How is Lower Extremity Arterial Occlusive Disease Diagnosed?
The symptoms of lower extremity arterial occlusive disease include: Pain in the calves or thighs while walking (claudication) Pain in the feet at rest Coolness of legs and feet Poor healing of wounds in the extremity Ulcers of the feet and legs Black discoloration of the toes or skin (gangrene) Claudication is the most common symptom of lower extremity arterial occlusive disease. Some people may also experience numbness, weakness, or cold in the feet or legs. As the disease progresses, pain may also be felt at rest in the toes. The skin around the occluded artery may become discolored, and ulcers may develop, which can turn gangrenous if untreated. The development of ulcers indicates that the blood supply to the muscles and tissues in that area has been cut off. In order to determine the severity of the condition, the doctor will conduct a blood pressure test comparing the blood pressure measurement in the ankle to that in arm. The result of this test, called the ankle brachial index (
