Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a common cause of intermittent leg pain The condition is due to atherosclerosis or a narrowing of arteries While this condition can affect your body anywhere, it can affect your leg or legs Sharp, shooting leg pain that gets worse when climbing stairs or walking
When should I be concerned about leg pain when walking?
See your doctor as soon as possible if you have: Signs of infection, such as redness, warmth or tenderness, or you have a fever greater than100 F (378 C) A leg that is swollen, pale or unusually cool Calf pain, particularly after prolonged sitting, such as on a long car trip or plane ride
What causes sharp needle pain in legs?
Leg paresthesia is a sensation of tingling (feeling of “pins and needles”) or burning in the leg that occurs without stimulation It can result from a previous leg injury or pressure on a nerve in the leg Other causes include damage to nerves in the leg from exposure to extreme heat or cold or to toxic compounds
What causes random stabbing pains?
Nerve pain often feels like a shooting, stabbing or burning sensation Sometimes it can be as sharp and sudden as an electric shock People with neuropathic pain are often very sensitive to touch or cold and can experience pain as a result of stimuli that would not normally be painful, such as brushing the skin
What are the signs of clogged arteries in your legs?
Claudication is a symptom of a narrowing or blockage of an artery Typical symptoms of claudication include: Pain, a burning feeling, or a tired feeling in the legs and buttocks when you walk Shiny, hairless, blotchy foot skin that may get sores
How do I know if my leg pain is serious?
Seek immediate medical attention if you observe these symptoms: Fever and other signs of infection Bluish or blackish colored leg Cold and pale legs Swelling of legs with breathing difficulties Unable to put more weight on the leg Leg injury with popping and grinding noise Swollen, red painful legs
What causes electric shock like pain in legs?
Shooting leg pains can often occur when a lumbar vertebra suddenly shifts and places abnormal pressure on a nerve, causing it to misfire The brain registers these signals as pain which we feel down the nerve line of the leg, often intensely Some people describe the pain like an electric shock
Why do my legs feel like electric shocks?
Arachnoiditis often causes intense pain in the injured area, which can include the lower back, legs, buttocks, or feet The pain may feel like an electric shock or a burning sensation It can spread across your back and down your legs The pain may get worse when you move
Why does it feel like a needle is poking my leg?
‘Pins and needles’ are a sensation of uncomfortable tingling or prickling, usually felt in the arms, legs, hands or feet A common cause is pressure on a specific part of the arm or leg, which causes compression of nerves This usually resolves quickly when the position is changed and the pressure is removed
Can muscle pain be sharp and stabbing?
Muscle pain can feel different—aching, cramping, stabbing, or burning—depending on what’s behind it
What does nerve pain in the leg feel like?
Nerve pain is typically described as sharp, shooting, electric-like, or searing pain It may also produce a sensation of hot or warm water running down the thigh and/or leg In some individuals, a dull ache may occur The pain may be intermittent or constant
How do you get rid of nerve pain in your legs?
Alternating heat and ice therapy can provide immediate relief of sciatic nerve pain Ice can help reduce inflammation, while heat encourages blood flow to the painful area (which speeds healing) Heat and ice may also help ease painful muscle spasms that often accompany sciatica
What is vascular leg pain like?
Vascular pain is pain that is caused as a result of interruption of blood flow to a tissue or muscles If you are experiencing lack of circulation, pain, or heaviness in certain areas, you might be having vascular pain There also may be numbness, weakness, or a tingling feeling in the affected area
Which leg is your main artery in?
The femoral artery is the major blood vessel supplying blood to your legs It’s in your upper thigh, right near your groin
What are the warning signs of peripheral vascular disease?
Symptoms Painful cramping in one or both of your hips, thighs or calf muscles after certain activities, such as walking or climbing stairs Leg numbness or weakness Coldness in your lower leg or foot, especially when compared with the other side Sores on your toes, feet or legs that won’t heal
What helps with leg pain from walking?
Rest your leg as much as possible, and elevate your leg with pillows Take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, to help ease discomfort as your leg heals Wear compression socks or stockings with support
Can dehydration cause leg pain?
Dehydration Dehydration is one of the most common causes of leg cramps A cramp is an involuntary contraction of a muscle The fluids in your body allow your muscles to relax, but—when those muscles are dehydrated—they get irritable and prone to cramping
What does it mean when your leg hurts and you can’t walk?
Serious cases of peripheral artery disease can cause leg pain even when the person isn’t walking This “rest pain” most often occurs in the feet Even more serious are cases when the condition leads to tissue death and gangrene
What are body zaps?
It feels as if you experienced a sudden strong zap, tremor, vibration, or jolt in your body You also may feel like your body just received an electrical jolt or zap While it wasn’t burning or hot, your body jolted or experienced an intense tremor for a moment
Does sciatica feel like electric shock?
Sciatica may be accompanied by numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness in the affected leg This pain can vary widely, from a mild ache to a sharp, burning sensation or excruciating discomfort Sometimes it may feel like a jolt or electric shock Sciatic pain often starts gradually and intensifies over time
How do I know if I have arachnoiditis?
Tingling, numbness or weakness in the legs Sensations that may feel like insects crawling on the skin or water trickling down the leg Severe shooting pain that can be similar to an electric shock sensation Muscle cramps, spasms and uncontrollable twitching