known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis)
- Osteoarthritis
- Pseudogout
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Reactive arthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Blood flow problems
- Claudication
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
- Thrombophlebitis
- Varicose veins
Bone conditions
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Bone cancer
- Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
- Osteochondritis dissecans
- Paget’s disease of bone
Infection
- Cellulitis
- Infection
- Osteomyelitis
- Septic arthritis
Injury
- Achilles tendinitis
- Achilles tendon rupture
- ACL injury
- Broken leg
- Bursitis
- Chronic exertional compartment syndrome
- Growth plate fractures
- Hamstring injury
- Knee bursitis
- Muscle strains
- Patellar tendinitis
- Patellofemoral pain syndrome
- Shin splints
- Sprains
- Stress fractures
- Tendinitis
- Torn meniscus
Nerve problems
- Herniated disk
- Meralgia paresthetica
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Sciatica
- Spinal stenosis
Muscle conditions
- Dermatomyositis
- Medicines, especially the cholesterol medicines known as statins
- Myositis
- Polymyositis
Other problems
- Baker cyst
- Growing pains
- Muscle cramp
- Night leg cramps
- Restless legs syndrome
- Low levels of certain vitamins, such as vitamin D
- Too much or too little of electrolytes, such as calcium or potassium
Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.
How do you treat limb pain?
Topic Resources Limb pain may be constant or occur irregularly. Pain may be precipitated by motion or have no relation to movement. Other symptoms, such as warmth, redness, numbness, or tingling, may also be present, depending on the cause of the limb pain.
Injuries and overuse are the most common causes of pain in a limb, but people usually know when these events are the cause of their pain. This discussion covers limb pain unrelated to injury or strain. Among the disorders that cause such limb pain, most affect the legs more than the arms. There are many causes.
The most common causes are the following: Uncommon but serious causes that require immediate evaluation and treatment include
Deep soft-tissue infection
It is particularly important to make sure the person does not have a sudden blockage of an artery because the limb can develop gangrene if there is no blood flow for more than a few hours. The following information can help people decide when a doctor’s evaluation is needed and help them know what to expect during the evaluation.
Sudden, severe pain Limb that is cold to the touch or pale Chest pain, sweating, shortness of breath, or palpitations Signs of severe illness (for example, confusion, fever, or collapse) Limb that is suddenly swollen, blistered, or has black spots Risk factors for deep vein thrombosis, such as recent surgery, bed rest, or a cast on a leg New nerve deficits, such as weakness or numbness of the affected limb
People who have warning signs should see a doctor right away. People without warning signs should call a doctor. The doctor will decide how quickly the person needs to be seen based on the symptoms, age, and presence of other medical disorders. Doctors first ask questions about the person’s symptoms and medical history.
How long limb pain has been present Whether pain occurs at certain times or during specific activities How intense the pain is Whether the pain is sharp or throbbing Where the pain is located What activities trigger or worsen pain What the person does to relieve pain What other symptoms (such as numbness or tingling) occur along with the pain
The painful limb is inspected for color, swelling, and any skin or hair changes. The doctor also checks for pulses, temperature, tenderness, and crepitation (a subtle crackling sensation indicating gas in the soft tissue caused by a serious infection). The best way to treat limb pain is to treat the underlying disorder. Analgesics such as acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can help relieve pain. Sometimes opioids are needed.
In people with sudden, severe pain, blood flow to the limb has often been stopped or reduced and testing must be done quickly. Symptoms and characteristics found during the doctor’s examination usually provide clues to the cause of limb pain.
NOTE: This is the Consumer Version. DOCTORS: VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION Copyright © 2023 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and its affiliates. All rights reserved.
What causes pain in the upper limb?
Upper extremity pain can result from many overlapping etiologies. These can be categorized into anatomic regions and specific organ systems. Anatomically, pain etiologies are classified into four major groups: neurologic, musculoskeletal, vascular, and other (eg, tumor, infection).
Why do I have pain in my arm and leg?
Arm or leg pain can also be a symptom of a pinched nerve. Pinched nerves can be caused by the narrowing of the spine (spinal stenosis), arthritis in the joints, or a herniated disc. These conditions cause pressure to be placed on the nerve.
What are the signs of limb pain?
