Claudication is pain that you feel when blood flow is not enough to your muscles. The term claudication was derived from the Latin word “claudicare,” which means “to limp.”
This pain happens in your calf, buttocks, or thigh after walking. Since the pain comes and goes with rest, this condition is also called intermittent claudication.
Men are more likely to acquire intermittent claudication than women. Based on the American Academy of Family Physicians, 1 to 2% under 60 years old and 18% among 70 years old and above have intermittent claudication.
However, claudication can be a symptom of peripheral artery disease (PAD). It happens when the arteries are blocked, resulting in a decrease of blood flow to the legs.
During the early stage of PAD, claudication pain occurs when you walk for a distance, then the pain vanishes when you relax. As the disease develops, the pain can happen even if you walk in shorter distances. As time goes by, you may be incapable of walking since the claudication pain is extreme.
Claudication can also lead to a heart attack or stroke, so consult your doctor immediately.
