If you recently started experiencing leg pain or have for some time, it's important to understand why. Once you know what’s causing your discomfort, you can create a customized treatment plan with your physician. And while muscle cramps and injuries are common causes of leg discomfort, there are also numerous conditions that cause this pain. Below are typical condition-related reasons to be aware of. 

What Conditions Cause Leg Pain? 

1. Blood Clots

Clots in the legs occur for numerous reasons, including blood vessel injuries and sitting or being bedridden for lengthy periods. Certain medications also increase the risk of blood clots, such as those used for birth control or hormone therapy. If a blood clot occurs in a superficial leg vein, it's known as superficial venous thrombosis, which causes site redness, tenderness, and pain. 

Elevating the legs, exercising, and wearing compression stockings that encourage blood flow up toward the heart helps reduce blood clots. 

2. Varicose Veins

When blood vessels in the legs become twisted or knotted, they allow blood to pool. As blood accumulates, the veins become swollen and raised. Varicose veins are typically blue, red, or purple-colored and can make your legs feel heavy. Throbbing, burning, and cramping sensations are also common. As with blood clots, wearing compression stockings helps alleviate varicose vein symptoms. Treatment can also include sclerotherapy and laser therapy.  

3. Deep Vein Thrombosis 

Blood clots in the leg’s deep veins can result in deep vein thrombosis, with causes including significant inactivity, blood vessel damage from injuries or surgery, and certain medications, such as birth control pills. The affected vessels are raised, turn a reddish or bluish color, and can feel warm to the touch. Leg pain, swelling, and cramping are also common. Without treatment, these and other blood clots can break off and travel into the lungs, causing a serious health issue called a pulmonary embolism that causes chest pain and shortness of breath. 

Treating DVT can include taking blood-thinning medication, wearing compression stockings, exercising, and undergoing surgery to remove the affected veins. 

If you believe your leg pain is blood clot-related, make an appointment at Advanced Varicose Vein Treatments of Manhattan. Serving all of New York City since 2010, this treatment center is led by Dr. Ronald Lev, a vein specialist certified by the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine. Call (888) 356-VEIN (8346) today to make an appointment or learn more about their services online. See the latest before and after photos on Facebook.