Residual limb claudication in a traumatic transtibial amputee

Residual limb pain is a common symptom in the lower extremity amputee population with a fairly broad differential diagnosis. One etiology of residual limb pain that has previously received limited discussion in the literature is that of vascular claudication. Increased awareness of this etiology is important given the prevalence of vascular disease in both the general population and in lower extremity amputees. This article discusses a presentation of residual limb vascular claudication, describes a clinical approach to the problem, and discusses a potential pathophysiologic mechanism for vascular claudication in the amputee that differs from the nonamputee.