Leg
Leg
Your legs are made up of bones, blood vessels, muscles and other connective tissue. They are important for motion and standing. Playing sports, running, falling or having an accident can damage your legs. Common leg injuries include sprains and strains, dislocations, and fractures.
These injuries can affect the entire leg, or just the foot, ankle, knee, or hip. Certain diseases also lead to leg problems. For example, knee osteoarthritis, common in older people, can cause pain and limited motion. Problems in your veins in your legs can lead to varicose veins or deep vein thrombosis.
Start Here
Leg Problems(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/tools/symptom/541.printerview.html
Diagnosis/Symptoms
Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI)(Society for Vascular Surgery) - http://www.vascularweb.org/patients/NorthPoint/Ankle_Blood_Pressure_Measurement_ABI.html
Duplex Ultrasound(Society for Vascular Surgery) - http://www.vascularweb.org/patients/NorthPoint/Duplex_Ultrasound.html
Leg Problems(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/tools/symptom/541.printerview.html
Treatment
Amputation(Society for Vascular Surgery) - http://www.vascularweb.org/patients/NorthPoint/Amputation.html
Angioplasty and Stenting(Society for Vascular Surgery) - http://www.vascularweb.org/patients/NorthPoint/Angioplasty_and_Stenting.html
Endarterectomy(Society for Vascular Surgery) - http://www.vascularweb.org/patients/NorthPoint/Endarterectomy.html
Surgical Bypass(Society for Vascular Surgery) - http://www.vascularweb.org/patients/NorthPoint/Surgical_Bypass.html
Thrombolytic Therapy(Society for Vascular Surgery) - http://www.vascularweb.org/patients/NorthPoint/Thrombolytic_Therapy.html
Rehabilitation/Recovery
MedlinePlus: Mobility AidsFrom the National Institutes of Health - Canes, crutches, walkers, wheelchairs - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mobilityaids.html
Specific Conditions
Achilles Tendon Rupture(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/achilles-tendon-rupture/DS00160/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
Broken Leg(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/broken-leg/DS00978/METHOD=print
Chronic Venous Insufficiency(Society for Vascular Surgery) - http://www.vascularweb.org/patients/NorthPoint/Chronic_Venous_Insufficiency.html
Claudication(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/claudication/DS01052/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
Compartment Syndrome(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00204
Edema(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/articles/840.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/articles/840.printerview.html
Fractures of the Proximal Tibia(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00393
Hamstring Muscle Strain(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00408
Hereditary Spastic ParaplegiaFrom the National Institutes of Health(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - Short Summary - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/hereditary_spastic_paraplegia/hereditary_spastic_paraplegia.htm
Leg Strain(InteliHealth, Harvard Medical School) - http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtPrint/WSIHW000/9339/31318.html?hide=t&k=basePrint
Leg Swelling(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/leg-swelling/MY00592/METHOD=print
Limb Length Discrepancy(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00259
Lymphedema(Society for Vascular Surgery) - http://www.vascularweb.org/patients/NorthPoint/Lymphedema.html
Meralgia ParestheticaFrom the National Institutes of Health(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - Short Summary - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/meralgia_paresthetica/meralgia_paresthetica.htm
Muscle Cramp(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00200
Muscle Strains in the Thigh(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00366
Night Leg Cramps(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/night-leg-cramps/MY00410/METHOD=print
Overuse Injuries(National Athletic Trainers' Association) - http://www.nata.org/consumer/overuse.htm
Peripheral Aneurysms(Society for Vascular Surgery) - http://www.vascularweb.org/patients/NorthPoint/Peripheral_Aneurysms.html
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)(Society for Vascular Surgery) - http://www.vascularweb.org/patients/NorthPoint/Leg_Artery_Disease.html
Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00166
Pseudoclaudication vs. Claudication: What's the Difference?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/pseudoclaudication/HQ01278/METHOD=print
Questions and Answers about Growth Plate InjuriesFrom the National Institutes of Health(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) - http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Growth_Plate_Injuries/default.asp
Questions and Answers about Sprains and StrainsFrom the National Institutes of Health(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) - http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Sprains_Strains/default.asp
Repetitive Motion DisordersFrom the National Institutes of Health(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - Short Summary - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/repetitive_motion/repetitive_motion.htm
Shin Splints(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/shin-splints/DS00271/METHOD=print&DSECTION=all
Shinbone Fractures(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00161
Thighbone Fracture(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00364
Thrombophlebitis(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/thrombophlebitis/DS00223/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
NewTroyer Syndrome(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - Short Summary - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/troyer_syndrome/troyer_syndrome.htm
Pictures & Photographs
Stasis Ulcer(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/adult/stasisUlcerVenousUlcer.htm
Health Check Tools
Burning Sensation of the Extremities(DSHI Systems) - http://www.freemd.com/burning-sensation-of-the-extremities/visit-virtual-doctor.htm
Calf Pain (DSHI Systems) - http://www.freemd.com/calf-pain-unilateral/visit-virtual-doctor.htm
