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Conditions > Rheumatoid Arthritis > Rheumatoid Arthritis News & Research > Leg Pain
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Leg Pain: Is it Arthritis or Your Arteries

By Denise Lynn Mann

You head out for your morning walk, but your calves ache and your legs feel heavy. You chalk it up to arthritis and try to walk away the leg pain, but it only gets worse.

That pain may have nothing to do with your arthritis. Instead, blocked arteries in your legs, called peripheral artery disease (PAD), may be causing your leg pain. “If you can walk through the pain and it gets better as you go, it’s RA,” says Michael R. Jaff, an osteopathic physician and medical director of the vascular diagnostic laboratory at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. “With PAD, the more you walk, the worse the pain gets,” he says.

PAD causes muscle pain, not joint pain. But people with RA – and possibly many with OA – may be at increased risk for PAD. The conditions share some of the same risk factors: high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, overweight, diabetes and a sedentary lifestyle.

“The only good way to distinguish between arthritis pain and the pain of PAD is to have an ankle-brachial index (ABI) test,” says Dr. Jaff. “An ABI is simple and noninvasive, and takes just a few minutes.” Essentially, it compares the blood pressure in your feet with the blood pressure in your arms to see how well your blood is flowing. A normal score is 1.0 or greater; a score less than 1.0 suggests PAD. The lower the score, the more severe the PAD. 

The consequences of PAD are preventable by making lifestyle changes or using medications that decrease the risk of blood clots, such as aspirin and clopidogrel (Plavix). In some cases, surgery – such as balloon angioplasty to open blocked arteries in the leg – is required. If you have pain when walking: “Get tested,” says Dr. Jaff.

Jenny
16 Mar 2010, 13:22
I have a pain under my knee ,when I sit I can't get up anymore it takes minutes to get Up,it feels num and is a little swallon.
Please help me with anything that you know so I can help the pain.
Thank you
vivienne boardman
14 Mar 2010, 11:09
I get a pain from the left side of my buttocks down the outside of my left leg can happen when i,m out walking or if i,m standing in kitchen, and sometimes i can ease it by stretching myself from side to side, i am diabetic and i am overweight by about 6 stone i walk my dogs every day and i dont sit down an awful lot through the day, i tend to try and keep active if i can but its hard when this pain is really bad, been to doctors with other knee and got arthritis but this seems different
Jerry Anderson
11 Mar 2010, 20:05
left lower calf, ankle, and foot pain. sometimes very painful other times just some stiffness in lower calf and ankle every day as of late. had ultra sound on Tuesday and negative. ankle test set for Monday have taken aspirin but pain still quite bothersome what else can be done. I take atenolol for blood pressure and fenofibrate for cholesteral. On my feet alot for work and overweight.
dereck
09 Mar 2010, 01:48
Hi: when waking up in the morning,my legs and ankles are burning and first couple of steps hard (hobble)what can cure this or help prevent it.
Carmen Duenas
08 Mar 2010, 20:08
Three days ago, I feel deep pain on the left pelvic area in the evening. The next day, pain was still there and it became difficut to walk as if I can't carry my weight. The following day, it got worth and it was extremely difficut to walk. When I try to sit or stand and to bend my upper body. It was hard to even move side ways much less walking. What causes such discomfort and pain?
Laura
08 Mar 2010, 05:32
I am 58 years old and a little overweight. To lose the weight I have taken up walking and have also started a training programm called couch to 10k in 13 weeks. I walk or job 30 - 40 miles per week. When walking, although I suffer from what feels like tightening of the muscles up the front of the thigh, now I am suffering a lot after my exercise and the pains through my legs are stopping me sleeping. The pains are not static, they appear to move about in my legs. I also have stabbing pains in my toes and pains down my shins. So much for trying to get fit. I never thought it would cause me so much pain.

