I’m sorry your mother is going through this—severe leg pain that prevents walking is something that deserves proper medical evaluation rather than home guessing.
From what you described (rheumatism/arthritis + varicose veins + leg pain), there are a few possible overlapping causes, such as:
- Arthritis (knee/hip joints): can make walking very painful or difficult
- Varicose veins / poor circulation: can cause heaviness, aching, swelling, burning pain
- Inflammation or nerve pain (sciatica or neuropathy): can also limit mobility
- Sometimes more than one of these happens together, especially in older adults
🚨 When this becomes urgent
If she has any of these, she should be seen urgently (same day if possible):
- Sudden worsening pain or inability to stand/walk
- One leg is swollen, red, warm (possible clot/infection)
- Fever with joint pain
- Severe calf pain or tenderness
- Numbness or weakness in the leg
- Chest pain or shortness of breath (emergency)
🩺 What you should do next
Given she “can’t walk because of pain,” she should ideally be evaluated by a:
- Orthopedic doctor (arthritis/joints)
- Vascular specialist (varicose veins/circulation)
They may need:
- Leg examination + joint check
- Ultrasound of veins (to rule out clots or severe venous disease)
- X-ray of knees/hips if arthritis suspected
- Blood tests for inflammation or rheumatism
🧊 What you can do safely at home meanwhile
(Only as temporary relief until she is seen)
For varicose veins:
- Keep legs elevated above heart level when resting
- Avoid long standing/sitting
- Light ankle movements if she can tolerate it
- Compression stockings may help if no arterial disease is suspected
For arthritis pain:
- Warm compress (often helps stiffness)
- Gentle passive movement (don’t force walking through severe pain)
- Supportive knee/ankle brace if needed
General care:
- Avoid heavy massage if there is swelling (important)
- Ensure hydration and comfortable positioning
- Pain medicines should be used carefully—especially if she has kidney, stomach, or heart issues (best guided by a doctor)
Important point
Because she cannot walk, this is no longer just “routine pain management”—it needs a proper diagnosis to avoid missing something treatable (like severe joint degeneration or vascular problems).
If you want, tell me:
- Her age
- Which exact part hurts most (knee, calf, hip, whole leg?)
- Any swelling or visible veins
- How long this has been going on
I can help you narrow down what is most likely and what to ask the doctor specifically.
