Intermittent claudication in the foot and Buerger's disease

The objective of this investigation was to study the pathogenesis of intermittent claudication in the foot and to determine whether it could be used as a diagnostic manifestation of Buerger's disease. In 30 limbs with foot claudication and 20 limbs without foot claudication, systolic pressures at various levels of the leg were measured by a photoelectric technique, and the significance of collateral circulation in the foot on the development of claudication was studied. Although there was a significant difference between blood pressures at the foot and toe, considerable overlapping was seen between the two groups. This finding might indicate that muscle circulatory insufficiency in limbs with foot claudication results from occlusion of the nutrient arteries supplying the plantar muscles as well as poor collateral circulation in the foot. Hospital records of 48 patients with foot claudication were reviewed and the question of whether these patients could be diagnosed as having Buerger's disease was discussed. On the basis of clinical findings and arteriographic appearances, the diagnosis of Buerger's disease was made in all patients except one with hypercholesteraemia. From the results obtained here, foot claudication could be considered to be almost specific to Buerger's disease and a useful guide in the clinical diagnosis of this disease.