What Causes Persistent Pain In The Lower Left Leg?

Posted on Mon, 5 Dec 2016

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

Mon, 5 Dec 2016 Answered on

Fri, 23 Dec 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I,m experiencing continuous (what appears as deep pain) in my lower left leg. I began experiencing this pain about a month ago. But over the past several weeks, the pain has become more intense and of longer duration. It is particularly painful when I go to bed, and I'm laying flat on my back. When I try to find a comfortable position to sleep, I try to lay on my right side, and bring my left leg so it either lays on my right leg, or just behind my right leg, I still feel the pain. It seems as though there is no position that is comfortable. I recently went to the hospital emergency department (as my family doctor is on vacation). The hospital team took a blood sample, and concluded that my blood stats were fine, except for a "low calcium" count. They recommended that I take a 500 mg. Calcium supplement 4 times a day, to restore my blood calcium to a more normal level, their conclusion was that the low calcium count maybe the root cause of the pain. Any opinions? I was personally hoping that I might receive either an x-ray or an ultra-sound of the lower leg, to see if the pain issue is related to something more serious.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Can be electrolyte disturbance.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The constant pain in the leg that you have can be due to electrolyte imbalance that causes muscle cramps or due to a nerve root compression at the level of lumbar spine. Since your calcium levels are low, it is best to start with a mild pain killer and calcium supplements and see if it helps.
In case the pain is not relieved then it is best to consult an orthopedician and get an MRI scan of the lumbar spine done to detect any nerve root compression.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (18 hours later)

Dear Dr. XXXXXXX Tayal,

Could you please explain what maybe the root causes that bring about the "electrolyte imbalance" that you spoke of, in your answer to my original question.

As I mentioned in the original question: the hospital teams "blood work" indicated that my "calcium count" was low.
What would be the cause of that?

Following the use of a mild pain killer and calcium supplements, how long may it take, before I will see results - and be pain free?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Usually a dietary deficiency.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
The cause of electrolyte imbalance is usually decreased fluid intake and decreased intake of healthy foods like fruits and calcium rich diet.
You need to increase the intake of milk, eggs, etc to fulfill the calcium requirement of the body.
After taking pain killers and proper supplements it can take 2-4 weeks for the deficiency to decrease. Vitamin D3 is also essential for proper absorption of calcium in the body. Do get your Vitamin D3 levels also checked.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T