Search results
Results From The WOW.Com Content Network
Intermittent claudication, also known as vascular claudication, is a symptom that describes muscle pain on mild exertion (ache, cramp, numbness or sense of fatigue), [1] classically in the calf muscle, which occurs during exercise, such as walking, and is relieved by a short period of rest.
Intermittent vascular (or arterial) claudication (Latin: claudicatio intermittens) most often refers to cramping pains in the buttock or leg muscles, especially the calves. It is caused by poor circulation of the blood to the affected area, called peripheral arterial disease .
Vascular claudication (secondary to atherosclerosis): The obstruction of arterial flow leads to muscular ischemia and causes pain in the buttock and calf. More common in the elderly with cardiovascular risk factors.
Exercise testing is a simplistic, non-invasive method of diagnosing intermittent claudication. Blood pressure measurements at the suspected area can be taken before and after exercise, as some symptoms only appear during strenuous activity. [ 3 ]
Diagnosis of neurogenic claudication is based on typical clinical features, the physical exam, and findings of spinal stenosis on computer tomography (CT) or X-ray imaging. [1] In addition to vascular claudication, diseases affecting the spine and musculoskeletal system should be considered in the differential diagnosis. [9]
Critical limb ischemia is diagnosed by the presence of ischemic rest pain, and an ulcers that will not heal or gangrene due to insufficient blood flow. [3] Insufficient blood flow may be confirmed by ankle-brachial index (ABI), ankle pressure, toe-brachial index (TBI), toe systolic pressure, transcutaneous oxygen measurement (TcpO2 ), or skin perfusion pressure (SPP).
Of patients with intermittent claudication, only "7% will undergo lower-extremity bypass surgery, 4% major amputations, and 16% worsening claudication", but stroke and heart attack events are elevated, and the "5-year mortality rate is estimated to be 30% (versus 10% in controls)". [84]
Severe pain caused by claudication can lead to a person having very restricted ability to move, and pain while resting is often a sign that the condition has worsened. Claudication is also considered a symptom of peripheral artery disease. [9] Popliteal bypass surgery may be performed on people with the following symptoms and conditions: [10]