Claudication
A cramping thigh or calf pain after walking a certain distance also known as claudication could indicate a narrowing in the blood supply to your legs.
If left untreated this can lead to a progressive shortening of your walking distance before the onset of pain and the development of critical limb ischaemia in severe cases.
Critical Limb Ischaemia
This is defined as pain at rest in your legs or the development of an ulcer.
This indicates severe disease of the blood supply to your legs and requires urgent investigation and treatment
Investigations
A history and examination is undertaken by your vascular surgeon. Assessments available in outpatients include a doppler probe or ultrasound to assess the blood supply to your legs
Treatment
- Exercise
- Antiplatelet agents
- Cholesterol lowering agents
- Angioplasty
- Stent
- Lower limb bypass