Skip to Main Content

Chapter 22: Lower Leg Pain

Jason R. Cozby

Description of the Symptom

This chapter describes pathology that may lead to lower leg pain, including generalized, anteromedial, anterolateral, and posterior lower leg pain. Local causes of lower leg pain are defined as pathology occurring between the proximal one-third of the tibia and the area just proximal to the medial and lateral malleoli of the tibia. Remote causes are defined as occurring outside this region.

Special Concerns

  • Decreased sensation

  • Diminished femoral, popliteal, tibial, or dorsalis pedis pulses

  • Fever or signs of systemic disease

  • Inability to bear weight on the affected lower extremity

  • Pain increased at night and/or rest

  • Palpable warmth and swelling

  • Skin breakdown

image

image

CHAPTER PREVIEW: Conditions That May Lead to Lower Leg Pain
View Table||Download (.pdf)
CHAPTER PREVIEW: Conditions That May Lead to Lower Leg Pain
...
T  Trauma
REMOTE LOCAL GENERALIZED LOCAL ANTEROMEDIAL LOCAL ANTEROLATERAL LOCAL POSTERIOR
COMMON

Lumbar radiculopathies:

• L4 radiculopathy 400

• L5 radiculopathy 400

• S1 radiculopathy 400

 Not applicable

Fractures:

• Stress fracture of the tibia 405

• Tibia 405

Shin splints:

• Posteromedial shin splints 411

Muscle strains:

• Anterior compartment muscle strain 407

• Lateral compartment muscle strain 407

Shin splints:

• Anterolateral shin splints 411

Muscle strains:

• Gastrocnemius muscle strain 407

• Soleus muscle strain 407

Rupture of the Achilles tendon 411
UNCOMMON
Not applicable Not applicable

Nerve entrapments:

• Saphenous nerve 408

Fractures:

• Fibula 405

Nerve entrapments:

• Superficial peroneal nerve 408

Hematoma of the calf 406

Nerve entrapments:

• Sciatic nerve 408

• Sural nerve 408

• Tibial nerve 409
RARE
Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable
I  Inflammation
REMOTE LOCAL GENERALIZED LOCAL ANTEROMEDIAL LOCAL ANTEROLATERAL LOCAL POSTERIOR
COMMON
Not applicable

Aseptic

Delayed onset muscle soreness secondary to exercise 403

Septic

Cellulitis 402

Erythema nodosum 404

Aseptic

Tendinitis:

• Tibialis posterior tendinitis 413

Septic

Infectious periostitis 406

Aseptic

Tendinitis:

• Peroneal tendinitis 413

Septic

Not applicable

Aseptic

Tendinitis:

• Achilles tendinitis 412

Septic

Not applicable
UNCOMMON
Not applicable

Aseptic

Complex regional pain syndrome 403

Gas gangrene 405

Nodular panniculitis 409

Septic

Erysipelas 404

Aseptic

Tendinitis:

• Tibialis anterior tendinitis 413

Septic

Osteomyelitis of the tibia 410

Aseptic

Paratenonitis of the extensor tendons of the foot and toes 410

Tendinitis:

• Extensor digitorum longus tendinitis 412

• Extensor hallucis longus tendinitis 413

Septic

Not applicable

Aseptic

Achilles paratenonitis 401

Septic

Not applicable
RARE
Not applicable

Aseptic

Erythema induratum 404

Septic

Necrotizing fasciitis 408

Nonclostridial myositis 409

 Not applicable

Aseptic

Not applicable

Septic

Pyomyositis 410

Aseptic

Inflammatory muscle disease 406

Septic

Pyomyositis 410
M  Metabolic
REMOTE LOCAL GENERALIZED LOCCAL ANTEROMEDIAL LOCAL ANTEROLATERAL LOCAL POSTERIOR
COMMON
Not applicable Distal symmetric polyneuropathy, including from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, alcohol/drug abuse, carcinoma, diabetes mellitus, and kidney failure 404 Not applicable Not applicable Benign muscle cramps 402
UNCOMMON
Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable
RARE
Not applicable

Pop-up div Successfully Displayed

This div only appears when the trigger link is hovered over. Otherwise it is hidden from view.

This site uses cookies to provide, maintain and improve your experience. MH Privacy Center Close