My mother, age 62, has problems moving her legs after sitting. It happens pretty frequently, she will be sitting for maybe 10 minutes get up walk 2 to 4 steps and then have to support herself by leaning on something for several seconds before regaining the ability to walk. She has fallen a couple times due to this. She says she can’t really describe what it feels like, but does not feel like the pins and needles feeling you get when some part of your body falls asleep. Any ideas of what this could be?

Answered by Maria/MD Health Forum. com Team

There are various possible causes of leg pain. It may be secondary to conditions affecting the blood vessels of the legs. Leg pain or aching that occurs after prolonged sitting or standing could be related to venous congestion or buildup of fluid in the leg veins. The veins are the blood vessels where unoxygenated blood flows. When the valves in the leg veins do not function properly, venous congestion may arise. One possible cause of valve problem is phlebitis or inflammation of a vein. In people with phlebitis, the blood do not return to the heart as efficiently as it should, this would cause blood to accumulate or pool in the lower extremities. Individuals who have venous congestion experience leg pain which is more evident after sitting or standing, it may also is accompanied by swelling. Poor physical condition, smoking and injury to the legs are known risk factors for phlebitis. Aside from phlebitis, varicose veins can also predispose venous congestion.

Your mom’s symptoms require a doctor’s evaluation. Diagnosis will be based on medical history and physical assessment. Measures to improve venous return may be recommended by the doctor, this may include wearing compression stockings as well as increasing physical activity. The doctor may also recommend to elevate the legs above heart level for 15 minutes to half an hour when they are aching.

Another possible cause of leg pain is a condition referred to as peripheral artery disease. This is due to a partial or complete blockage of blood circulation in the arteries of the leg. One of its symptoms is intermittent claudication, this is experienced as cramping pain while walking. This disturbance in the blood flow may be caused by atherosclerosis, a condition characterized by the hardening of the arteries. Health history taking and physical examination must be carried out to diagnose leg artery disease. The assessment may include checking the blood pressure in the legs. Doctors also check the strength of the pulse in arteries located at the back of the knee and on the foot, if the pulses in those areas are weak or absent, it may indicate leg artery disease. Diagnostic procedures such as arteriography, MRI or ultrasound may be requested to further assess the condition on the arteries. Generally, the treatment will be based on the severity of the condition. For less-advanced cases, the doctor may opt for drug therapy, this may include antihypertensives, anticholesterol and medicines to prevent blood from clotting. In advanced cases, surgery may be required.

Deep vein thrombosis also manifests as leg pain.

This blog entry is for general information only. Your mom should discuss her symptoms with her own doctor.

References:
http://www.debakeydepartmentofsurgery.org/home/content.cfm?proc_name=Leg+Artery+Disease&content_id=274 accessed 5.4.09
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/phlebitis/article_em.htm accessed 5.4.09

Tags: atherosclerosis, leg aching, leg artery disease, leg pain, obesity, peripheral artery disease, phlebitis, thrombosis