Updated:
by
Omonuwa Adah, MD, BSN
Medically reviewed by Omonuwa Adah, MD, BSN, on February 15, 2026
Leg pain is one of the most common physical complaints among adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 36.5 percent of U.S. adults reported lower-limb pain in the past three months, with prevalence increasing sharply with age. Nearly half of adults age 65 and older report ongoing lower-limb discomfort.
Leg pain can feel like aching, burning, heaviness, cramping, or tightness. Symptoms often worsen after long periods of standing or sitting and may occur alongside swelling, skin changes, or visible veins. While occasional soreness is common, persistent pain in both legs often points to an underlying medical condition.
Although muscle or joint issues are frequent causes of leg discomfort, persistent pain in both legs is commonly associated with venous insufficiency. We spoke with Center for Vein Restoration vein expert Dr. Omonuwa Adah about why identifying the underlying cause is key to effective treatment. Dr. Adah is the lead physician at CVR’s vein clinic in Hamilton, New Jersey.
Vein disease is a common but often overlooked cause of chronic leg pain. Evaluation by a dedicated vein specialist can help determine whether circulation problems are contributing to symptoms At Center for Vein Restoration, the nation’s largest physician-led vein center, care focuses on accurate diagnosis and evidence-based vein treatment to improve comfort, mobility, and quality of life.
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Leg pain can result from wear and tear, overuse, or injuries affecting muscles, joints, bones, or tendons. In some cases, pain originates in the lower spine, where nerve compression causes discomfort that travels into both legs. Circulation problems are another common cause and may include blood clots, varicose veins, or poor blood flow.
According to the Mayo Clinic, leg pain may stem from musculoskeletal conditions, nerve disorders, or blood flow problems such as peripheral artery disease and vein disease.
When pain affects both legs and lasts for weeks or months, physicians often evaluate causes such as:
Among these, chronic venous insufficiency is extremely common yet frequently overlooked, affecting more than 25 million U.S. adults, with millions developing advanced disease that causes leg pain, swelling, and skin damage, according to ScienceDirect.
Your leg veins return blood to your heart against gravity using small one-way valves. When these valves weaken or fail, blood flows backward and pools in the legs, increasing pressure and reducing healthy circulation.
This condition is called chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). According to the Cleveland Clinic, CVI affects an estimated 40 percent of adults in the United States, yet many never receive treatment. Symptoms may include leg pain, heaviness, swelling, skin discoloration, itching, cramping, restless legs, and fatigue.
As pressure builds over time, veins can stretch and enlarge, leading to varicose veins and spider veins. While spider veins are often cosmetic, varicose veins caused by vein disease are a medical condition that may worsen without evaluation and treatment.
You may be dealing with vein disease if leg pain is accompanied by:
The American Medical Association (AMA) notes that vein disease can progress to painful ulcers and reduced mobility, yet many patients delay care because they believe symptoms are a normal part of aging.
Vein disease is not a normal part of aging.
At a specialized vein center, board-certified vein doctors at Center for Vein Restoration use gentle, noninvasive ultrasound to evaluate circulation, assess valve function, and determine whether venous insufficiency contributes to persistent symptoms. This enables treatment decisions to address the cause of leg pain, not just the symptoms.
👉 Book your consultation with a CVR vein specialist today and discover how simple relief can be.
Modern vein treatment corrects poor circulation caused by damaged veins, improving blood flow and reducing pressure in the legs. At Center for Vein Restoration, vein treatments are minimally invasive, outpatient procedures that typically take an hour or less, with most patients returning home the same day.
Board-certified vein specialists tailor each treatment plan based on symptoms, vein anatomy, and disease severity. Procedures are performed under local anesthesia, allowing patients to remain awake and comfortable with little downtime.
Common vein treatment options include:
By treating the underlying cause of venous insufficiency, these therapies can reduce leg pain, swelling, heaviness, and fatigue, helping patients regain mobility and quality of life.
While not all vein problems can be prevented, healthy habits can slow progression and reduce discomfort.
Helpful strategies include:
These steps support circulation and can help prevent leg pain from worsening over time.
Ongoing leg pain may signal venous disease, and delaying care can allow symptoms to progress. Untreated venous insufficiency may lead to chronic swelling, skin breakdown, and open wounds.
At Center for Vein Restoration, expert vein specialists use painless ultrasound testing to identify the cause of leg pain and create personalized treatment plans focused on lasting relief. Scheduling an evaluation is an important step toward protecting your circulation, mobility, and long-term health.
1. What causes constant pain in both legs?
Constant pain in both legs can be caused by many conditions, including muscle or joint problems, nerve issues, and circulation disorders. One of the most common and overlooked causes is chronic venous insufficiency, where damaged vein valves allow blood to pool in the legs.
2. How can I tell if my leg pain is related to vein disease?
Leg pain may be related to vein disease if it comes with swelling, heaviness, aching that worsens by evening, with skin discoloration or visible varicose or spider veins. Symptoms that get worse after long periods of standing or sitting are also common signs of venous insufficiency.
3. Are varicose veins and spider veins just cosmetic?
Spider veins are often cosmetic, but varicose veins are a medical condition that can signal underlying vein disease. Both can be signs of poor circulation and may worsen over time if the underlying vein problem is not evaluated or treated.
4. How is chronic venous insufficiency diagnosed?
Chronic venous insufficiency is diagnosed using a painless ultrasound exam that evaluates blood flow and vein valve function. This test helps a vein specialist determine whether poor circulation is contributing to leg pain and other symptoms.
5. Can vein treatment really help relieve leg pain?
Yes, treating venous insufficiency can significantly reduce leg pain, swelling, heaviness, and fatigue. Modern vein treatments are minimally invasive, performed on an outpatient basis, and designed to improve circulation by rerouting blood to healthier veins.
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