Lower Extremity Pain

The nerves which control your lower extremities begin in the low back and lower spine. Lower extremity pain may be positional, getting better or worse depending on the body position; episodic, following an activity or without apparent cause, and is triggered as the body adapts to mechanical stress, weak posture and inefficient motion.

Leg Pain

Leg pain is a common complaint. There are many types of leg pain including:

• Inflammatory
• Orthopedic
• Neurologic
• Vascular

Treatment for leg pain depends on the cause. Medications may include pain medicines, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), anticoagulants (blood thinners), and others.

Ankle Pain

There can be many reasons for ankle pain, but it is often due to a sprain or injury. Once an injury, such as a sprain, has occurred the injury might take weeks or months to fully heal.
Other causes of ankle pain include:

• Arthritis
  • Gout
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Psoriatic arthritis
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Septic arthritis
  • Surgery
• Infection

Other structures in the ankle that can be damaged and cause pain are:

• Tendons
• Cartilage
• Blood vessels

Foot Pain

Foot pain can involve any part of your foot, including the toes. It is not always minor especially if it affects your daily life. If not treated, some types of foot pain can lead to long-term damage or disability. How and when the pain occurs and the locations of the pain are the primary clues to what may be causing the pain. Common causes of foot pain include:

• Sprain
• Muscle strain
• Fracture
• Tendonitis
• Disease

Upper Extremity Pain

Pain and injury from daily overuse is a frequent cause of upper extremity pain. In general, the more frequent or the more strain an activity requires, the greater the opportunity for injury and pain.

Upper extremity pain includes:

• Arm pain
• Wrist pain
• Shoulder pain
• Hand pain

Overuse injuries can affect nearly any joint in the upper extremities, but most often affect the shoulders and wrists. Pain may be constant or may appear only during certain activities.

Treatment options for upper extremity pain vary depending on the evaluation and diagnosis.