Peripheral vascular disease: treatment and referral of the elderly. Part I

In the elderly, arterial disease may not necessarily require operative intervention if the patient is not functionally disabled or can adjust to self-imposed limitations. However, with nonhealing skin lesions, gangrene, impending limb loss, or ischemic rest pain, reconstructive arterial surgery must be considered. Pain at rest signals advanced limb-threatening ischemia. The pattern of pain distribution over the foot distinguishes it from common nighttime leg cramps.