Many cases of leg pain cannot be prevented, but prevention is related to the cause. For example, atherosclerosis can often be avoided by not smoking, eating a good diet, and exercising regularly. Controlling blood sugar levels with diet, exercise, and medications can sometimes prevent diabetic neuropathy.
Long-term effects are related to the cause of the pain. Pain can be severe and make a person unable to perform normal activities. Chronic pain can also cause stress, sleep disorders, and depression.
Infections can often be treated with antibiotics and may have no long-term effects. A deep venous thrombosis in the leg can break off and travel through the bloodstream to the lungs, a condition called pulmonary embolus.
Leg pain is not contagious and poses no risk to others.