ABSTRACT
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is chronic arterial occlusive disease of the lower
extremities caused by atherosclerosis. PAD may cause intermittent claudication, which is
pain or weakness with walking that is relieved with rest. The muscle pain or weakness
after exercise occurs distal to the arterial obstruction. Since the superficial femoral and
popliteal arteries are most commonly affected by atherosclerosis, the pain of intermittent
claudication is most commonly localized to the calf. Atherosclerotic obstruction of the
distal aorta and its bifurcation into the two iliac arteries may cause pain in the buttocks,
hips, thighs, or the inferior back muscles as well as the calves.
