Diagnosis
4
Table 2. The Differential Diagnosis for Intermittent
Claudication (IC)
Condition Location Prevalence Characteristic
Calf IC Calf muscles 3% of adult Cramping, aching
discomfort
igh and Buttock IC Buttocks, hip, thigh Rare Cramping, aching,
discomfort
Foot IC Foot arch Rare Severe pain on
exercise
Chronic
compartment
syndrome
Calf muscles Rare Tight, bursting
pain
Venous claudication Entire leg, worse in
calf
Rare Tight, bursting
pain
Nerve root
compression
Radiates down leg Common Sharp lancinating
pain
Symptomatic
Baker cyst
Behind knee, down
calf
Rare Swelling,
tenderness
Hip arthritis Lateral hip, thigh Common Aching discomfort
Spinal stenosis Oen bilateral
buttocks, posterior leg
Common Pain and weakness
Foot/ankle arthritis Ankle, foot, arch Common Aching pain
Adapted from Inter-Society Consensus for the Management of Peripheral Arterial Disease (TASC II)