Obliterating endarteritis of lower extremities vessels

Diagnosis

Because the disease has a very striking and characteristic manifestations, diagnosis usually is not difficult. For the diagnosis of a simple inspection. For a more accurate consideration of the vessels and define the complexity of the disease is used:

• a Doppler (ultrasound);
• angiography (x-ray);
• the microphotography of capillaries, etc.

As the disease manifests itself

Usually people go to the doctor with such complaints as feeling of numbness and heaviness in the legs, especially when walking, the rapid emergence of fatigue, "gooseflesh" skin of lower extremities, coldness and sweating of the feet. Very cold and sore feet in cold weather.

Often marked by convulsions and a sudden, unbearable pain in the calf muscles, forcing the man to stop. To continue the movement becomes possible only after the holidays. This symptom is typical for obliterative endarteritis and is called "intermittent claudication".

External signs evident on examination include:

• pallor or cyanosis of the skin of the legs in place with disturbed blood circulation;
• the temperature of the limbs below the norm, they are constantly cold;
• the vessels stop pulse weakened, and later disappears;
• in severe cases, develop necrosis, nonhealing ulcers and ultimately gangrene.

The clinical stage of the disease

Stage 1 ischemia – decreasing blood circulation in the legs. Appears fatigue in the legs when walking, cramps in calves, feeling "pins and needles", coldness of the feet. Foot cold, pale, pulse is defined.
2 stage of trophic disorders – all symptoms of the stage 1 increase. Developing intermittent claudication. Pain even without movement. The skin becomes cyanotic and dry. Nails deformed, their growth has slowed. The pulse is difficult to define.
Stage 3 necrotic – man moves with difficulty, the pain does not stop, and in the supine position is enhanced even more. On the toes sores appear. Legs lose weight due to muscle atrophy. The pulse is thready.
Stage 4 gangrene – in untreated and in severe cases there is gangrene of the feet. It can be:

1. Wet the foot much swollen, the skin is pale, translucent veins. Fabrics apart, while the toxic substances, leaving the bloodstream. Is the poisoning of the body. It is therefore necessary to amputate the diseased limb.
2. Dry - tissue of the foot to deform, blacken, dried and compacted.