Vice grip on both legs with both feet feeling stiff on bottoms.

And, BTW, my A1c is fine!!!

Not sure if this thread is still going but it is amazing that I stumbled on these posts and went “what? Someone else has those vice-like sensations in their legs??. My vice like sensation is mainly in my right lower leg but at times can be in both, And then it may move toward a “cooling” sensation (kind of like a menthol cooling). In my research I have found that valve prolems in the legs can cause some of these symptoms. I have feet issues as well with neuropathy, tightness and various painful syptoms. All nerve and muscle tests came back normal but indicate pinched nerves but the neurologist unsure if the pinched nerves were causing all of my symptoms.

I am contemplating getting an ultrasound to assess valve function. I am getting some discoloration on one leg on the shin area as well (dark red spots). The vice like sensation in lower leg is worse first thing in morning but can vary throughout day. It improves after I exercise.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I've had similar sensations during a couple of serious health episodes, describing my feet as feeling "tight." When asked, it's hard to come up with anything more descriptive. There may or may not be any visible signs to go with it. I'm assuming it's some kind of neuropathy. Right now I'm dealing with "chemo feet" and have noticed that sometimes when I elevate my legs (straight up in the air) the "tight" feeling may change into a tingling sensation which has been included in some lists of symptoms of "chemo feet."
Sorry to not have anything more helpful to offer.

I have been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis over 15 months now. As of today, I am experiencing pain in both feet which both feet feel like they are both entrapped in a vice grip and so much pain. I can just barely walk and my balance is so off. I was on Metheroxate which made me quite sick and had to stop taking it and now I am taking Rinvoq, Hydroxchlorquine for it, but it seems it does nothing for my feet but has settle the joint pain in my hands and elbows. I had MRI May 24th 2023 and still waiting the results of this to actually see if there maybe a disc issue or a nerve leaning on it. The pain is debiliaiting. I have seen a Neurologist who seems to think it may be a disc issue but waiting now for the results. Has anyone else had the same issue?

I happened upon this thread by accident, and I literally cried… I thought for sure that no one else knew what I was going through. I had a congenital heart defect that was only found in 2021, which I had to have open-heart surgery to fix in November 2022. When I woke from surgery, I had a numbness I had for lack of better words, from the waist down, my right leg is worse than my left, and it feels exactly as everyone has described. Like a vice grip is grabbing my leg from the knee to right above my toes. The “stepped in glue” sensation is new for a description, but very accurate. I’ve had MRIs of my spine, which showed the normal arthritis for a 49-year-old woman, and my orthopedic doctor does not think that anything out of normal is going on with my spine. I am seeing a neurologist, which I have waited, almost a year to see, in three weeks, I am scared to death that I’m going to be told there’s nothing wrong, and this can’t be fixed. I know, and we all know, that simply isn’t true. As I said that started in November last year, I feel it most all the time never goes away. There is pain associated with it. If I lie down, the sensation is like gravity is pressing down on my body. It’s so heavy. I have difficulty walking- I lose my balance but have not yet fallen. Additionally, my bladder has been affected - it wasn’t perfect before as I have delivered three children, but this is ridiculous. My cardiologist seemed to think it was something called “spinal ischemia “, which, per my research would be a stroke. I’m hoping that it is not. I will update after I see neurology.

So happy to see someone describing what I have been trying to describe to my Physician Assitant regarding feet pads that feel like leather and calf heaviness and achiness. I have not been diagnosed with PA. Went to an Orthopedic re Achilles tendinitis. Asked him about feet and calves. He didn't have a clue. What kind of doctor do I need to see re the leather-like feet pads and calf heaviness and achiness? Anyone know? Thanks!

Not sure if this is related but I have been suffering with neuropathy and no I do not have diabetes, not sure how this came about but it is a nerve problem and over the years I have tried numerous methods to help ease this as it gets worse if not treated, for myself personally I have hit upon a treatment that is working for me, spinal decompression, which is done by a chiropractor but my doctor is both that and a dr of neuropathy, and I have been under treatments for three months and have noticed a difference--that leathery feeling under the feet is the worse and I seem to be getting a handle on it now, plus you need a lot of B-vitamins but I am also undergoing electrical stimulation for the feet plus something called Nerve Plate which is a vibration for the nerves in your feet. Plus a daily drink of mixed essentials which helps stimulate your blood flow to the nerves At night I rub my feet with a nerve pain reliever which has frankincense and myrhh in it--the one with confrey worked the best but I think I was allergic to it, but it was called Nerve Salve. The one thing to keep in mind is that this takes time it will not happen overnight, but slowly you notice the difference, plus I used to get cramps with it and taking magnessium tablets helps or if a cramp happens rub magnessium salve on it.

I am a Brest cancer patient who had to stop my aromatase inhibitor. Letrozole, because my leg muscles began to give out.
Off for 3 months and then decide what is next.

Have burning pain in feet and legs during the night and develop Achilles tendonitis since going for Osteoporosis PT.

PT used an EMS on the legs once. All the above started more after that one procedure.
Do not know if she had it turned up too high and permanently damaged serves in legs.

Have appointment with phlebotomist + ultrasound next week and appointment with sports med Dr and X-ray day after.

Than you so much for your input maremouse! I thought I had developed diabetes, since I have been experiencing leatherlike feet pads and aching and stiff calves, but I don't have diabetes either. Statins (3 different ones) were responsible for most of it, but after I stopped all forms of statins, feet pads and calves got better, except it caused an Achilles heel injury 🙁 which they are apt to do. Doctors don't tell their patients about that!!! I do believe I have an incredible allergy to ALL forms of statins, including over the counter, which I have tried. Ater stopping all statins, the feet pad, ankle and calf discomforts mysteriously reappeared a few weeks later. Unfortunately, it is statins that have caused all of my symptoms, including the aching joint syndrome everyone here talks about. I am trying now to control my cholesterol with diet, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, all manner of nuts, green tea, etc. I am so glad you found treatment for your spinal decompression. That leathery feeling on the feet bottoms is really annoying!!! I too take Magnesium, which is such a nice supplement for so many things, including sleep, which I love. I would just like to find a doctor who can address the feet, ankle and calve scenario. It is SO weird and I don't see any responses that discuss a diagnosis or cure (if available) ! What the heck?!!!! Somebody, somewhere MUST know what this is about. I am trying compression socks. They seems to be helping some with ankle swelling from the statin caused Achilles heel injury. Are they a Cure? I don't think so, but relief in any case. I do not have heart problems; nor diabetes (as I mentioned above). Thanks again for your reply and very best of luck resolving your neuropathy. 🙂 d.

I don't have a medical issue that caused my feet pad stiffness, Achilles heal tendon injury, aching-stiff calves, and joint aches and pain/reduced energy - statins did all that. After stopping all statins, symptoms got better, but reappeared several weeks later. WHAT???? Now I am flummoxed. I do not have a heart problem, but I am trying compression socks. They make the swelling on my ankle due to the Achilles tendon swelling look and feel better on a temporary basis , and actually help soften the the feet pads too. I have no pain, just discomfort as described above. That is so curious! I wish there were a doctor observing these comments who could contribute suggestions for which kind of MD can address these issues. Really appreciate your post ajh5285.