Leg Cramps (DSHI Systems) - http://www.freemd.com/leg-cramps-unilateral/visit-virtual-doctor.htm
Leg Pain (DSHI Systems) - http://www.freemd.com/leg-pain-one-leg/visit-virtual-doctor.htm
Leg Swelling (Both Legs)(DSHI Systems) - http://www.freemd.com/leg-swelling-bilateral/visit-virtual-doctor.htm
Leg Swelling (One Leg)(DSHI Systems) - http://www.freemd.com/leg-swelling-one-leg/visit-virtual-doctor.htm
Leg Weakness (DSHI Systems) - http://www.freemd.com/leg-weakness-unilateral/visit-virtual-doctor.htm
Numbness of the Arm and Leg(DSHI Systems) - http://www.freemd.com/numbness-of-the-arm-and-leg-unilateral/visit-virtual-doctor.htm
Numbness of the Leg (DSHI Systems) - http://www.freemd.com/numbness-of-the-leg-unilateral/visit-virtual-doctor.htm
Tingling of the Leg (DSHI Systems) - http://www.freemd.com/tingling-of-the-leg-unilateral/visit-virtual-doctor.htm
Videos
NewIf I Had - Deep Vein Thrombosis(Insidermedicine) - http://www.insidermedicine.com/Archives/If_I_Had_-_Deep_Vein_Thrombosis_-_Dr_David_Lee_MD_1847.aspx?p=mdlnp
NewPeriarticular Locking Plate Procedure(OR-Live) - One hour program - 11/06/2006 - http://www.or-live.com/distributors/NLM/rnh.cfm?id=378
Clinical Trials
ClinicalTrials.gov: Intermittent Claudication From the National Institutes of Health(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22 Intermittent+Claudication%22
ClinicalTrials.gov: Leg Injuries From the National Institutes of Health(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22 Leg+Injuries%22
ClinicalTrials.gov: Leg Length Inequality From the National Institutes of Health(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Leg+Length+Inequality%22
ClinicalTrials.gov: Leg Ulcer From the National Institutes of Health(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Leg+Ulcer%22
Journal Articles
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
Article: CT angiography signs of lower extremity vascular trauma. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19542383&tool=MedlinePlus
Article: Near-infrared spectroscopy in lower extremity trauma. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19487513&tool=MedlinePlus
Article: Metaphyseal fragmentation with physiologic bowing: a finding not to be... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19380550&tool=MedlinePlus
Leg Injuries and Disorders -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=((leg+injuries[majr:noexp]+OR+leg/ab[majr]+OR+leg+bones/injuries[majr:noexp]+OR+leg+bones/ab[majr:noexp])+NOT+(fractures,bone[mh]+OR+osteoporosis[mh]+OR+hip+injuries[mh]))+AND+english[la]+AND+humans[mh]+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt]+OR+case+reports[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
Leg length inequality -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=leg+length+inequality[mh]+AND+humans[mh]+AND+english[la]+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt]+OR+case+reports[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDat! Limit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
Leg ulcer -- see more articles -
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=leg+ulcer[majr:noexp]+AND+english[la]+AND+humans[mh]+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt]+OR+case+reports[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=M! edlinePlus
Dictionaries/Glossaries
Glossary of Orthopaedic Words(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/glossary.cfm
Orthopedic Glossary(Children's Hospital Boston) - http://www.childrenshospital.org/clinicalservices/Site1173/mainpageS1173P9.html
Directories
Find a Peripheral Vascular Disease Screening Site(Society of Interventional Radiology) - http://www.legsforlife.org/findlfl.shtml
Find an Orthopaedist(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://www6.aaos.org/about/public/members.cfm
Organizations
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons - http://www.aaos.org/
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases From the National Institutes of Health - http://www.niams.nih.gov/
Also available in Spanish http://www.niams.nih.gov/Portal_En_Espanol/
MedlinePlus Magazine
Other Causes of Leg PainFrom the National Institutes of Health - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/magazine/issues/summer08/articles/summer08pg21.html
Children
Bowed Legs(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00230
Growing Pains(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/aches/growing_pains.html
Leg Length Discrepancy(Children's Hospital Boston) - http://www.childrenshospital.org/az/Site1100/mainpageS1100P0.html
Patient Guide to Femoral Anteversion(Johns Hopkins Dept. of Orthopaedic Surgery) - http://www.hopkinsortho.org/femoral_anteversion.html
Pediatric Thighbone (Femur) Fracture(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00424
What a Pain! Kids and Growing Pains(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/kid/ill_injure/aches/growing_pains.html
You may also be interested in these MedlinePlus related pages:
Ankle Injuries and Disorders - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ankleinjuriesanddisorders.html
Deep Vein Thrombosis - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/deepveinthrombosis.html
Foot Injuries and Disorders - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/footinjuriesanddisorders.html
Hip Injuries and Disorders - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/hipinjuriesanddisorders.html
Knee Injuries and Disorders - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/kneeinjuriesanddisorders.html
Restless Legs - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/restlesslegs.html
Varicose Veins - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/varicoseveins.html
Vascular Diseases - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/vasculardiseases.html
Bones, Joints and Muscles - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/bonesjointsandmuscles.html
Injuries and Wounds - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/injuriesandwounds.html
Leg Injuries and Disorders - Multiple Languages - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/languages/leginjuriesanddisorders.html
Date last updated: July 11 2009
Topic last reviewed: April 11 2009
From MedlinePlus (http://medlineplus.gov), 24 Hour Health Information.