You might not think much of a burning sensation in the leg below the knee at first. Maybe it comes and goes, or you notice it more after standing for long periods. Over time, that heat, tingling, or burning legs feeling can become harder to ignore. It might show up as a subtle warm feeling in your lower leg, or as sharper leg pain that disrupts your day. These changes in how your legs feel are your body’s way of telling you something isn’t right with your blood flow or the surrounding nerves.
Knowing what’s behind that burning sensation matters because the sensation in the legs can be linked to several conditions—from circulation issues to nerve-related problems. In this article, you’ll learn what can cause this discomfort, what signs suggest a more serious concern, and the treatment options that can help. You’ll also get practical tips for protecting your leg health and preventing the problem from worsening.
Causes of Burning Sensations Below the Knee
A burning sensation in the legs can have many origins, and understanding them is key to finding the right treatment. Sometimes, the cause is as straightforward as irritated skin or muscle fatigue. Other times, it signals a deeper problem with your blood vessels, leg veins, or nerves.
Knowing the underlying cause helps you and your healthcare professional choose the most effective approach and prevent long-term damage. Here are some common reasons for that leg burning sensation:
- Venous Insufficiency: This occurs when the valves in your leg veins don’t work properly, allowing blood pooling and pressure buildup that can lead to varicose veins, swelling, and a burning sensation.
- Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): Narrowed blood vessels reduce proper blood flow to the lower leg, leading to poor circulation, cramping, and burning pain, especially during activity.
- Nerve Damage: Conditions like diabetes, injury, or nerve compression from the sciatic nerve can cause abnormal signals in the leg muscles, creating a constant or intermittent warm sensation or burning sensation.
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): A blood clot in a deep vein can cause swelling, severe burning sensation, and leg discomfort. It requires immediate medical attention to prevent serious complications.
- Restless Leg Syndrome: This neurological condition creates uncomfortable sensations and an urge to move your legs, often paired with a burning sensation in the legs at night.
- Chronic Venous Insufficiency: Long-term vein disease where affected veins can’t return blood effectively, causing skin discoloration, swelling, and other symptoms like difficulty walking.
- Peripheral Neuropathy: A type of nerve damage from various causes, including diabetes and alcohol use, that results in a burning sensation, numbness, or tingling in the lower leg.
- Poor Blood Circulation: Sedentary habits, prolonged sitting, or medical conditions can slow blood circulation, leading to burning legs and fatigue.
- Nerve Irritation or Compression: Pinched nerves in the spine or knee can cause localized burning sensations and weakness in specific areas of the lower leg.
- Varicose Veins in the Legs: Twisted veins under the skin can cause a warm sensation, swelling, and aching that often gets worse after standing.
When to Seek Treatment for Burning Sensations Below the Knee
If a burning sensation in your lower leg does not go away, gets worse, or appears with other symptoms such as swelling, skin discoloration, or sudden severe pain, seek medical attention right away. These signs can point to conditions that benefit from early intervention.
You should also seek medical advice if the burning sensation in your legs interferes with daily activities, disrupts sleep, or is accompanied by numbness, tingling, or weakness, which may indicate nerve damage or nerve compression.
Diagnosis for Burning Sensations in the Leg Below the Knee
When you visit a healthcare professional, the first step will be a thorough medical evaluation to identify the underlying cause. This may include:
- A physical exam
- Reviewing your medical history and risk factors
- Ordering diagnostic tests such as ultrasound, imaging tests, or blood work to check circulation and nerve function
Once the cause is clear, your provider will recommend the most appropriate treatment. A proper diagnosis is key to finding the right treatment strategy that restores comfort and supports your long-term leg health.
5 Treatment Options for Burning Sensations Below the Knee
Finding the right treatment for a burning sensation in the legs starts with understanding what’s causing it. No matter where the symptoms stem from, the goal is to restore proper blood flow, relieve leg discomfort, and address any underlying vein disease or nerve issues.
The right approach depends on your specific diagnosis, overall health, and personal goals for both function and appearance. When combined with medical care, the following five treatment strategies can treat burning sensations and protect your long-term leg health.
1. Compression Stockings
Compression stockings are specialized garments that apply gentle pressure to your legs, helping improve blood circulation and prevent blood pooling in affected veins. They are often recommended for:
- Venous insufficiency
- Varicose veins
- Chronic venous insufficiency
The compression supports vein walls, allowing proper blood flow back to the heart and reducing burning sensation and swelling. You’ll wear them during the day, especially when standing or sitting for long periods, and remove them at night.
They can significantly reduce swelling, relieve leg burning sensation, and support overall leg health. Most people can resume all activities immediately while using stockings, and many notice symptom relief within days.
2. Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive medical treatment in which a vein specialist injects a solution into affected veins through a tiny incision, causing the vein walls to stick together and close. This redirects blood flow to healthier blood vessels to relieve burning legs and discomfort from varicose veins or spider veins. Foam sclerotherapy mixes the solution with air to treat larger or twisted veins for better contact with the vein wall.
The procedure is performed in-office, requires no anesthesia, and takes less than an hour. You can walk immediately afterward, and most patients return to daily activities the same day. Vein fading happens gradually over several weeks, with a noticeable reduction in sensation in the legs and visible improvement in skin appearance.
3. Endovenous Laser Ablation
Endovenous laser ablation uses laser energy to close affected veins, causing venous insufficiency and a burning sensation. Guided by ultrasound, a thin fiber is inserted into the vein, and laser heat seals it shut. This eliminates backward blood flow, restoring healthy circulation and reducing leg burning and swelling.
Recovery is quick, with most patients returning to normal activities the next day. Mild soreness or a warm sensation along the treated vein may occur temporarily, but symptoms improve quickly as the body reroutes blood to healthier veins.
4. Medications and Nerve Treatments
Medications may be prescribed for burning sensations in the legs caused by nerve damage, nerve irritation, or nerve compression. These include:
- Anti-inflammatories
- Nerve-pain agents
- Topical creams
In some cases, your doctor may recommend physical therapy to strengthen leg muscles, improve posture, and relieve pressure on nerves. These approaches target the underlying cause by reducing inflammation, calming overactive nerve signals, and improving mobility. Recovery depends on the severity of the nerve issue, but gradual improvement in uncomfortable sensations and burning pain is common with consistent care.
5. Lifestyle Modifications
Lifestyle changes can significantly help treat burning sensations by improving blood circulation and reducing risk factors. Some that contribute to better leg health include:
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Eating a balanced diet
- Staying active
- Elevating the legs and performing regular stretches to increase blood flow and prevent blood pooling
Stop the Burn and Start Healing with The Kimmel Institute
A burning sensation in the legs is your body’s signal that something deeper may be affecting your blood flow, nerves, or leg veins. The good news is that you can get lasting relief, restore comfort, and protect your leg health for the future with the right evaluation and care. Early action can make a big difference in recovery and quality of life.
At the Kimmel Institute, you’ll receive care from a board-certified cardiovascular surgeon with over 30 years of experience and a team dedicated to treatment strategies that truly work. Using advanced diagnostic tools, we identify the underlying cause and create an individualized plan—whether that’s advanced vein procedures, compression stockings, or targeted medical treatments—so you get the right treatment the first time.
If you’re tired of living with a burning sensation and want answers you can trust, contact us today to schedule your consultation. Let us help you find relief, improve your blood circulation, and feel confident in your legs again.