Legs
Leg pain
Aching, cramping or sharp pain in one or both legs, from a range of muscle, joint, nerve or blood-vessel causes.
Education and reference only. This explains the common causes of leg pain and the warning signs that need urgent help, in plain language — it is not a diagnosis or a substitute for advice from a clinician. If you feel very unwell or are worried, seek medical help.
Quick answer
What is leg pain?
Leg pain is very common and can come from the muscles, joints, nerves, bones or blood vessels. Most leg pain is short-lived and linked to overuse, a minor strain or wear-and-tear in a joint.
- Get urgent help: One calf that is swollen, warm, red and painful – a possible DVT needing urgent same-day assessment. A leg that is suddenly cold, pale, numb or painful – a possible blocked artery; call 999.
- Self-care: For everyday leg pain from a strain or overuse, rest the leg, raise it when sitting, and use a cold pack wrapped in a cloth for the first day or two, then gentle warmth afterwards.
About leg pain
Leg pain is very common and can come from the muscles, joints, nerves, bones or blood vessels. Most leg pain is short-lived and linked to overuse, a minor strain or wear-and-tear in a joint. Some patterns, though, point to causes that need prompt attention, such as a clot in a deep vein, a blocked artery, or a trapped nerve in the back. Where the pain is, what brings it on and eases it, and whether one leg is swollen, cold or changing colour all help work out the cause. Pain that comes on with walking and eases with rest, or a single swollen, warm calf, deserves particular attention.
When to get help
Call 999 or go to A&E if leg pain comes with any of these warning signs:
- One calf that is swollen, warm, red and painful – a possible DVT needing urgent same-day assessment.
- A leg that is suddenly cold, pale, numb or painful – a possible blocked artery; call 999.
- Cramping calf pain on walking that eases with rest – a possible sign of peripheral arterial disease.
- Leg pain with chest pain or breathlessness – a possible clot on the lung; call 999.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if leg pain is severe, keeps coming back, or does not improve over a couple of weeks of self-care. Get checked sooner if the pain limits how far you can walk, comes with numbness, weakness or pins and needles down the leg, or follows an injury that may have caused a fracture. A swollen, painful joint, or pain that is clearly affecting your sleep and daily life, is also worth getting assessed.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
What can cause it
Common causes of leg pain
Leg pain has many possible causes. Each links to a full, plain-language guide to that condition — what it is, how it's treated and when to seek help.
What helps
Self-care and what you can do
For everyday leg pain from a strain or overuse, rest the leg, raise it when sitting, and use a cold pack wrapped in a cloth for the first day or two, then gentle warmth afterwards. Keeping moving within comfortable limits, rather than staying completely still, usually helps muscle and joint pain recover. Comfortable, supportive footwear and gentle stretching can ease cramps and aches. If you smoke and have cramping pain on walking, stopping smoking and staying active are among the most helpful things you can do for your circulation.
Answers
Leg pain: frequently asked questions
When is leg pain an emergency?
Call 999 if a leg suddenly becomes cold, pale, numb or painful, or if leg pain comes with chest pain or breathlessness. Seek urgent same-day assessment for one calf that is swollen, warm, red and painful, as this may be a clot in a deep vein.
What does cramping calf pain when walking mean?
Calf pain that comes on while walking and eases with rest can be a sign of narrowed leg arteries reducing blood flow. It is worth getting checked, especially if you smoke or have heart or circulation problems, as it can be managed.
How can I ease ordinary leg pain at home?
For a strain or overuse, rest and raise the leg, use a wrapped cold pack early on, and keep moving gently within comfortable limits. Supportive footwear and gentle stretching help, and you should avoid staying completely still for long.
Can back problems cause leg pain?
Yes. An irritated or trapped nerve in the lower back can send pain shooting down the leg, often with numbness or pins and needles. If leg pain comes with these nerve-type symptoms or weakness, it is worth having it assessed.
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NICE CKS: Deep vein thrombosis.
- British Heart Foundation.
Related symptoms
Tell us what you need. We'll route it to the right expert.
Request a proposal, book a scoping call, or speak to our team directly.