Topic Resources Limb pain may be constant or occur irregularly. Pain may be precipitated by motion or have no relation to movement. Other symptoms, such as warmth, redness, numbness, or tingling, may also be present, depending on the cause of the limb pain.
Injuries and overuse are the most common causes of pain in a limb, but people usually know when these events are the cause of their pain. This discussion covers limb pain unrelated to injury or strain. Among the disorders that cause such limb pain, most affect the legs more than the arms. There are many causes.
The most common causes are the following: Uncommon but serious causes that require immediate evaluation and treatment include
Deep soft-tissue infection
It is particularly important to make sure the person does not have a sudden blockage of an artery because the limb can develop gangrene if there is no blood flow for more than a few hours. The following information can help people decide when a doctor’s evaluation is needed and help them know what to expect during the evaluation.
Sudden, severe pain Limb that is cold to the touch or pale Chest pain, sweating, shortness of breath, or palpitations Signs of severe illness (for example, confusion, fever, or collapse) Limb that is suddenly swollen, blistered, or has black spots Risk factors for deep vein thrombosis, such as recent surgery, bed rest, or a cast on a leg New nerve deficits, such as weakness or numbness of the affected limb
People who have warning signs should see a doctor right away. People without warning signs should call a doctor. The doctor will decide how quickly the person needs to be seen based on the symptoms, age, and presence of other medical disorders. Doctors first ask questions about the person’s symptoms and medical history.
How long limb pain has been present Whether pain occurs at certain times or during specific activities How intense the pain is Whether the pain is sharp or throbbing Where the pain is located What activities trigger or worsen pain What the person does to relieve pain What other symptoms (such as numbness or tingling) occur along with the pain
The painful limb is inspected for color, swelling, and any skin or hair changes. The doctor also checks for pulses, temperature, tenderness, and crepitation (a subtle crackling sensation indicating gas in the soft tissue caused by a serious infection). The best way to treat limb pain is to treat the underlying disorder. Analgesics such as acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can help relieve pain. Sometimes opioids are needed.
In people with sudden, severe pain, blood flow to the limb has often been stopped or reduced and testing must be done quickly. Symptoms and characteristics found during the doctor’s examination usually provide clues to the cause of limb pain.
NOTE: This is the Consumer Version. DOCTORS: VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION Copyright © 2023 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and its affiliates. All rights reserved.
Where is limb pain?
What is Limb Pain? Described By Pain Management Doctors Pain may affect the entire part of a leg or arm. Most condition that causes limb pain affects the legs. Limb pain may be steady or may occur sporadically. Pain may be triggered by movement or may have no connection to development.
What is ghost pain?
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Phantom pain | |
|---|---|
| Specialty | Neurology |
Phantom pain is a perception that an individual experiences relating to a limb or an organ that is not physically part of the body, either because it was removed or was never there in the first place. However, phantom limb sensations can also occur following nerve avulsion or spinal cord injury.
- Phantom eye syndrome can occur after eye loss.
- Sensations are recorded most frequently following the amputation of an arm or a leg, but may also occur following the removal of a breast, tooth, or an internal organ.
- Phantom limb pain is the feeling of pain in an absent limb or a portion of a limb.
- The pain sensation varies from individual to individual.
Phantom limb sensation is any sensory phenomenon (except pain) which is felt at an absent limb or a portion of the limb. It has been known that at least 80% of amputees experience phantom sensations at some time of their lives. Some experience some level of this phantom pain and feeling in the missing limb for the rest of their lives.
What is neuropathic pain?
Table – Drug treatment for neuropathic pain – updated recommendations from the International Association for the Study of Pain
| Recommendation | Drugs |
|---|---|
| First-line | SNRI – duloxetine, venlafaxine |
| Tricyclic antidepressants | |
| Gabapentin, pregabalin | |
| Second-line | Capsaicin 8% patches |
| Lidocaine (lignocaine) patches | |
| Tramadol | |
| Third-line | Strong opioids |
The review included tricyclic antidepressants, serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), antiepileptic drugs, opioids, topical lidocaine (lignocaine), capsaicin high-concentration patches and oromucosal cannabinoids. A number of overarching themes were identified:
most studies were conducted in diabetic neuropathy or postherpetic neuralgia publication bias accounted for approximately 10% of the treatment effect placebo effect was large drug effects were modest4 data did not identify that one particular drug or drug class was superior in any particular neuropathic pain syndrome the majority of studies were for 12 weeks or less data were limited to non-cancer pain in adults.
