Lower limb pain

This article summarises lower limb pathology, which results in lower limb pain. It mainly addresses injuries and deliberately omits osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, since these entities are described in detail in other chapters in this volume. As major trauma is not a focal point for rheumatologists and repetitive strain injuries of the lower limb are rare, sports and leisure injuries are the main focus.

Regarding lower limb pain, this chapter describes the most important problems and quantifies the size of the problem. Furthermore, it informs the reader about different treatment modalities, their goals and methods of measuring the effectiveness of the treatment. Evidence is given for different interventions, such as lifestyle, pharmacological, surgery and rehabilitation. In addition, opportunities to apply these interventions for prevention and treatment to those who will potentially benefit most are shown. Finally, strategies (care pathways) are given for prevention and treatment based on this evidence.

Key words: lower limb pain, sports injuries, work-related lower extremity disorders, clinical manifestations, risk factors, prevention, treatment