Understanding Leg Pain 

Leg pain is one of the most common symptoms of vascular conditions primarily affecting the lower legs. (Leg pain when related to a circulation or blood flow issue is called Claudication)

Leg pain is often the first sign of a more serious underlying vascular issue, like peripheral artery disease (PAD).

At CardioVascular Health Clinic, we understand that leg pain can affect your overall mobility and health, especially if caused by PAD or another vascular condition.

The good news is that our team of vascular and cardiovascular experts can significantly reduce your leg pain by getting to the bottom of it with a comprehensive diagnosis and effective and personalized treatment plan.  

If you’re hoping to mitigate symptoms of vascular leg pain, we are here to help. 

You don’t have to live with leg pain forever; relief options are available. 

Let’s discuss vascular leg pain in more detail, including diagnosis, its tie to PAD, and leg pain treatment options. 

What Is Claudication?

From calf cramping and muscle aches, leg pain can range from mild to severe and affect any portion of your legs including calves, thighs, hips, and buttocks.  

Claudication can affect one or both legs, radiate through an entire leg, or be localized to a specific upper or lower leg area.

Claudication is often described as these pains or sensations in the legs

• stabbing
• dull
• sharp
• heaviness
• cramping
• restlessness
• aching

The Tie Between Vascular Leg Pain (claudication) and Peripheral Artery Disease

Leg pain is one of the first symptoms of PAD and can be felt in the hips, thighs, or calves, especially after walking or exercising. 

Vascular leg pain related to PAD is caused by blocked blood flow due to plaque buildup in the legs.

When this occurs, leg muscles do not get enough blood during movement, leading to leg pain. The associated pain is medically referred to as intermittent claudication, which is the muscles’ way of alerting your body that it isn’t receiving an adequate amount of blood. 

As PAD worsens, poor blood flow to your legs may cause leg pain when at rest. Vascular leg pain can last a few minutes or several hours.

In the most severe PAD cases, leg pain occurring at rest could signify a severe form of the condition known as critical limb ischemia (CLI). If left untreated, it could put your affected leg at risk for amputation.

Don’t delay care. If you experience chronic leg pain, you should visit a vascular specialist for a more detailed review and diagnosis. 

Innovative Leg Pain and PAD Treatment in Oklahoma

Leg pain treatment is based on the underlying condition causing your pain. 

If you experience constant or intermittent leg pain that worsens with exercise or wakes you up at night, getting to the bottom of the pain is crucial to your overall health.

Early intervention of PAD prevents the escalation of leg pain and the progression of associated symptoms, risks, and complications. 

CardioVascular Health Clinic provides the most advanced vascular and cardiovascular treatment options in Oklahoma.

Our vascular and cardiovascular specialists are experienced in caring for a wide range of vein-related symptoms, including vascular leg pain and more complex vascular diseases such as PAD. To learn more or to schedule a consultation for your leg pain, contact us today.