What causes sudden pain in the right leg that makes walking impossible?

Generally, sudden pain in the right leg that prevents walking may be caused by intense exercise, accidental sprains, lumbar disc herniation, lower limb venous thrombosis, or knee meniscus injury. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and receive symptomatic treatment under a doctor's guidance. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Intense Exercise: Failure to warm up before exercising or excessive sweating during physical activity leading to electrolyte imbalance may trigger sudden muscle cramps in the right leg, causing pain, stiffness, and inability to walk. Immediately stop all activity, sit or lie down to relax the right leg, and gently massage the affected area.

2. Accidental Sprain: Accidents such as misstepping while walking or colliding with objects may strain ligaments and tendons around the right leg joints, resulting in pain and limited mobility. Apply cold compresses within the first 48 hours after injury to reduce swelling, switch to heat compresses after 48 hours to promote healing, and avoid putting weight on the right leg in the short term.

3. Lumbar Disc Herniation: Protrusion of a lumbar intervertebral disc compressing the right nerve root can cause radiating pain and numbness in the right leg, making normal walking difficult. Patients may take medications such as mecobalamin tablets, ibuprofen sustained-release capsules, or eperisone hydrochloride tablets under medical supervision to nourish nerves and relieve pain and muscle spasms.

4. Lower Limb Venous Thrombosis: Prolonged bed rest or sitting for extended periods may lead to blood stasis in the veins of the right leg, forming clots that cause leg swelling, pain, and difficulty walking. Patients should take anticoagulant medications such as rivaroxaban tablets, dabigatran etexilate capsules, or warfarin sodium tablets as prescribed by a physician.

5. Knee Meniscus Injury: Trauma from twisting forces on the knee joint may damage the meniscus, causing pain and locking sensations in the right knee, affecting walking ability. Mild injuries can be managed with rest and wearing a knee brace for protection; severe cases may require arthroscopic meniscus repair or meniscectomy to restore damaged tissues.

In daily life, pay attention to walking safety, avoid strenuous exercise and overexertion, and wear appropriate protective gear during physical activities to safeguard joints. After the pain in the right leg subsides, gradually begin mild rehabilitation exercises such as slow walking or joint mobility training to help restore leg function.