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Question: Pain in legs with walking

Answers

Option - Value - Grade - LOINC"; 01
yes - 1 - F - 10
no - 0 - P -

Background/Purpose

Claudication is a common condition where pain occurs in the legs with exercise due to a reduction in the circulation. The cause is hardening of the arteries otherwise known as atherosclerosis. The common symptom is of a cramp like pain developing in the calf muscles on walking. The thigh and buttock muscles may also be involved. After a brief rest the pain resolves and it is possible to walk on again. The distance walked along the flat (not up hills) before the pain starts is used as a rough guide to the severity of the condition. During walking the leg muscles use more oxygen which is supplied by the circulating blood. If the supply is reduced the oxygen is used up and the muscles become painful. After a rest the oxygen levels return to normal and it is possible to walk again.

With the above symptoms and an examination of the pulses in the leg (weak or absent) it is often possible to diagnose claudication without any tests. The blood pressure in the legs can be measured with doppler, at rest and after walking on a treadmill, to confirm the diagnosis.

Description

Pain in legs with walking
Performed: Bilaterally

LOINC Code

0

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