Homepage | Imprint
Lumrix Logo
 
 
Lumrix Wiki Logo
[ICD 10 Search]



Back
[ICD 10 Search]

 

 

Intermittent claudication

{{{Name|Intermittent claudication}}}
[[Image:{{{Image}}}|190px|center|]]
{{{Caption|}}}
ICD-10 I73.9
ICD-O: {{{ICDO}}}
ICD-9 440.21
OMIM }}}
MedlinePlus }}}
eMedicine }}}
DiseasesDB }}}

Intermittent claudication is a crampingsensation in the legs that is present during exercise or walking and occurs as a result of decreased oxygen supply. This cramping usually occurs in the calf, but may also occur in the feet. When intermittent claudication is discussed it is measured by the number of "blocks" (e.g. 1 or 2 blocks) one can walk comfortably. It often indicates severe atherosclerosis. One of the hallmarks of this clinical entity is that it occurs intermittently. It disappears after a brief rest and the patient can start walking again until the pain recurs.

Intermittent claudication in and of itself is often a symptom of severe atherosclerotic disease of the peripheral vascular system. The term claudication derives from the Latin verb "claudicare" which means to limp. The Roman emperor, Claudius(ruling from A.D. 41-54) was named such because of his limp.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

  • 1 Signs
  • 2 Treatment
  • 3 Epidemiology
  • 4 See also

Signs

The following signs are general signs of atherosclerosis of the lower extremity arteries:

  • cyanosis
  • atrophic changes like loss of hair, shiny skin
  • decreased temperature
  • decreased pulse
  • blanching of limb on elevation
  • redness when limb is returned to a "dependent" position

Treatment

In patients who smoke, smoking cessationis the most effective treatment. Exercisecan improve symptoms as do medication to control the lipid profile, diabetesand hypertension. Surgeryis only indicated in severe cases with limb-threatening ischemiaor lifestyle-limiting claudication. The vascular surgeonwill perform an endarterectomyof leg arteries or an arterial bypass.

Epidemiology

Atherosclerosis affects up to 10% of the Western population older than 65 years and for intermittent claudication this number is around 5%. Intermittent claudication most commonly manifests in men older than 50 years.

See also

  • atherosclerosis
  • Peripheral artery occlusive diseasede:Arterielle Verschlusskrankheit

nl:Etalagebenen sv:Fönstertittarsjukan




This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
It uses material from the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intermittent+claudication Wikipedia article Intermittent claudication.

 
  All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License