[Discomfort in the leg--differential edema/pain diagnosis of the lower extremities].

Pain and/or edema are a frequent complaint of ambulatory patients. Differential diagnosis may be difficult and must consider a wide spectrum of vascular and non-vascular disorders. A systematic overview of the most frequent underlying disorders with two tables is presented. Such tables may be helpful but it must be kept in mind that the symptoms may be varying and/or overlapping. The additional explanations point out some of the most frequent pitfalls.