Should I be worried about upper leg pain?
What causes pain in the upper inner thigh and groin? – You can get inner thigh pain near your groin from many conditions that cause upper thigh pain. Other causes include a hernia, pregnancy, or kidney stones. Learn about the causes of inner thigh pain.
Can high BP cause limb pain?
How does high blood pressure cause PAD? – High blood pressure can damage your arteries, Fatty deposits, known as plaques, can build up in the damaged areas, making the arteries narrower. This process is called atherosclerosis. Over time these plaques can become harder, making the arteries stiffer.
This narrowing and stiffening of the arteries means less blood can flow through them, restricting the blood supply to the part of the body they lead to. When the arteries leading to the legs and feet are affected, this is PAD. What else causes PAD? The lifestyle factors which lead to high blood pressure can also lead to PAD, in particular, smoking, being overweight or obese, lack of activity, an unhealthy diet, and drinking too much alcohol.
Other things which can mean you’re at higher risk are:
age – about 20% of people aged over 60 have some degree of PAD high blood cholesterol – which can be laid down in the arteries diabetes – as diabetes can damage the blood vessels coronary artery disease being male – PAD tends to affect men more than women a family history of diseases affecting the blood vessels, including heart disease and stroke chronic kidney disease
The NHS has more information on what causes PAD and how you can prevent it.
What is disease of the upper limb?
Upper limb disorders (ULDs) are aches, pains, tension and disorders involving any part of the arm from fingers to shoulder or the neck. ULDs include problems with the soft tissues, muscles, tendons and ligaments, along with the circulatory and nerve supply to the limb. Upper limb disorders are often caused or made worse by work.
When should I be worried about muscle pain?
Get medical care right away or go to the emergency room if you have muscle pain with: –
- Trouble breathing or dizziness.
- Extreme muscle weakness with problems doing routine daily activities.
- A high fever and stiff neck.
- A severe injury that keeps you from moving, especially if you have bleeding or other injuries.
What is limb pain called?
If you’ve had an amputation (limb loss), you may develop phantom pain. The pain is real, but it feels like it’s happening in the missing body part. This condition may gradually go away. Some people have residual limb pain in the remaining part of the limb.
What virus causes limb pain?
The most frequent viral causes of myositis are the influenza viruses and enteroviruses, with symptoms of myositis typically starting a few days after the onset of fever. Symptoms are most prominent in the proximal musculature (arms and legs), and pain is often exacerbated by movement.
What is pain in a limb that is not there?
Continuing Education Activity – Phantom limb pain is the perception of pain or discomfort in a limb that is no longer there. PLP most commonly presents as a sequela of amputation. The underlying pathophysiology remains poorly understood. The condition should be differentiated from other related clinical conditions such as residual limb pain, which was formerly called “stump pain” and is pain that originates from the actual site of the amputated limb that tends to resolve with wound healing.
Describe the epidemiology of phantom limb pain. Review the presentation of a patient with phantom limb pain. Outline the treatment options for phantom limb pain. Explain the importance of improving coordination amongst interprofessional team members to optimize outcomes for patients suffering from phantom limb pain.
Access free multiple choice questions on this topic.
What virus causes limb pain?
The most frequent viral causes of myositis are the influenza viruses and enteroviruses, with symptoms of myositis typically starting a few days after the onset of fever. Symptoms are most prominent in the proximal musculature (arms and legs), and pain is often exacerbated by movement.
What vitamin deficiency causes arm and leg pain?
What is vitamin D deficiency? – Vitamin D deficiency is the state of having inadequate amounts of vitamin D in your body, which may cause health problems like brittle bones and muscle weakness. There may be no symptoms and doctors don’t routinely check vitamin D levels, so many people are deficient and don’t realize it.
Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorus, which are important to bone health. When a person is very vitamin D deficient, they cannot absorb dietary calcium well; having adequate levels is important to absorb adequate amounts of calcium from your diet. Healthy vitamin D levels also help to improve phosphorus absorption from your diet.
People typically get enough vitamin D from sun exposure: When sunlight hits the skin, the skin converts that ultraviolet radiation to vitamin D. People also get vitamin D from certain foods—including fish, egg yolks, and fortified milk and cereal—or dietary supplements.