Am I doing too much or is this something a little more sinister.
Ramona Edgell
07 Mar 2010, 20:06
Hello i have been experencing leg pain ever sense i have got off the air plane one month ago we had experenced alot of comprestion on the flight and had to make a emergency landing after i got off the plain it was hard to walk and painful ever sence then . The pain started in the left leg and my left ankle swollen and my right leg behind my leg hurt the worse i can not bend my leg backwords it hurts real bad it brings me to tears i have had a scan on my spine to see if it is a nerve my tests come back negitive the doc said something is deffently going on just does not know what ,I need answers when i stand the pain runs down my lower back to my legs and fall asleep while sitting in a chair it is a different kind of hurt and my left arm and shoulder hurt along with my nek it seems like the pain moves around like it has affected one area like my ankle and knoe behind my ankle please help me and tell me what kind of doc to see.
Thank you Ramona
mark
07 Mar 2010, 17:25
my legs hurt at the bottom they tighten up and feel like they they are going to snap .Have seen a vascular surgeon and he said my blood flow was fine and nothing needs to be cut out,but the pain has got worse and seems to be spreading to my knees and the pain is constant now .Dont know now who to see next as my doctor does not seem to want to know.
Cathy
27 Feb 2010, 20:20
mostly heaviness in right leg sometime I can barely lift leg to step up on curb or steps, even need help sometimes to get up off of chair. Aches when Iam trying to sleep sometimes.This just started a few weeks ago. I feel in October and when I did I heard something go like a tearing sound had tests done but no answers....
Norman
22 Feb 2010, 09:51
I have pain in my calf and foot that wakes me up at night.It is a feeling like my foot is going to burst open. I have pitting ediema in that leg as well could it be a blood clot? I have diabetes and the ejection fraction of my heart is only about 35%.
shelley
21 Feb 2010, 16:09
My Right leg hurts all the time but is much worse when I sit down And especially when I lie down to sleep, can't lie on my right side, too painful, I have to keep moving my position in bed all night , some nights so bad I dream I am in pain & it wakes me up crying with the pain, I am always in a mild ache throughout the day, it seems to start in my right buttock & extends right down to my foot. This has been getting worse over the past few years, am 58 now with what looks like a painful future to look forward too.
bing
10 Feb 2010, 20:25
I have pain in the back of my left upper leg sometime thru my lower leg only when i am driving or sitting watching tv,seems to have started after working-out at the health club.Pain wont goaway.Also,what doctor is best to see. Thank you.
Rebecca
08 Feb 2010, 15:30
Ive had jabbing pains in the top of my right leg for the past four weeks.It mostly accures when im sitting down.I can be quite painful,it comes and goes for no reason.I am still in my thirties,and im six stone overweight.Im relatively fit otherwise.Can you explain what these pains are,and do i need to seek medical advice about it from my gp?
carol ferguson
04 Feb 2010, 14:07
all of these people are having pain in their legs or feet ,my are the same , but i don't see
any suggestion on what to do or what doctor to see, i have been diagnosed with pad, an put on plavix, but it is not helping so far as i can see, its been a yr now ,all the doctors want to do is give you a pill, it just covers up the problem, not helping it .the question is what to do, or what kind of doctor should you see???????????????
Clarence Hughes
22 Jan 2010, 14:06
My legs hurt at night from the knee down the both legs, they just ache and it is hard for me to get to sleep.What should I do ?
roisin
05 Jan 2010, 03:08
I am experiencing pain at the back of my left leg now for over a week it is at the back of my thigh and I am getting concerned, have to admit that sometimes when I walk for long periods it calms down but then in the morning it starts again

Please help
Gerard Paillard
26 Dec 2009, 17:16
I have severe spondiliostesis in my lower back as well as severe osteoarthritis in both my knees.
For the past 15 years I also have been very obese at 130Kgs for 179cms in height.

