What Causes Discomfort In The Lower Leg And Toes?

Posted on Wed, 29 Jun 2016

Question: I'm experiencing a strange discomfort in my lower leg down to my toes. My toes being the most extreme. It feels as though there is something tied around my leg and causing pressure and extreme discomfort. It gets severe enough that it wakes me up and keeps me awake. If I take ibuprofen it subsides but comes back. This is the third day and I am having to take ibuprofen a little more frequently. I can walk and touch my toes and foot. I do not see any swelling or discoloring.

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Unfortunately as no external symptoms, will require investigations ma'am

Detailed Answer:
Hello sir and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. I can understand how you feel and with such a presentation which does not have any external symptoms, we have to go ahead with a few investigations, I am sure you understand. Tests like a complete blood panel (to look for signs of inflammation, possibly associated with blood vessels internally), a Doppler scan of your leg which helps with viewing the internal parts of your leg, and so on.

Taking pain killers is not the solution as the pain shall persist as long as the source is present, so it would be more wise to treat the cause than just the symptoms. Of course taking pain management medication until a diagnosis is established is advisable, but please do try and schedule an appointment with your doctor for a few investigations to find the cause ma'am.

I hope you find my response helpful and informative. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help.

Best wishes.

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar