Leg and arm pain can occur simultaneously for several reasons, the most common ones being neurological issues, overuse of the muscles in those areas, arthritis, illness, and even restless leg syndrome (RLS). If the pain occurs frequently or chronically, a visit to a healthcare professional is in order to ensure the problem is not serious. Fibromyalgia may also be responsible for leg and arm pain, though this condition is quite difficult to diagnose. In certain areas of the world, Lyme disease may also be responsible for causing pain in the arms and legs; this disease is transmitted to humans and animals by deer ticks.
Nerve damage can lead to leg and arm pain, though those two areas of the body are generally served by different nerves. Compression in the spine can lead to herniated discs, which can in turn put pressure on the nerves that service the arms or the legs. If more than one disc becomes herniated, pain may be the result of compression on more than one nerve. The nerves will send sharp pain through those areas of the body. Other types of discomfort may include numbness, tingling, weakness, or a loss of motor control in the limbs. If such nerve pain persists, or if a person experiences a loss of motor control, he or she should seek medical attention immediately.
Different types of arthritis can cause pain in the arms and legs, as well as in other parts of the body. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that affects the joints. Cartilage, which is a flexible connective tissue found around the bones that make up the joint, breaks down, causing pain and inflammation. There is no cure for arthritis, but pain management techniques are available to help people live with the condition. A medical professional may prescribe anti-inflammatory medications and painkillers, as well as a regular regimen of exercise and stretching.
Lyme disease occurs after a person or animal is bitten by a deer tick. The tick passes the disease to the human, who is likely to experience several adverse symptoms. Some people who don’t know they have been bitten by a deer tick are at high risk of developing arthritis, and they may feel achiness or stiffness in the joints not long after being infected with the disease. Immediate treatment can help prevent the symptoms from becoming worse, but left untreated, leg and arm pain may develop frequently or chronically.