Claudication
Claudication is pain or discomfort felt in the legs during walking. The word claudication is derived from the Latin word claudicatio, which means "to limp."
Claudication is a symptom of peripheral artery disease (PAD). Claudication occurs when the arteries in your legs do not receive enough blood and oxygen due to narrowed or blocked arteries. In most cases, this blockage is caused by atherosclerosis. Because atherosclerosis may occur throughout the body and not just in the legs, it is critical to diagnose claudication as it may predict an increased risk for other health problems such as heart attack and stroke.
Symptoms of Claudication
Typical symptoms of claudication include:
- Discomfort or pain in one or both legs that happens when you walk and goes away when you rest
- Tightness, heaviness, cramping or weakness in one or both of your legs when you walk