McDermott et al used a flow diagram to classify patients with peripheral vascular disease presenting with leg pains. The patient is separated based on the clinical findings, precipitating factors and actions that bring relief.
Clinical Findings
Category
no leg pain on exertion, and able to walk > 6 blocks in past week
no exertional leg pain, active
no leg pain on exertion, and unable to walk > 6 blocks in past week
no exertional leg pain, inactive
leg pain on exertion, and leg pain may come on at rest
leg pain on exertion and rest
leg pain on exertion, leg pain does not occur at rest, pain resolves with continued walking (continues walking when exertional leg pain occurs)
atypical exertional leg pain, carry on
leg pain on exertion, leg pain does not occur at rest, pain does not resolve with continued walking (stops or slows down), does not have intermittent claudication symptoms
atypical exertional leg pain, stop
leg pain on exertion, leg pain does not occur at rest, pain does not resolve with continued walking (stops or slows down), does have intermittent claudication symptoms
intermittent claudication
Symptoms of intermittent claudication:
(1) pain is in the calf
(2) pain does not resolve with continued walking
(3) pain goes away within 10 minutes of rest
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