Arterial leg pain

Abstract

Arterial diseases of the lower extremities are part of the daily medical practice. Given the frequency and variety of symptoms of leg discomfort, appreciation for vascular disorders is demanded as some syndromes are associated with an increased morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, not few of these patients undergo long lasting investigations for orthopedic or neurological issues making awareness of arterial disorders a high priority. Apart from atherosclerotic peripheral artery disease (PAD), non-atherosclerotic arterial causes of lower limb discomfort include a heterogenous group of uncommon conditions. Important for the outcome is to identify an arterial disorder, to evaluate the degree of the perfusion deficit, to determine the risk of losing the limb and to commence adequate management of the disease.

Key words

Leg discomfort - peripheral artery disease - acute limb ischemia - non atherosclerotic arterial disorders of the lower extremity

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