Leg Problems, Noninjury

Emergencies

Yes	Do you have any of the following symptoms that require emergency treatment? Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.

• Leg pain with sudden, sharp chest pain; shortness of breath; coughing up of blood, or other symptoms of a blood clot in the lung (pulmonary embolism)
• Sudden leg weakness with loss of function
• Sudden severe pain with pale, white, blue, or cold skin that has lasted more than a few minutes

Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

If you have any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.

• Leg injury: Go to the topic Leg Injuries.
• Leg pain with back or buttock pain: Go to the topic Back Problems and Injuries.
• Leg swelling during pregnancy: Go to the topic Pregnancy-Related Problems.
• Leg swelling that you think may be caused by an allergic reaction: Go to the topic Allergic Reaction.
• Ankle or foot problem: Go to the topic Toe, Foot, and Ankle Problems, Noninjury.
• Hip problem: Go to the topic:
  • Hip Problems and Injuries, Age 11 and Younger.
  • Hip Problems and Injuries, Age 12 and Older.
• Knee problem: Go to the topic Knee Problems and Injuries.
• Insect bite or sting: Go to the topic Insect Bites and Stings and Spider Bites.
• Rash: Go to the topic:
  • Rash, Age 11 and Younger.
  • Rash, Age 12 and Older.

Yes	Do you have pain or a cramp in your leg or calf?
Yes	Do you have swelling in one or both legs?
Yes	Do you have numbness or tingling in one or both legs?
Yes	Do you now have leg weakness or have you had leg weakness in the past?
Yes	Is your leg pale, white, blue, or cold?
Yes	Do you think you have a skin infection in one or both legs?
Yes	Are you having a problem along the length of a vein or along a varicose vein?
Yes	Do you think a medicine is causing your leg problem?
Yes	Do you have any bumps under the skin in your lower legs?

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: August 4, 2008
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
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