Leg Claudication

Main Symptoms

The main symptom of leg claudication is a heavy, achy feeling in the muscles used for walking, running, or jumping¹. Many people feel the effects of claudication in their calves, but claudication pain can also occur in the hips, feet, thighs, and buttocks. Some will also feel numbness or tingling due to lower extremity claudication. 

Earlier on in the progression of peripheral artery disease, you may only feel this pain or discomfort while you’re exercising. Instead of feeling like you can walk several blocks and still have energy left over, you may begin to feel the tell-tale ache after just a short distance. For some, claudication may even cause limping. Once you get back from your walk, you may feel the urge to sit down and rest your legs. 

With intermittent claudication, your legs will begin to stop aching once you’ve sat down and rested. Claudication caused by a more advanced case of peripheral artery disease may not dissipate so quickly. When your pain lingers even while you’re resting, it’s time to see a vascular doctor to get an evaluation for PAD, one of the top claudication causes. This is especially true if you experience claudication symptoms and other PAD symptoms, such as skin discoloration, slowed toenail growth, and changes in skin temperature.

What Causes Claudication in the Legs?

Leg claudication occurs when too little oxygen is transported to the muscles through the bloodstream. When the muscles are working, such as climbing stairs or going for a walk, they require more oxygen than when you are resting.

Oxygen is carried through the bloodstream and converts glucose into fuel for your muscles. More blood needs to be pumped when the muscles are active because they require more energy to function as expected.

Adequate blood flow cannot properly transport nutrients to the muscles through narrowed arteries. You may experience leg claudication as you exercise but feel fine when sitting or lying down. As plaque builds up in the arteries, claudication can progress into near-constant pain, which indicates that the muscles are not getting adequate oxygen, even at rest.

Common Complications

Left untreated, claudication symptoms caused by PAD can lead to non-healing wounds or open sores on the legs, feet, or ankles. When claudication progresses to the point that your legs hurt all the time, this can indicate that the most serious complication of PAD and claudication, critical limb ischemia, is imminent. Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is severe blockage of the arteries leading to the lower extremities. 

If you have CLI, you may experience constant pain from your toes up through your buttocks and hips. You must see a doctor right away to treat the underlying cause of the CLI². If left untreated, critical limb ischemia will lead to tissue death and necessitate amputation.

Does Peripheral Artery Disease Cause Claudication?

Peripheral artery disease can cause leg claudication and is the most common sign of the condition. PAD occurs when there is excessive plaque buildup in the lower extremity arteries, which leads to claudication and decreased mobility.

Signs of claudication from PAD include:

• Pain in the calves, feet, thighs, hips, or buttocks
• Numbness, tingling, and weakness in the lower extremities
• Soreness in muscles every time you are active
• Discomfort alleviated at rest

If left untreated, the pain may become more severe and disturb you even when you are resting. Talk to one of our vascular doctors about how minimally invasive treatment can reduce your pain and improve your mobility.