4 Vascular Conditions that Cause Leg Pain

Sometimes, pains in your legs can be caused by strain and overexertion. But other times, nagging or chronic pain has a different cause — one connected to your circulatory system.

Vessel-related diseases are a surprisingly common cause of leg pain, especially as we get older. Many of these problems can get worse with time or lead to serious complications if we don’t get prompt medical care.

At Desert West Vein & Surgery Center, Atur Kasha, DO, uses advanced techniques to both diagnose and treat leg pain causes in patients throughout the El Paso, Texas, area. His patient-centered approach ensures every person gets the best care for their unique needs.

If you’re suffering from chronic or recurring leg pain, one of these four vascular problems could be to blame.

Chronic venous insufficiency 

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) happens when the valves in your leg veins malfunction, causing your blood to “pool up” or collect inside your veins. This “pooling” activity pushes against the walls of your veins, making them weak and causing more damage to the tiny valves.

CVI becomes more common as we age. Up to 40% of American adults have CVI. In its early stages, CVI may cause no noticeable signs. But as it progresses, you might notice symptoms like:

• Fatigue in your legs
• Deep aching
• Swelling in your ankles or feet
• Varicose veins
• Skin changes, including itching and flakiness

Without treatment, CVI can lead to leaks in the tiny blood vessels of your legs (capillaries). This change makes it a lot easier for your skin to become bruised or damaged in other ways.

Deep vein thrombosis

A thrombosis is a blood clot. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) happens when a clot forms inside one of the deep veins in your leg. These clots can form as a result of injury, disease, reduced mobility, and use of some medications.

In addition to leg pain, DVT can cause symptoms like:

• Foot or leg swelling
• Leg cramps, especially in your calf
• Localized areas of warmth in your skin
• Color changes in the skin over the affected area

If you think that you have a DVT, please seek immediate medical care.

Peripheral artery disease

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a relatively common cause of leg pain among older people, affecting nearly 7 million Americans. Anyone can develop PAD, but it tends to be more common among people who:

• Are aged 60 or older
• Smoke
• Have high cholesterol
• Have high blood pressure
• Are diabetic

PAD is most commonly caused by atherosclerosis, which happens when sticky plaque deposits cause your arteries to narrow and stiffen.

PAD leg pain tends to be worse with physical activity and feels better when you’re resting. In addition to pain, PAD can cause symptoms like:

• Muscle weakness
• Lower pulse rate in your ankle
• Leg skin that feels cooler in localized areas
• Numbness in your feet or toes
• Leg sores

Like DVT, PAD symptoms occur only in the affected leg.

Superficial venous thrombosis

Though DVT affects the deeper leg veins, superficial venous thrombosis (SVT) happens when a vein closer to the surface of your skin develops a clot, followed by inflammation inside the vein. In addition to leg pain, people with SVT typically have symptoms like:

• Swelling over the affected vein
• Skin that feels warm or looks red over the affected area
• Areas of the skin that feel hard to the touch

SVT is often accompanied by large varicose veins.

Treating leg pain

Today, there are lots of treatment options for leg pain associated with vascular diseases, including lifestyle changes, medication, injections, and minimally invasive procedures. Dr. Kasha and his team will tailor a treatment plan that’s based on your needs, your medical history, and your overall treatment goals.

Don’t let leg pain keep you from doing the things you love. Call the office, or book an appointment online, and let Dr. Kasha help you find the right treatment option for you.