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Peripheral artery disease and intermittent claudication

Description

An in-depth report on the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of peripheral artery disease.

Alternative Names

Peripheral arterial disease; PAD; Peripheral vascular disease;

Symptoms

People with peripheral artery disease (PAD) may or may not have symptoms. Because of silent symptoms, many cases of PAD go undiagnosed.

Intermittent Claudication

Claudication comes from the Latin word "to limp." Claudication is crampy leg pain that occurs during exercise, especially walking. The pain is due to insufficient blood flow in the legs (caused by blocked arteries). Intermittent means the pain comes and goes. Intermittent claudication is the most prominent symptom of PAD. About a third to a half of patients with PAD have this symptom.

The most frequently affected artery in intermittent claudication is the popliteal artery. This artery leads off from the femoral artery (the major artery in the thigh). It continues below the knee where it branches off and carries blood to the muscles in the calf and foot. You should be sure to talk to your doctor about any leg or thigh pain you are experiencing.

PAD-related leg pain is relieved only by rest. Leg pain occurs in one leg in 40% of patients and in both legs in 60% of patients. Patients may also experience fatigue or pain in the thighs and buttocks.

There is also some evidence that people with PAD have blood cells that are prone to forming clots.

Advanced Peripheral Artery Disease (Ischemic Rest Pain)

In advanced cases, the arteries are so blocked that even rest does not help. Leg pain that continues when lying down is called ischemic rest pain. Ischemia is the medical term for insufficient blood flow to tissues.

People with ischemic rest pain are at risk for ulcers and gangrene. In severe cases, amputation may be required.

Symptoms of advanced PAD can include:

• Calf muscles that shrink (wither)
• Hair loss over the toes and feet
• Thick toenails
• Shiny, tight skin
• Painful non-bleeding ulcers on the feet or toes (usually black) that are slow to heal

In some cases, blood clots form in the arteries in the legs, producing abrupt symptoms.

• Review Date: 3/29/2007
• Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital

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