ABSTRACT
Introduction It is critical to distinguish between arterial and non-arterial etiology in evaluating patients with suspected claudication. Peripheral arterial disease is the most common cause; however, the differential diagnosis is broad and includes vasculitis, deep venous thrombosis, musculoskeletal injury, neuropathy, and spinal stenosis. The first step in assessment of the lower extremity is obtaining a complete patient history and a physical exam that includes evaluation of cardiovascular risk factors. Based on clinical suspicion of claudication, a number of non-invasive physiologic monitoring and imaging techniques are available for diagnostic purposes (summarized in Table 67.1).
