Claudication is a common medical symptom that can significantly affect daily activities and quality of life. This condition involves discomfort in certain muscle groups, typically triggered by physical activity. Recognizing these signs is important for seeking appropriate medical attention and managing the condition effectively.
What Claudication Looks and Feels Like
Claudication presents as muscle pain, aching, cramping, or fatigue in the affected limbs. This discomfort occurs in the calves, but can also be felt in the thighs, buttocks, or hips. The sensation arises during physical exertion, such as walking or climbing stairs, and subsides within a few minutes of rest.
Visual signs may appear on the affected limb. The skin on the feet and legs may appear shiny, smooth, or discolored, often pale or bluish. Hair loss on the toes and feet, or slower growth of toenails, may also occur. Slow-healing sores or ulcers, often painful and non-bleeding, may develop on the feet or toes.
Peripheral Artery Disease and Claudication
Claudication is a symptom of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), a condition where arteries, usually in the legs, become narrowed or blocked. This narrowing is caused by atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque—a sticky substance—on the inner walls of the arteries. As plaque accumulates, it stiffens and reduces the diameter of the arteries, impeding blood flow.
When blood flow is restricted, muscles do not receive enough oxygen, especially during physical activity when their demand for blood increases. This insufficient oxygen supply leads to the pain and discomfort characteristic of claudication. While PAD is the most common cause, other causes include inflammation of blood vessels, limb injury, or certain changes in muscles or ligaments.
Recognizing Signs and Seeking Care
Seek medical attention if you experience pain in your legs or arms during exercise, especially if it resolves with rest. Persistent or worsening pain, non-healing sores, or noticeable changes in a limb’s appearance, such as discoloration or hair loss, warrant a visit to a healthcare provider. Early diagnosis can help prevent symptoms from worsening and reduce the risk of further complications.
A doctor will conduct a physical examination, which may include checking pulses in the limbs and comparing blood pressure in the ankles and arms. To confirm a diagnosis and assess the extent of arterial narrowing, healthcare professionals may use diagnostic imaging techniques. These include ultrasound, which uses sound waves to visualize blood flow, or angiography, which provides detailed images of blood vessels.