For the past two years I have had severe pains in the back of my legs and calfs and when I walk for about 30 minutes I feel that my legs weight a tonne and I can barely walk or lift my legs; after sitting down for a while it gets a little better;
At night my legs are always cold and i do not seem to be able to warm them and I constantly have to move them to attempt to get better.
My specialist suggest that it is caused by my knee and I am fed up in hearing there suggestions as I know the pain to be very different from one another.
can someone help me to diagnose accurately my problems?
tresca
22 Dec 2009, 23:25
my left leg hurts when I am trying to go to sleeep. I cannot keep it still I have to move leg constantly and it jerks also
Jean
21 Dec 2009, 14:02
My feet pain when I get up in the mornings. Battle to walk at first. Gets better after a while. I have lower back pain and get alot of megrains. Sometimes 2-3 a week. In the afternoons my legs hurt and becomes lazy. feels like I have to drag them. They hurt alot then. I am overweight and battle to loose weight. Feels like I am keeping water. My feet swells up when I sit.I am tired of the pain. And have constant heartburn of the pain pills.(I really try not to drink painpills) Dr's says its in my head.
I wasnt overweight when it all started 4 years in my lower back. At that time I couldnt sleep because my hips and legs burned. I had a vibrate feeling between my legs and it moved to my feet. The dr's gave me 9 injections in my back for the pain. and other dr's gave me strong injections for my megrains. since then I have picked up weight. I have constant infections. Help me please....the dr's dont know what to do with me.
Linda
05 Dec 2009, 19:37
I have a a pain that goes from the hip down past my knee to my shin all down the outside of one leg. Only seems to hurt when I walk or go upstairs. I have been doing some exercise on a Wii but surely it would have affected both legs! please advise, thanks.
Doug
04 Dec 2009, 09:13
I had a tension type string pain inside my right thigh. Then when I tried to get up or down I would experience a shocking tearing feeling down the inside of my right calf on to my ankle. This has happened all day. I have been in the Hospital for nerve dammage from solvent exposure at my shop. I also have a very swollen prostate for years. Do my symptoms seem in line with these conditions where I should go back for further testing? I'm tired of the hospital.
Ellis
24 Nov 2009, 01:58
Friend of mine had leg pain in his left leg. He thought it was arthritis pain but after havin it checked...turned out to be cancer.
Carol
23 Nov 2009, 00:10
i have been having pain in my legs when i work all day they seem too really hurt when i get home. i have real bad veins my left leg hurt more Do anyone know what this is thanks
jim wright
21 Nov 2009, 07:07
For about two months i have had pain in the upper part of my right leg. Its in the top part of my leg like its in the muscle and goes to the right side at times. Last night it hurt so much i couldn't sleep. I take ibprophen for the pain but didn't do a lot of good last night---800mg. Which doctor should i see?
GT
17 Nov 2009, 08:54
Folks don't forget that hip and back problems can cause pain in your legs. If you suffer with slipped or bulging discs they may rub against the nerve endings for your legs muscles and cause pain.
Vickiapg
17 Nov 2009, 02:43
What is the point to this website if all of the questions are being asked but no answers are being offered? Just look at all these people who are truly hurting! No answers? Then why have this comment section?
katrina
14 Nov 2009, 02:08
I am in so much pain, i googled the symptoms and i did think it was PAD however i do have RA and i have severe RA so this is another problem i have to worry about ? i cant take another pill im just tired of hurting so much. what dr. do i need to see? my legs hurt , throb, swell and burn and if thats not enough they are hard feeling , if u press against my leg it feels like its a tumor or something growing under the skin . please help tired of hurting !!!
kruti bhuskute
29 Oct 2009, 08:38
i m 30,female with a 6 yr kid.i m having leg pain since past 2yrs, which began with my eczemza when it got very severe over especially legs, and that also showed some varicoses then, this is now much less by homeopathic treatment without using any external applications. but the pain in legs persists, much less though, typically coming on when i rest,hang my legs, r stand still, or do rapid leg movements,as if legs are too heavy to move. one side is more affected, esp the ankles when i stand, as if they are suddenly filled with something.when i sit,the points on calf or ankle or sole suddenly squeeze for few seconds,unbearably.also the eczema is more on the legs than elsewhere by 50%, yielding little to the best of homeopathic medicines, which have given rest of the skin a new life.
could my condition be reversible, and by what measures, i want to live a normal hectic active life- please help.
martha muehlbauer
27 Oct 2009, 13:52
My legs get extremely tired when I shop. It is worse at night, when I lie down to sleep, my legs feel hot and achey, I move my legs to a cool spot on the sheets, but it isn't long before I have to find a cooler place and this keeps up for hours. Once, I got in the tub and turned on cold water and soaked my legs til they cooled off. Another symtom is when I get down on the floor to exercise or for any reason, getting back up is difficult because I get sharp cramps in my calves and thighs. What is the reason for these problems? Ps........I am 72, no history of arthritis.
shannon
26 Oct 2009, 20:01
ive been haveing a sharp painful pain going up my right leg , im reall worried about this now, thinking its goiong turn seriopusly bad.

