Differential Diagnosis for 61-year-old with Leg and Hips Burning after Mobilising

Single most likely diagnosis

• Osteoarthritis: This is the most likely diagnosis given the patient's age and symptoms. Osteoarthritis is a common condition in older adults that causes joint pain and stiffness, especially after periods of inactivity or mobilization. The burning sensation could be due to inflammation and irritation of the joints.

Other Likely diagnoses

• Muscle strain: Overuse or strain of the muscles in the legs and hips could cause burning pain, especially after mobilizing. This is a common condition in people who are physically active or have recently increased their activity level.
• Peripheral neuropathy: This condition causes damage to the peripheral nerves, leading to burning pain, numbness, and tingling in the legs and hips. It can be caused by diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, or other underlying medical conditions.
• Trochanteric bursitis: This is an inflammatory condition that affects the bursae in the hips, causing pain and burning sensations, especially when mobilizing.

Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed)

• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): Although less likely, DVT is a potentially life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention. It can cause leg pain, swelling, and warmth, which could be mistaken for other conditions.
• Spinal stenosis: This condition causes narrowing of the spinal canal, leading to compression of the nerves and causing pain, numbness, and burning sensations in the legs and hips.
• Infection or sepsis: In rare cases, burning pain in the legs and hips could be a sign of an underlying infection or sepsis, which requires prompt medical attention.

Rare diagnoses

• Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS): This is a rare condition that causes chronic pain, burning sensations, and inflammation in one limb, often after an injury or trauma.
• Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: This is a rare genetic disorder that affects the connective tissue, causing joint hypermobility, pain, and burning sensations.
• Neoplastic conditions: In rare cases, burning pain in the legs and hips could be a sign of an underlying neoplastic condition, such as a tumor or cancer, which requires prompt medical attention.