What causes leg pain in a 30-year-old woman?

Sep 28, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Lei
Introduction
Leg pain in a 30-year-old woman may be caused by overexertion and muscle strain, cold exposure leading to blood vessel constriction, lumbar disc herniation, lower extremity varicose veins, or knee synovitis. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and receive symptomatic treatment under a doctor's guidance. In daily life, it is important to maintain good posture, avoid prolonged standing or sitting, and perform appropriate leg stretching exercises.

Under normal circumstances, leg pain in a 30-year-old woman may be caused by excessive fatigue and muscle strain, cold exposure leading to blood vessel constriction, lumbar disc herniation, lower extremity varicose veins, or knee synovitis. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention, identify the underlying cause, and receive symptomatic treatment under a doctor's guidance. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Excessive fatigue and muscle strain: Prolonged standing, brisk walking, or over-exercising can cause continuous tension in leg muscles, resulting in strain and pain. Reduce leg load, rest adequately, apply heat therapy or massage to relax muscles, and elevate legs appropriately to promote blood circulation and relieve discomfort.

2. Cold-induced blood vessel constriction: Long-term exposure of the legs to cold environments causes blood vessels to constrict, impairing blood flow and causing pain. Add warm clothing promptly, soak feet in warm water, or apply heat packs to the legs to improve local circulation and reduce pain.

3. Lumbar disc herniation: Prolonged sitting or poor posture can lead to lumbar disc protrusion, compressing nerve roots and radiating pain to the legs. Patients may take medications such as mecobalamin tablets, ibuprofen sustained-release capsules, or Yaotongning capsules under medical supervision to nourish nerves and relieve pain. Lumbar traction therapy should also be considered, while avoiding prolonged sitting or standing.

4. Lower extremity varicose veins: Prolonged standing or abnormal venous valve function can obstruct venous return in the lower limbs, causing leg aching and pain accompanied by visible bulging veins. Patients may take medications such as micronized purified flavonoid fraction (Daflon), diosmin tablets, or calcium dobesilate capsules as prescribed to improve venous circulation.

5. Knee synovitis: Joint injury or overuse of the knee can trigger inflammation of the synovial membrane, causing leg pain along with joint swelling and limited mobility. In severe cases, arthroscopic synovectomy may be required to remove diseased synovial tissue, reduce inflammatory response, and restore knee function.

In daily life, it is important to maintain good posture, avoid prolonged standing or sitting, perform appropriate leg stretching exercises to strengthen muscles, keep legs warm, wear comfortable footwear, minimize leg strain, and reduce the likelihood of developing leg pain.