what could it bee ?
Stephen
23 Oct 2009, 09:29
Every once in a while I get these horrible pains in my legs that radiate from the shin behind the outer calf outward and upward towards my lower thighs. It usually starts when I'm sleeping and keeps me up all night. I then have to go days without sleep. It is both dull and sharp at the same time. I'm 29 now and this has been occuring for at least 7 years but I have no insurance. Can you help explain?

Thank you
Shelia
19 Oct 2009, 20:37
20+ years ago I was struck by a car crossing a street. The bumper of the car struck my knee caps and I had surgery on both knees. Arthitis has kicked in; however, past couple weeks, right leg from knee down is becoming very painful. Sharp, dull aching pain. Not all the time, but when it kicks in, it is becoming very painful. I have had crotizon shots in the past years, but nothing recently. Any suggestions if this could be something different or just a long term problem.
Mary
14 Oct 2009, 08:03
Have burning sensation in both legs from the knees to the soles of both feet at night, especially in the heel area. What could be causing this
TRACY
14 Oct 2009, 06:27
I HAVE PAIN IN MY RIGHT LEG ALL THE TIME. I WEAR TEDS TO WORK IF NOT I DIE WITH PAIN!
IT'S ONLY RIGHT SIDE ESP. WALKING OR STANDING OR SLEEPING ON THE SIDE OF THE LEG????

PLEASE HELP I AM 35 AND THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE I WAS 21.

THANKS
Kathy
25 Sep 2009, 08:27
For about 3 weeks I have had nagging, sometimes severe pain in my upper right leg. From aching to sharp. Does not hurt as bad when moving most of the time, but can't stand still, like in a line a grocery store or when I'm blowing hair dry. Almost becaome unbearable. Also hurts, almost like a pull in hamstring area when reaching up. Sure could use some advice. About 5 years ago I fell down hill on to cart path golfing landing on my buttom. Severe pain and rectal pressure like I've never known. Recovered OK but was never checked out. Could this possibly be the cause now.
hy_fresh
18 Sep 2009, 15:55
who will advise us on ostero/arithrites,,can u explain us that what type of medical test need to be performed that Doctor can easily give us prescripation and I get ride of the from the problem once for all
Dennis
18 Sep 2009, 00:49




MY SITUATION IS HARD TO EXPLAIN ... WHEN I HAVE BEEN SITTING DOWN AND GET UP OR WHEN I LIFT MY FEET UP TO PULL MY S0X OFF FOR INSTANCE IT FEELS LIKE ALL OF THE HAIRS ARE BEING PULLED ON MY LEGS.












