The left outside part of my shin/calf has been bothering me lately. don't recall anything that injured it. hurts most when crossing my leg. what could this be?

Dysesthesia: This discomfort unaccompanied by redness or history of injury,May be due to an irritability/inflammation of the superficial nerves in that part of the leg or nerve entrapment of a nerve or nerve root causing referred pain at the side of that lower leg. Phlebitis of a calf vein appears less likely. If symptoms persist,see your physician for evaluation and advice. ? referral to a neurologist,also.

Possibly sciatica: There are a number of potential causes and I would not hesitate to be seen. One of the more common causes is a sciatica, which is an irritation of a nerve in the back that can cause pain that runs down the thigh and leg.