What causes leg pain in elderly people?
Jul 03, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
Leg pain in elderly individuals may be caused by factors such as insufficient physical activity, muscle fatigue, varicose veins, lumbar disc herniation, or rheumatoid arthritis. In daily life, elderly individuals should maintain moderate physical activity, avoid excessive fatigue, and pay attention to abnormal leg symptoms such as swelling and pain. Prompt rest and adjustment are recommended to maintain lower limb health.
Generally, the calf refers to the posterior part of the lower leg. Pain in this area among the elderly may be caused by lack of exercise, muscle fatigue, varicose veins, lumbar disc herniation, rheumatoid arthritis, and other reasons. Treatment options include general therapies and medications under a doctor's guidance. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Lack of Exercise
Due to declining physical function or changes in lifestyle, elderly individuals often reduce their daily activity levels. This can lead to insufficient exercise of the leg muscles, resulting in weakened muscle strength, slower blood circulation, and subsequent pain in the posterior calf. Encourage regular, moderate low-intensity physical activities such as walking or tai chi.
2. Muscle Fatigue
Excessive or inappropriate physical activity can cause leg muscles to become overworked and fatigued in elderly individuals, leading to lactic acid buildup and pain in the posterior calf. Reduce physical activity levels in daily life and allow sufficient rest and recovery time.
3. Varicose Veins
Varicose veins may result from prolonged standing, venous reflux, or congenital developmental abnormalities. In elderly individuals, weakened vascular elasticity and impaired venous valve function can obstruct blood return, causing calf pain, and may be accompanied by symptoms such as lower limb swelling, increased skin temperature, and tortuous vein dilation. Follow medical advice to use medications such as diosmin tablets, shuxuening injection, and calcium dobesilate capsules for treatment.
4. Lumbar Disc Herniation
Lumbar disc herniation may be caused by disc degeneration, repeated bending or twisting, or developmental abnormalities. A herniated disc may compress nerve roots, affecting areas innervated by nerves, such as the lower limbs, causing pain and numbness in the posterior calf, along with symptoms like lower back pain and sciatica. Under medical guidance, medications such as mecobalamin tablets, gentongping granules, and yaotongning capsules may be used for treatment.
5. Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis may result from a combination of genetic, environmental, immune system dysfunction, and endocrine factors. The inflammation affects joints and surrounding tissues, causing joint pain and swelling. Although multiple joints are typically involved, lower limb joints are frequently affected, leading to posterior calf pain, along with symptoms such as joint swelling, morning stiffness, and limited mobility. Follow medical advice to use medications such as leflunomide tablets, hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets, and diclofenac sodium enteric-coated tablets for treatment.
It is important for elderly individuals to maintain moderate physical activity, avoid excessive fatigue, monitor leg symptoms such as swelling and pain, and rest promptly when needed to maintain lower limb health.