`
Jeannine
15 Sep 2009, 07:47
I have a pain (not horrible but more nagging and worrisome) that began near my ankle and has now progress up my left leg to my thigh. It comes and goes but I am not sure what it is. I am considerably healthy. I walk 4-5 times a week for 30-60 minutes each. Non smoker, non drinker but having these issues. I have gained 10 lbs over the summer and think that may have something to do with it, but I am not heavy at all so I dont see where that would be an issue. I told my Dr. but she just blamed it on the high heels. Any other suggestions?
Donna
10 Sep 2009, 16:26
For a few months I've had pain in my right heel. Stretching in the morning does help it. But I'm now having pain in my upper right leg, more like a muscle pain.
joe sgl
10 Sep 2009, 08:10
I have sharp pain in the inside of my left leg/ groin area, it has progressed to my left knee, I suspect it's arterial, any suggestions?
Shirley Fabel
05 Sep 2009, 13:51
I am 82 and expect to have a few pains but this one seems to be appearing more often, at night. The pain originates in the ankle area and extends upward. Sometimes only one leg is affected, sometimes both.

Another pain starts in my groin and goes down to my knee where it seems to go inward behind my knee. I have been tested for a blood clot in that area but none was found.

I treat these pains with heat and that seems to help.

I have had surgery for a herniated disk.

Standing still causes pain in my hip area.

My ability to walk for any distance is now causing more pain and fatigue.

Thank you for being here. What type of doctor should I see?
Kathy
03 Sep 2009, 16:03
I've been having pain in my feet and lowers legs the last few months. The pain is much more frequent, this is concerning me. I've talked with my PCP and she says that I should sleep with feet and pillows at night! I'd like to be tested to see why this might me happening. If I suggest a test for PAD would this help determine the cause?
ALIDA GASKINS
01 Sep 2009, 21:29
I HAVE SEVERE PAIN IN MY THIGH FEELS LIKE A MUSCLE SPASM CAN'T WALK IT OUT, CAN'T RUB IT OUT CAN'T MOVE WHEN IT HAPPENS FEELS LIKE IT STARTS FROM THE HIP CAN'T STAND ON THAT LEG CAN'T SAT DOWN IF I TRY TO MOVE IT GETS WORSE AND IT WILL LAST LONGER I AM GETTING THEM MORE AND MORE EVERY DAY
Janet Moreland
25 Aug 2009, 20:45
My husband has lung cancer. He has been having severe leg pain in both legs. He says the calves of his legs are real sore as though he has had charlie horses. The areas above the knee are so weak he cannot squat and he has difficulty walking. He is also unable to climb stairs. What can be causing this pain. It began with severe muscle cramps in the calves of his legs. His Cardiologist stopped his cholesterol medicine for two weeks and the cramps seemed to lessen. Can you recommend what we should do.
JS
19 Aug 2009, 20:07
I am not sure about the so called pain. It feels like burning behind my knee and up the thigh area. Dr. has me on anti inflamitory meds but I am only to take them at night. The so called pain is all the time not just at night. It burns when I put any pressure against the out side of the knee also. I have ordered the PAD information but that will take 4 weeks. Any other persons with this problem and what can I do?
Claud
12 Aug 2009, 06:21
Like so many others, it appears, I have the most terrible pain in my right leg in two locations, top rightand around the knee.

I thought it was a trapped nerve, might still be, but I am getting increasingly worried about this.

Walking is a nightmare now and lying in bed is alos as it is difficuly to find peace and relief from the pain.

I first noticed this some months ago when I just had a slight jabbing pain top right but hese last few weeks it has become really bad.

It's a tingling sensation when I sit but very painful when I walk although mentally telling myself to relax the leg does make it a little easier to walk.

What is the answer and cure for this, walking or resting or tablets or ?????
sharon oliver
09 Aug 2009, 10:33
Last night I couldn't sleep because I had a terrible pulsing pain in the front of my shin. I am other wise healthy but am overweight. I took a naprosin and tylonal and used a hot pack but it took all night for it to go away. what should I do?
Suzanne
03 Aug 2009, 20:07
My right knee, upper outside thigh and lower leg, sometimes going down to my ankle hurt. I feel outside about a month ago and has hurt ever since. I went to the hospital, the doctor just check my knee and ankle to see if I could move it okay and it seemed to be fine to him. They didn't take an Xray though. He said it's probably ostero arthritus. It is still hurting, and sometimes just takes my breath away. I have a high pain tolerance and I'm getting a little worried. What could it be, what should I do.
michael o connell
01 Aug 2009, 10:56
Ihave very bad pains mainly from my knees down the backs of my legs and into my feet.
My knees click when I stand up from a sitting position.
Any ideas on the cause please.

