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What Causes Painful Legs While Walking In A Person With Peripheral Vascular Disease?
Question: For several weeks now experiencing aching legs (both) and pain behind left knee when walking . Leg fatigue and not as much strength as usual it seems. I have PVD and wear compression knee highs daily. Vascular Dr took Ultrasound of legs 1 month ago, and said results were "normal". Have always had tenderness in hip joints for years, and can only sleep on my back (on a Sleep Number Bed). Legs get hot during the night and I have to throw covers off. My PCP thought I might be having spine trouble causing the aching in legs, but Cigna will not cover an MRI because I haven't explored other avenues first. I'm a heavy 73 year old working woman in Customer Service, but my job entails constant getting up and sitting down and walking daily. The aching legs and pain behind the left knee really bothers me. Should I see an Orthopedic specialist? any idea what might be wrong?
Brief Answer:
Need to rule out Osteoporosis
Detailed Answer:
Hi there.
Welcome to Healthcare Magic.
I have read your query and understood your problem.
Persons with PVD have bad arterial flow to the lower limb and hence less supply of oxygen to the muscles and other tissues of the lower limb. This causes pain on walking distance, standing for long hours, cycling, climbing stairs.
You have mentioned that you have pain over your hips. Do you limp ?
At the age of 70, the are high chances of Bone turnover disorder called Osteoporosis, where the bone thickness reduces and hence the strength of the bone is less, causing pain on weight bearing and less stamina and capacity to weight bearing and stability.
It is recommended to eat diet rich in calcium like cheese, nuts, green leafy vegetables, pulses, chicken, lean meat, eggs. This will help to increase strength of the bones and help prevent Vitamin D and Calcium deficiency.
Avoid strenuous exercise, smoking, alcohol, colas. Regularly exercise to increase stamina and calcium content of bones and avoid obesity which causes more load on weak bones and joints.
Kindly consult your Doctor and get a thorough examination and you can get investigations like Doppler to check the arterial status and whether you need any further treatment for your PVD and rule out Deep vein thrombosis which can also cause leg pain and swelling.
Xray, CT scan can tell if you have Osteoporosis and treatment accordingly.
I hope I have answered your query.
Thanking you.
Regards,
Dr. Aashish Raghu
Need to rule out Osteoporosis
Detailed Answer:
Hi there.
Welcome to Healthcare Magic.
I have read your query and understood your problem.
Persons with PVD have bad arterial flow to the lower limb and hence less supply of oxygen to the muscles and other tissues of the lower limb. This causes pain on walking distance, standing for long hours, cycling, climbing stairs.
You have mentioned that you have pain over your hips. Do you limp ?
At the age of 70, the are high chances of Bone turnover disorder called Osteoporosis, where the bone thickness reduces and hence the strength of the bone is less, causing pain on weight bearing and less stamina and capacity to weight bearing and stability.
It is recommended to eat diet rich in calcium like cheese, nuts, green leafy vegetables, pulses, chicken, lean meat, eggs. This will help to increase strength of the bones and help prevent Vitamin D and Calcium deficiency.
Avoid strenuous exercise, smoking, alcohol, colas. Regularly exercise to increase stamina and calcium content of bones and avoid obesity which causes more load on weak bones and joints.
Kindly consult your Doctor and get a thorough examination and you can get investigations like Doppler to check the arterial status and whether you need any further treatment for your PVD and rule out Deep vein thrombosis which can also cause leg pain and swelling.
Xray, CT scan can tell if you have Osteoporosis and treatment accordingly.
I hope I have answered your query.
Thanking you.
Regards,
Dr. Aashish Raghu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
Thank you Dr. XXXXXXX for your thoughts and helpful insight.
Would PVC or Venous Insufficiency cause my aching legs? I do not have pain in my legs when I walk - only now for 2 weeks a pain in back part of left knee. Or if I have arterial blockages would it cause my aching legs?
I had bone density test in May and I do not have Osteoporosis.
There are times that my "butt bones" hurt as do my hip joints (I do not limp but the hip areas are tender to touch). If I have pelvic problems or spinal problems that I'm unaware of, could that cause aching legs?
I've never had an Xray or CT scan of my spine or pelvic region but generally feel no pain.
Would PVC or Venous Insufficiency cause my aching legs? I do not have pain in my legs when I walk - only now for 2 weeks a pain in back part of left knee. Or if I have arterial blockages would it cause my aching legs?
I had bone density test in May and I do not have Osteoporosis.
There are times that my "butt bones" hurt as do my hip joints (I do not limp but the hip areas are tender to touch). If I have pelvic problems or spinal problems that I'm unaware of, could that cause aching legs?
I've never had an Xray or CT scan of my spine or pelvic region but generally feel no pain.
Brief Answer:
Arthritis, Baker's cyst, Osteomalacia
Detailed Answer:
Hi there.
Thanks for your Follow up query.
Yes, DVT and PVD can cause pain in the legs. Since you have pain in the knee, or could be due to arthritis, Baker's cyst, arterial disorders, malalignment syndromes etc.
Since your butt bones hurt as well it could be due to soft tissue inflammation of the fluid bags under your butt bones called bursae or could be due to weak bones.
I highly recommend you to consult with your Doctor about the possibility of certain diseases like Osteomalacia, Paget's disease, etc. which can cause this presentation.
You will need a thorough examination to rule them out. You can get treated for Vitamin D and Calcium deficiency by blood tests for the same after consulting with your Doctor.
Kindly be on a healthy diet and avoid junk food. Be in a regular exercise regime to stay fit and healthy.
I hope I have answered your query.
Thanking you.
Regards,
Dr. Aashish Raghu
Arthritis, Baker's cyst, Osteomalacia
Detailed Answer:
Hi there.
Thanks for your Follow up query.
Yes, DVT and PVD can cause pain in the legs. Since you have pain in the knee, or could be due to arthritis, Baker's cyst, arterial disorders, malalignment syndromes etc.
Since your butt bones hurt as well it could be due to soft tissue inflammation of the fluid bags under your butt bones called bursae or could be due to weak bones.
I highly recommend you to consult with your Doctor about the possibility of certain diseases like Osteomalacia, Paget's disease, etc. which can cause this presentation.
You will need a thorough examination to rule them out. You can get treated for Vitamin D and Calcium deficiency by blood tests for the same after consulting with your Doctor.
Kindly be on a healthy diet and avoid junk food. Be in a regular exercise regime to stay fit and healthy.
I hope I have answered your query.
Thanking you.
Regards,
Dr. Aashish Raghu
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
Answered by
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