Lower Extremity Pain

Lower extremity pain affects your legs, knees, or feet. It can indicate a potentially serious problem, so it’s crucial to identify the underlying cause. At the Mint Medical Center in Oakland, California, anti-aging and pain management specialist's Dr. Muhammad Mansour, MS, ND, Angela Lin, NP, and the team offer integrated and minimally invasive therapies to relieve lower extremity pain and prevent it from getting worse. If you have lower extremity pain, call the office today to request an appointment or book one online.

What is lower extremity pain?

Lower extremity pain is any discomfort or stiffness that affects your hips, legs, knees, ankles, or feet. Everyone occasionally experiences lower extremity pain, but it typically improves with rest, ice, and taking over-the-counter pain medicine. Contact the Mint Medical Center immediately if your symptoms continue or affect your quality of life.

What causes lower extremity pain?

Lower extremity pain occurs for various reasons, including:

• Osteoarthritis
• Muscle injuries
• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries
• Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries
• Medial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries
• Lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injuries
• Meniscal injuries
• Patellofemoral pain syndrome (jumper’s knee)
• Patellar tendinitis
• Iliotibial (IT) band syndrome
• Baker’s cysts
• Pinched nerves
• Muscle strains and tears
• Snapping hip syndrome
• Acetabular labral tears
• Pinched nerves
• Achilles tendinitis
• Ankle sprains
• Calf strains
• Plantar fasciitis
• Shin splints
• Calcaneal bursitis

You might also experience lower extremity pain because of a bunion –– a tough bony bump that forms on the outside edge of the base of your big toe.

When should I see a specialist about lower extremity pain?

Make an appointment with the team at Mint Medical Center if you have lower extremity pain lasting more than a week. That’s especially true if the pain occurs alongside bruising, swelling, or the inability to put weight on your affected limb.

How is lower extremity pain diagnosed?

Your Mint Medical Center provider reviews your medical charts and asks about your symptoms, including when the pain started, what it feels like, and where it is. They then examine your hip, leg, knee, or foot, looking for bruising, swelling, or redness. Your provider gently presses on your skin to identify sensitive areas and has you stand, sit, and walk.

If the team suspects an underlying problem, like a broken bone, a dislocated joint, or a ruptured tendon, they order diagnostic imaging (X-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI). After confirming the diagnosis, they recommend treatment.

How is lower extremity pain treated?

The Mint Medical Center team treats lower extremity pain with integrated and minimally invasive therapies. They could recommend:

• Ultrasound-guided injections
• IV (intravenous) therapy
• Peptide therapy
• Shockwave or extracorporeal pulse activation technology (EPAT)
• Physical therapy
• Nerve blocks
• Prolotherapy
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy
• Cellular therapy
• Chiropractic care
• Trigger point injections
• Massage
• Ketamine therapy

It can take several visits to determine which treatment is best for you. Be patient and follow the team’s instructions.

Call the Mint Medical Center today to receive treatment for lower extremity pain, or click the online booking feature to make your appointment.