regards
Michael.
Richard
31 Jul 2009, 11:47
I have pain on the upper legs toward the outside of the legs. It hurts when I stand up. I have diabetes 2 and heart disease. The pain is sharp and only occurs when I rise from a chair or a car. It only lasts for a few seconds but it is getting increasing worse.
Virginia
29 Jul 2009, 21:43
I walk about a mile every day. I am very healthy, but I have pain in my right leg fairly regularly. It started at night when I was sleeping, but now it occurs in the evening when I am sitting. There is no swelling or redness, just an achy uncomfortable feeling.
sam dawson
28 Jul 2009, 18:25
my legs are killing me. after driving the car for sometime and changing gears and braking my legs ache all night and the next day from the below the knee down. it is hard to sleep and i feel like i am walking like a cripple. also i have some pain in my hands, mostly mum thumb towards to wrist. what could be happening to my body. i am 39. my mother does have RA and fibromyalgia. Could this be part of my problem. I HOPE NOT!
Tash
18 Jul 2009, 14:54
i get pains in my legs that feel like "growing pains" but i only ever get them after work which is twice a week. Im 17 and im a waitress which means im on my feet nearly all day. Is the pain from being on my feet for a long period of time with no rest or is it something more serious?

please help
m cowen
11 Jul 2009, 11:54
when out walking after about 4miles i started getting a pain down the outside of my thigh i did manage to walk through it

But it is now a week later and it feels sore when i touch down the thigh

I am going out walking tomorrow is it any thing to worry about
Robin Russo
28 Jun 2009, 14:21
My friend has pain in both legs, she's almost 18. She said her bones hurt when she walks and when she sits down and it comes and goes. She had this when she was 5 and her mom took her to the doctor and they said she had bone flu is that a diagnostic or is it something serious? Should she go to the doctor? Like I said her pain comes and goes and it gets really bad like today. Please help.

Thank you
RO
Mark
18 Jun 2009, 02:21
My Mothers problem is the same as navneet kaur bains. My mom suffers severely in the mornings with the pain getting more bearable as the day progresses. She is 63. Please help
Natasha
18 Jun 2009, 01:17
I've had problems with my right leg for years now. I kinda thought it might be arthritis, but I'm not sure. I have a heaviness about my entire right leg. It has some swelling that not very noticable. During pregancy(6yrs ago and during other pregancies), I experienced times when my leg would just give out/go limp completely for no reason. The pain used to only occur when the weather changed. Now its all the time. It's bearable, but also bothersome. Pain is located inside the leg from right thigh all the way to foot. Sometimes, I'm scared to wear heels because I'm scared that my ankle will give out. Pain seems to be more bothersome when I'm laying down and rarely goes away. My right leg always feel heavier then the other one. Any suggestion on what I may be experiencing would be great. What kind of specialist should I seek out regarding my symptons?

Thanks
harpo
08 Jun 2009, 13:41
I am having pains in my leg muscles and nerves, and it is getting worse if i continued to walk, having a kind of tingling sensation at the foot.
shirley dawson
06 Jun 2009, 08:39
my thighs are hurting when i'm sleeping and sitting please help .
navneet kaur bains
06 Jun 2009, 02:26
my mother suffers from severe leg pain. she complaints that her muscles get stretched when she walk. after sleeping she experiences it most. please tell some natural therapies for cure and what are its causes.
Thomas
03 Jun 2009, 08:30
My legs hurt so bad
Eileen
05 May 2009, 09:16
What kind of doctor should I see to get tested for PAD?? I have been diagnosed with RA, but the pain in my feet is migrating up into my ankles and lower leg. Thanks.

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