Question 1

what is the treatment for leg claudication?

Accepted Answer

Stop walking: The initial treatment for leg claudication is to stop walking on the painful leg. Increased fluid intake, an asprin, NSAID or other blood thinning medication may be appropriate. Al leg ultrasound may be prudent  and sometime atherosclerotic or thombisis medication may be necessary. This pain should be evaluated by your healthcare provider.

Question 2

could smoking make my leg claudication worse?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Smoking does cause changes in the artery that can worsen claudication.

Question 3

how does alcohol affect leg claudication?

Accepted Answer

Decreases risk: Several studies have shown a protective effect of moderate alcohol consumption towards claudication. Men who drank 1-2 drinks/day and women who drank 0.5-1 drinks/day had a lower risk of claudication.

Question 4

if my parents had leg claudication, does this mean i will too?

Accepted Answer

Net necessarily: The three greatest risk factors for claudication are 1) smoking, 2) age, and 3) diabetes. Family history by itself is not the greatest risk factor. You can minimize your chances by making sure you don't smoke, and stay on top of  your diabetes if you have it.

Question 5

can you tell me how sciatic leg pain is different from leg claudication?

Accepted Answer

Nerve vs. Blood Flow: Sciatic pain is due to compression and inflammation of the nerve roots which give rise to the sciatic nerve. It comes on at rest while sitting and the pain usually starts in the buttocks and radiates down the leg. Claudication pain is due to blockages in the arteries and results in leg muscle cramping with exercise. This resolves with rest. An arterial ultrasound can help differentiate.

Question 6

if you have leg claudication, will you eventually have something similar in your arms?

Accepted Answer

Not likely: Blockages of arteries to the arms are possible but much less likely to occur than blockages in the legs. In addition, the blockages in the arms are a lot less likely to cause symptoms.

Question 7

can leg claudication ever get worse on its own?

Accepted Answer

Certainly: Claudication describes the symptoms of muscle cramping and/or foot numbness/pain with exercise. People with mild to moderate vascular disease experience claudication. It is very possible for the vascular disease to progress to severe disease, in which case people develop rest pain or tissue loss. Smoking cessation, Aspirin and a cholesterol lowering medication (statin) will help.

Question 8

can leg claudication ever get better on its own?

Accepted Answer

With exercise: Claudication symptoms can be improved with exercise. With a regular program exercise endurance can improve. It is unlikely for symptoms ro go away on their own.

Question 9

are there any drugs that may cause leg claudication?

Accepted Answer

Sort of: The most common cause of leg cramping from medication is likely the family of statin drugs used to lower cholesterol. Monitoring of liver and muscle enzymes is common with statins. With normal lab results changing doses or brands can improve the muscle cramping.

Question 10

what is the definition or description of: leg claudication?

Accepted Answer

Window Shoppers Dx.: Claudication is described as a symptom of various disorders that cause enough pain in the leg to cause one to walk with a limp. The most common disorder is probably occlusive vascular disease, or poor circulation. Both neurogenic claudication and venous claudication are also possible, however. The symptom can either be constant or intermittent, depending on the severity of the disorder.

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Doctor answers about:

Over the counter treatment for leg claudication

A member asked:

What is the treatment for leg claudication?

A member asked:

Could smoking make my leg claudication worse?

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How does alcohol affect leg claudication?

A member asked:

If my parents had leg claudication, does this mean i will too?

A member asked:

Can you tell me how sciatic leg pain is different from leg claudication?

A member asked:

If you have leg claudication, will you eventually have something similar in your arms?

A member asked:

Can leg claudication ever get worse on its own?

A member asked:

Can leg claudication ever get better on its own?

A member asked:

Are there any drugs that may cause leg claudication?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: leg claudication?

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