Claudication: causes, symptoms, treatment

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Definition

What is claudication?

Claudication or claudication is pain that occurs during exercise. Claudication is usually a symptom caused by narrowing of the arteries in the hands and feet narrowing, causing a lack of blood around them, for example due to peripheral artery disease. Generally claudication pain is felt in the feet, but can also be felt in the hands.

The calf muscles are most commonly affected, but the legs, thighs and buttocks can also be affected. Pain usually occurs during or after exercising and only goes away when resting.

How common is claudication?

Claudication is a disease that generally occurs in people over 70 years of age. Occasionally occurs in the mid-50s with obesity, diabetes, or smoking.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of claudication?

Symptoms of claudication are pain in the muscles of the calves, legs, thighs, hips and buttocks that occur during activity. This pain can come and go depending on the level of activity. When the narrowing of the arteries gets worse, pain can occur when you are resting.

There may be some signs and symptoms not listed above. If you are concerned about the symptoms, please consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

If you have any of the signs or symptoms listed above or have any questions, please consult your doctor. Everyone's body reacts differently. It is always better to discuss with your doctor what is best for your situation.

Cause

What causes claudication?

The main cause of claudication is disease around the arteries. People with peripheral artery disease have narrowed arteries in the leg muscles or other muscles, causing pain. This disease causes reduced blood flow to the legs. This is usually due to the atherosclerosis process.

High levels of lipids (fats) in the blood cause fat to accumulate in the arteries, making it more difficult for blood to transport to meet tissue oxygen demands.

Some of the other diseases that can cause claudication are spinal stenosis, peripheral neuropathy, musculoskeletal disease and venous thrombosis.

Risk factors

What increases my risk for claudication?

Some things that can increase the risk of claudication are:

• Smoke
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Obesity
• Are over 70 years of age
• Are over 50 years of age with diabetes and smoking
• Family history

Drugs & Medicines

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

What are my treatment options for claudication?

The goal of claudication treatment is to relieve symptoms and prevent the condition from worsening. Many people are better off after making lifestyle changes, including avoiding tobacco (the best treatment), losing weight, and changing diets to control diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol. In cases of claudication, the doctor can prescribe medication to help the blood circulate better. A low aspirin dose is required. Foot care is important to prevent infection.

If the blood flow is reduced a lot, a minor procedure called an angioplasty may be recommended to open the blocked artery. A catheter is inserted into the narrowed vessel and is increased to widen it. Another procedure called an artery bypass can also be performed, which involves threading the new blood vessels around the blocked blood vessels so that blood can pass through the new blood vessels. A person needs surgery if they have a sore / ulcer that won't heal, have cold and blue feet, have gangrene, or have severe pain at rest.

What are the usual tests for claudication

The doctor makes a diagnosis by checking for symptoms and performing a physical examination. The doctor can order blood vessel tests (including ultrasound) to find out the circulation of the blood. If the tests show reduced circulation, angiography will be performed before the operation to check the severity of the disease. Angiography inserts a catheter (small tube) into an artery in the leg and injects dye to get an image of the blood vessels.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be used to treat claudication?

Some possible lifestyle changes and home remedies to treat claudication include:

• Avoid injury to the feet
• Control risk factors for atherosclerosis (diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, high fat diet)
• Quit smoking
• Simple exercise, control obesity, do daily foot care, keep your blood pressure, and eat a low-fat diet
• Avoid cold medicines that contain pseudoephedrine
• Follow the doctor's instructions, especially to check for ulcer healing

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.