Leg Pain Specialist

What is leg pain?

Leg pain can take many forms. If you experience leg pain, you might be having the following signs or symptoms:

• Dull or aching pain
• Sharp or stabbing pain
• Shooting pain
• Pain that comes and goes
• Chronic pain that doesn’t go away over time
• Painful leg cramping
• Leg numbness or weakness
• Sores on your legs, feet, or toes
• Coldness in your lower legs

In some cases, leg pain indicates a serious blood vessel or heart problem requiring immediate medical attention.

What causes leg pain?

There are a variety of factors that can lead to leg pain, including arthritis, normal wear and tear, a muscle or joint injury, or nerve problems related to diabetes or smoking.

However, other causes of leg pain can be related to your heart or blood vessels and may require medical attention from a cardiologist. Examples include:

• Heart disease
• Peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
• Atherosclerosis, or blocked arterial blood flow
• Blood clots
• Varicose veins
• Chronic venous insufficiency

Leg pain associated with PAD, or the narrowing of peripheral arteries in the legs, arms, stomach, or head, increases your risk of a dangerous heart attack, stroke, or even loss of limb. That’s why early detection and treatment boosts your chance of maintaining a long, healthy life.

What is the treatment for heart-related leg pain?

Dr. Jones determines if leg pain is caused by PAD or another heart-related problem using a physical exam, electrocardiogram (EKG), stress test, blood or imaging tests, blood pressure tests, or cardiac catheterization.

Once the underlying cause has been identified, Dr. Jones discusses treatment options with you. Treatment addresses both the leg pain itself, as well as the condition that’s causing leg pain.

Some recommended treatments may include:

• Walking therapy or other forms of exercise
• Cardiac rehabilitation for heart attack or heart disease recovery
• Taking certain medications
• Clot-dissolving injections
• Wound management
• Dietary changes
• Evidence-based herbal dietary supplements
• Sclerotherapy for varicose veins
• Endovascular revascularization to clear artery blockages and remove plaque
• Bypass surgery

Dr. Jones recommends the most holistic, least invasive options first. However, he also understands the importance of cardiovascular procedures to give you the highest quality of life possible.

When you’re ready to ease leg pain once and for all, call BKLYNCardio today or schedule an appointment online with Dr. Jones.