I’m sorry your mother is dealing with pain severe enough that she can no longer walk. Leg pain with rheumatism, varicose veins, or arthritis can have several causes, and loss of mobility is a sign that she should be assessed by a healthcare professional rather than treated only at home.
A few questions can help understand the situation:
- How old is your mother?
- Is the pain in one leg or both legs?
- Did she stop walking suddenly or did it get worse gradually?
- Is there swelling, redness, warmth, skin color changes, ulcers, or visible enlarged veins?
- Does she have fever, numbness, weakness, back pain, or loss of bladder/bowel control?
- Has she been diagnosed by a doctor with arthritis, rheumatism, or varicose veins?
Seek urgent medical care today if she has:
- Sudden inability to walk or bear weight
- One leg that is swollen, red, hot, and painful (possible blood clot)
- New weakness, numbness, or paralysis
- Severe pain after a fall or injury
- Chest pain or shortness of breath
Until she is evaluated:
- Avoid forcing her to walk through severe pain.
- Keep the leg elevated if swelling is present.
- Use gentle movement of the ankles and joints if she can tolerate it.
- Avoid deep massage of a swollen, hot, or very painful leg until a clot has been ruled out.
If you tell me her age, symptoms (swelling or not, where the pain is, how long it has been), and any medical conditions (diabetes, blood pressure, etc.), I can help you think through what may be happening and what type of doctor is most appropriate.
