[Misleading pains in the lower limbs of rheumatologic origin]

Pain in the lower limbs related to rheumatic disease may be the source of diagnostic difficulties when it presents in the guise of pseudo-vascular manifestations. A narrow spinal canal and atypical neuralgia may present a very misleading clinical picture. Similarly, traumatic muscular pathology and bone trauma and tumours may also be misleading. A popliteal cyst and reflex sympathetic dystrophy may simulate venous disorders. Iatrogenic disease, particularly complications of anticoagulant treatment also need to be recognized.