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What are Common Causes of Leg and Arm Pain?

Dan Cavallari
Dan Cavallari

Leg and arm pain can occur simultaneously for several reasons, the most common ones being neurological issues, overuse of the muscles in those areas, arthritis, illness, and even restless leg syndrome (RLS). If the pain occurs frequently or chronically, a visit to a healthcare professional is in order to ensure the problem is not serious. Fibromyalgia may also be responsible for leg and arm pain, though this condition is quite difficult to diagnose. In certain areas of the world, Lyme disease may also be responsible for causing pain in the arms and legs; this disease is transmitted to humans and animals by deer ticks.

Nerve damage can lead to leg and arm pain, though those two areas of the body are generally served by different nerves. Compression in the spine can lead to herniated discs, which can in turn put pressure on the nerves that service the arms or the legs. If more than one disc becomes herniated, pain may be the result of compression on more than one nerve. The nerves will send sharp pain through those areas of the body. Other types of discomfort may include numbness, tingling, weakness, or a loss of motor control in the limbs. If such nerve pain persists, or if a person experiences a loss of motor control, he or she should seek medical attention immediately.

Restless leg syndrome may cause leg pain.
Restless leg syndrome may cause leg pain.

Different types of arthritis can cause pain in the arms and legs, as well as in other parts of the body. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that affects the joints. Cartilage, which is a flexible connective tissue found around the bones that make up the joint, breaks down, causing pain and inflammation. There is no cure for arthritis, but pain management techniques are available to help people live with the condition. A medical professional may prescribe anti-inflammatory medications and painkillers, as well as a regular regimen of exercise and stretching.

Leg and arm pain may occur as a result of arthritis.
Leg and arm pain may occur as a result of arthritis.

Lyme disease occurs after a person or animal is bitten by a deer tick. The tick passes the disease to the human, who is likely to experience several adverse symptoms. Some people who don't know they have been bitten by a deer tick are at high risk of developing arthritis, and they may feel achiness or stiffness in the joints not long after being infected with the disease. Immediate treatment can help prevent the symptoms from becoming worse, but left untreated, leg and arm pain may develop frequently or chronically.

Discussion Comments

myharley

Any type of ongoing pain is something that should be looked into by a professional. There are so many possible causes for leg and arm pain and weakness. If you have a hard time completing daily tasks, or find yourself in a lot of pain, you will be doing yourself a big favor to find out what is wrong.

Sometimes, it may be nothing more than arthritis or some normal aches and pains that come with aging, but you need to know if there is serious issue involved so you can begin treatment.

Mykol

I am glad you brought up Lyme Disease in your article for possible reasons for arm and leg pain. There can be many reasons for experiencing this type of pain, but it seems that Lyme Disease is not one that is looked at very quickly.

I had some ongoing left arm pain and after much testing, discovered that I had Lyme Disease. I did not even know that I had been bitten by a tick.

If you suffer from this type of discomfort and have not been able to figure out the cause of your symptoms, this may be something you would want to discuss with your doctor.

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    • Restless leg syndrome may cause leg pain.
      By: Marin Conic
      Restless leg syndrome may cause leg pain.
    • Leg and arm pain may occur as a result of arthritis.
      By: ruigsantos
      Leg and arm pain may occur as a result of arthritis.
    • Muscle fatigue commonly causes leg and arm pain.
      By: ArTo
      Muscle fatigue commonly causes leg and arm pain.
    • Lyme disease, which is transmitted by deer tick bites, may cause pain in the arms and legs.
      By: epantha
      Lyme disease, which is transmitted by deer tick bites, may cause pain in the arms and legs.
    • Deer ticks are largely responsible for the spread of Lyme disease.
      By: defun
      Deer ticks are largely responsible for the spread of Lyme disease.
    • A medical professional may prescribe a regular regimen of exercise and stretching to help with leg and arm pain.
      By: and.one
      A medical professional may prescribe a regular regimen of exercise and stretching to help with leg and arm pain.
    • Compression in the spine can lead to herniated discs that put pressure on the nerves that service the arms and legs.
      By: rob3000
      Compression in the spine can lead to herniated discs that put pressure on the nerves that service the arms and legs.