What is Claudication?

Intermittent claudication is defined as a reproducible discomfort of a defined group of muscles that is induced by exercise and relieved with rest. Pain usually occurs in the legs, hips, or buttocks. Claudication occurs because blood flow to the extremities is compromised, resulting in an imbalance between the supply of blood available and the amount needed by the muscles. The most common cause of claudication is cholesterol build-up of the leg arteries (hardening of the arteries) causing obstruction of blood flow. Claudication can vary from severe, debilitating discomfort to a bothersome pain of seemingly little consequence. In its severe form, the decrease in local blood flow can lead to pain that occurs even at rest, or in the most severe cases to gangrene.  Read more...