Reviewed by Brian R. Robinson, MDInadequate blood flow to a body part or organ is called ischemia (also commonly referred to as “poor circulation”). In the leg, ischemia can cause cramping pain on exertion that resolves at rest. This condition is called claudication; eventually, it can lead to pain while the legs are at rest. In severe cases, non-healing skin ulcers and gangrene may result if the problem progresses.
Ischemia can be the result of a variety of underlying causes, including low blood pressure, arteriosclerosis (blocking of the arteries due to plaque buildup along artery walls), smoking, diabetes, and chronic inactivity.Depending on the area of the body affected, the symptoms of ischemia can vary widely, ranging from cold hands and feet, loss of sensation, dizziness, difficulty focusing, and fainting in the case of body-wide ischemia, to disorders like Raynaud’s disease in the case of ischemia to the fingers and hands, to blood clots and ulceration in the case of ischemia in the lower extremities.
Claudication is another symptom of ischemia in the lower extremities. It generally occurs during exertion and regularly resolves in two to three minutes after exertion is stopped. In more severe incidences of ischemia, close examination of the leg may show hair loss, nutritional atrophy of the toenails or skin, and muscle atrophy. The more severely ischemic foot becomes pale when elevated and red when lowered. In addition, the leg may feel cold.
