What Causes Pain And Stiffness In Legs?

Posted on Mon, 3 Nov 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 3 Nov 2014 Answered on

Thu, 27 Nov 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello there Doctor. I am a 39 year old woman. In the last few months I find that I have pains in my legs. Its like an ache in my bones. (Leds and feet) I'd be ok all day and the I would sit down and when I go to get up again, I look like I'm 90, stiff, sore and in pain. I just work thru the pain and it dulls and goes away when I keep moving. I'm fairly fit and always on the go. I'm 5ft 10ins, 162lbs, non smoker, very occasional drinker. I work shifts that include nights and I've three children, aged 11, 7 and 2. Periods are every 24 days for about 5 days but I also have an afterbleed each month that can go on for 10 days more. I can have low haemoglobin but am taking two galfer per day for the last few years. Can you help me with these leg pains please?

Answered by Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (42 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Due to spinal disc bulge there can be compression.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

I have studied your case,

Due to spinal disc bulge there can be compression of nerve supplying your leg leading to pain. You may need to do MRI spine to see for nerve compression.
Due to compression of nerve there is leg pain with it.

For these symptoms analgesic and neurotropic medication can be started.
Till time, avoid lifting weights. You can consult physiotherapist for help.
Physiotherapy like ultrasound and interferential therapy will give quick relief.
I will advise to check your vit B12 and vit D3 level.

Another differential can be leg muscle cramps.
Leg Muscle cramps are very common in females my advise for you.
Take plenty of water, fluid intake will dilute toxins.
Physiotherapy with ultrasound and Tens will help you,
Take potassium rich diet.
Hot and cold fomentation to leg.

Blood work up and EMG-NCV [nerve conduction] study will help.
After blood studies your haemoglobin levels will be confirmed.
Low haemoglobin can lead to leg pain.

Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.

Wishing you good health.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (23 hours later)

Hello Dr XXXXXXX
Thank you so much for your comprehensive reply. Coincidently, I received my blood test results yesterday and my haemoglobin has regulated. So, I think that rules out leg pain caused by low iron.
It is not cramps either as I had them throughout my pregnancies and this is a totally different type of pain. It is like a dull ache inside the bones of my upper and lower legs and feet. The pain in both legs are the same which does not sound like a bulged disk.

I am glad that you didn't mention MS or anything like that. I do not think it is anything you mentioned. Maybe it is just I'm getting older.

Please let me know what you think. XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Explained below

Detailed Answer:
Hello again

Thats good that your hemoglobin is within normal limits.

Central disc bulge or lumbar canal stenosis can give pain in both legs so you can go for MRI spine to rule out.

I will advise to check your vit B12 and vit D3 level.

Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.

Wishing you good health.

Take care.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari