Pitfalls in the diagnosis of leg pain

Problems may confront the practitioner in the diagnosis of leg pain related to exercise. The diagnostic features of the history and the physical examination that will help to elucidate the various causes of leg pain are outlined in this article, and the necessity for re-examination of the patient after a period of exercise is stressed. In most patients the diagnosis can most easily be made by means of clinical methods, without recourse to special investigations.