Leg Pain

Alternate Names : Pain in the Leg

What can be done to prevent the condition?

Many cases of leg pain cannot be prevented, but prevention is related to the cause. For example, atherosclerosis can often be avoided by not smoking, eating a good diet, and exercising regularly. Controlling blood sugar levels with diet, exercise, and medications can sometimes prevent diabetic neuropathy.

What are the long-term effects of the condition?

Long-term effects are related to the cause of the pain. Pain can be severe and make a person unable to perform normal activities. Chronic pain can also cause stress, sleep disorders, and depression.

Infections can often be treated with antibiotics and may have no long-term effects. A deep venous thrombosis in the leg can break off and travel through the bloodstream to the lungs, a condition called pulmonary embolus.

What are the risks to others?

Leg pain is not contagious and poses no risk to others.