Differential Diagnosis for Left Leg Pain
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Muscle Strain: This is often the most common cause of leg pain, resulting from overuse or injury to the muscles in the leg. It is typically characterized by pain, swelling, and limited mobility.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Sciatica: Caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back down to the legs, leading to pain, numbness, and tingling in the leg.
- Varicose Veins: Enlarged veins that can cause pain, swelling, and discoloration in the affected leg.
- Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): A condition where the arteries that supply blood to the legs become narrowed, leading to pain, cramping, and weakness in the legs.
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): A blood clot that forms in the deep veins of the leg, causing pain, swelling, and warmth in the affected area.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Compartment Syndrome: A serious condition where increased pressure within the muscle compartments of the leg can lead to nerve and muscle damage, characterized by severe pain, swelling, and limited mobility.
- Osteomyelitis: An infection of the bone that can cause severe pain, swelling, and redness in the affected leg.
- Aortic Aneurysm: A bulge in the aorta that can lead to severe abdominal and leg pain if it ruptures.
- Pulmonary Embolism (if DVT is suspected): A blood clot that breaks loose and travels to the lungs, which can be life-threatening.
Rare Diagnoses
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: A group of genetic disorders that affect the body's connective tissue, leading to joint hypermobility, skin hyperextensibility, and tissue fragility, which can cause leg pain.
- Fabry Disease: A rare genetic disorder that can cause pain in the legs, hands, and feet due to the buildup of a particular type of fat in the body's cells.
- Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS): A condition characterized by intense burning or aching pain in the legs, often accompanied by swelling, skin changes, and limited mobility.