CLAUDICATION – DESCRIPTION
If the narrowing occurs slowly, it may stimulate the smaller and little-used blood vessels to dilate and carry a larger supply of blood than the narrowed main channel. These are known as collateral blood vessels.
Impairment of blood supply is known as ischaemia. The ischaemic lower limb may develop coldness, numbness or pins and needles. Intermittent claudication is the major sign.
If the circulation to the skin is affected, it is more serious and may show itself with ulcers on the feet and legs or with rest pain that typically, comes on in bed when the legs are warm. It is a severe, burning type and may be relieved by hanging the foot down out of the side of the bed.
Total blockage of the blood supply to the leg or a portion of it may result in gangrene where there is death of tissue.
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