Bad lower leg pain when walking. how can you tell if it is a nerve or circulation problem?

Time to relief: Most vascular problems cramp with duration of walking and respond over 2-5 minutes to rest. "neurogenic claudication" or pinched nerves from back arthritis come on more slowly, take longer to respond (try sitting) and feel better if you lean on a shopping cart, etc. Nerve pain from disc usually worse with sitting, and better standing up. However, these are not hard rules. Get it looked at!