When your legs feel heavy—like they’re made of cement—everything becomes more difficult. You may struggle with work or exercise. You may even avoid tasks you enjoy, like gardening or walking the dog, because it’s so uncomfortable. Don’t mistake this for a natural part of aging. Heavy, tired legs can indicate a serious health concern that shouldn’t be ignored. Getting a medical evaluation is the first step to finding relief.

Should I be concerned if my legs feel heavy?

If you experience sensations of tiredness, heaviness, weakness, or pain in your legs, it’s a good idea to speak with your doctor. Not only can this discomfort reduce your quality of life by limiting your mobility, it can signal an underlying health issue. Several medical conditions can lead to leg pain and heaviness, including problems involving your circulation. To ensure you receive appropriate treatment and prevent future complications, you should schedule an appointment to have your legs evaluated.

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What are heavy legs a symptom of?

Heavy legs can be a symptom of a variety of medical conditions.

• Arthritis is joint inflammation, some types of which can cause muscle pain or weakness in your legs.
• Gout is a specific type of arthritis caused by a build-up of urate crystals in your joints. It most often affects the big toe but can occur in any joint. It may result in a sensation of intense pain, lingering discomfort, or limited range of motion in your leg(s).
• Sciatica is caused by pressure or irritation to the sciatic nerve. It can lead to radiating leg pain, numbness or weakness. Typically you’ll only feel it in one leg.

However, the most serious conditions that cause heavy legs involve your circulatory system.

• Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) is one of the top causes of heavy legs. It is an issue with your veins that causes blood to pool in your legs leading to symptoms such as pain, aching, swelling, and varicose veins. Because of the close association between heavy legs and CVI, getting checked at a vein clinic is a good place to start when looking for relief.
• Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is the most concerning cause of heavy legs. It happens when your arteries become narrowed, restricting blood flow to one or more of your extremities. The reduced availability of oxygenated blood can lead to muscle pain (particularly when walking), cramping, numbness, and coldness in the lower leg or foot. If left untreated, PAD can result in loss of the limb.

How heavy legs are diagnosed

Only a medical exam can definitively answer why your legs feel heavy. During your appointment, your doctor will evaluate your symptoms and use diagnostic tests to confirm the diagnosis. They will then advise you on what to do next.

Step 1: Medical History

Your doctor will begin by taking a complete medical history. It’s important to be honest and share any medical conditions you have (like diabetes or high blood pressure) along with all prescription, over-the-counter, or recreational drugs that you take. They may ask you to elaborate on your symptoms, describing what your legs feel like, what makes them feel worse, and what makes them feel better.

Step 2: Physical Exam

Your doctor will perform a physical exam including looking for skin changes like redness, swelling, or varicose veins on your legs. They may check the pulses in your feet and behind your knees. They may also assess any loss of sensation on your legs or feet.

Step 3: Diagnostic Tests

To confirm their findings, your doctor will usually order diagnostic tests. For example, a venous ultrasound (vein mapping) will show how blood flows through your veins and if you have CVI. A Doppler ultrasound can be used to detect reduced blood flow through your arteries indicating that you have PAD.

What can be done to fix heavy legs

Once you have a diagnosis, your doctor will work with you to develop a treatment plan to relieve the discomfort in your legs.

If you have arthritis, gout, or sciatica, your primary care doctor or rheumatologist will likely prescribe medications (often anti-inflammatories) to manage your symptoms. They may also talk to you about lifestyle changes, exercise, or physical therapy. Rarely would you need surgical intervention for these conditions.

The treatment for PAD will depend on how advanced it is. You’ll likely be referred to a vascular specialist to determine if medication is enough to slow the disease and improve your symptoms or if surgery is required to restore blood flow in your leg(s).

CVI is most commonly treated at a vein clinic with an outpatient procedure called venous closure. This procedure can be done in the doctor’s office and usually takes less than an hour. Most patients will notice significant relief from their heavy legs within a week.

The next step for healthier legs

If you are suffering with tired, achy, heavy legs, it may be a sign of a medical condition in need of attention. At DeKalb Vein Center, we provide comprehensive screenings that can help identify the cause so you can get the treatment you deserve. Call 404-501-9377 today to schedule your consultation.