Why does my femoral artery hurt

Although initial symptoms may be mild, nearly everyone who has PAD finds they are unable to walk as far or as fast as they previously could due to tired, achy legs. The leg pain associated with PAD is known as claudication. It improves with rest, and then recurs when walking resumes. Tell your doctor if you have fatigue or cramping in the calf, thigh or hip when walking. One measure is taken in a person's arm with a blood pressure cuff.

Then a second measure is taken in the ankle using a blood pressure cuff and ultrasound waves to hear the pulse in the feet. Many patients may benefit from a dedicated walking program. BIDMC offers a week program , often covered by Medicare and most private insurers, which consists of interval walking on a treadmill under the supervision of a specially trained exercise or physical therapist.

Then, gradually increase the time or distance at subsequent weeks. Also in rare cases, a blood clot in an artery can suddenly and completely block blood flow to a leg or foot. Often, severe pain, numbness, and coldness develop within 1 hour.

This blockage is an emergency. Clot-dissolving medicines, surgical removal of the clot, or bypass surgery is needed to restore blood flow. Angioplasty is used for severe disease that causes pain and limping during exercise, pain when at rest, or open sores.

Angioplasty can increase blood flow in a narrowed artery. During this procedure, a small, thin tube called a catheter is inserted through a blood vessel in the groin and guided to the affected artery. When the catheter reaches the narrowed part of the artery, the surgeon inflates a balloon. The balloon presses the plaque against the wall of the artery.

This improves blood flow. A small, expandable tube called a stent may be placed in a blood vessel to help hold it open.

Szalay MD - Vascular Surgery. Author: Healthwise Staff. Medical Review: Rakesh K. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

Top of the page. Overview What is peripheral arterial disease of the legs? What causes PAD? What are the symptoms? How is PAD diagnosed? How is it treated? Lifestyle changes If you smoke, quit. It's one of the most important things you can do. If you need help, talk to your doctor about programs and medicines that can help you stop. Eat healthy foods. Get regular exercise if your doctor says it's safe.

If you have symptoms when you exercise, your doctor might recommend a specialized exercise program that might relieve your symptoms. Manage your cholesterol and blood pressure if they are high. You may need medicines to help you do this. If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar in a target range.

Lose weight if you need to, and maintain a healthy weight. Medicines and surgery You may take medicine to lower your risk of heart attack and stroke. Health Tools Health Tools help you make wise health decisions or take action to improve your health.

Decision Points focus on key medical care decisions that are important to many health problems. Cause The most common cause of peripheral arterial disease is the buildup of plaque on the inside of arteries.

Symptoms Many people who have peripheral arterial disease PAD don't have symptoms. Difficulty walking or balancing. They include: Cold or numb feet or toes.

Sores that are slow to heal. Foot pain while you are at rest. Feet and toes that become pale from exercise or when elevated. Feet that turn red when dangled. Blue or purple marks on your legs, feet, or toes. These include: Smoking. High cholesterol. High blood pressure. People with diabetes often have arterial disease that is both more severe and more widespread than in people who don't have diabetes.

A family history of atherosclerosis or coronary artery disease. The risk for PAD also increases with age. When to Call a Doctor Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if: You have leg pain that does not go away even if you rest.

Your leg pain changes or gets worse. For example, if you have more pain with normal activity or the same pain with decreased activity, you should call. You have cold or numb feet or toes. But as the disease gets worse, the pain can occur when you walk shorter distances. Over time, you may no longer be able to walk because the pain is so severe. Claudication is linked to health conditions that also increase your risk for heart attack or stroke.

So you should be checked and possibly treated for artery disease in other parts of the body. Peripheral artery disease PAD is very common, mainly in people over age This can reduce blood flow to muscles in your calf, thigh, or buttocks. This decreased blood flow may cause the pain that leads to claudication.

The blockage usually happens because of narrowed and hardened arteries atherosclerosis. This is caused by plaque build-up inside the arteries. Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances in the blood. This plaque build-up can also affect your heart arteries. It can lead to chest pain or a heart attack. Blockages in the leg are most common in the thigh and behind the knee. But they can also occur in other parts of the body such as the aorta, groin, or belly.

You can have more than 1 blockage. Risk factors for claudication are the same as those for hardened arteries atherosclerosis. They include:. Claudication symptoms may look like other health conditions. Always see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis. Diagnosis focuses on finding narrowed arteries in your legs. Your healthcare provider will take your medical history and give you an exam.

You may also have tests such as:. Even if you have symptoms, you may be better off not having a procedure. Studies show that walking every day can relieve symptoms just as well as angioplasty, in some cases. Bypass surgery on your legs has all the dangers of surgery. It takes two to three weeks for the wound to heal. Risks include infection, bleeding from the wound, and complications from anesthesia, such as trouble breathing or pneumonia.

Angioplasty is not as hard on your body as surgery, and the recovery is faster. But stents may not provide a lasting treatment and the original symptoms can come back within a year. Both procedures can, in rare cases, cause a partly blocked artery to close up completely. Then you may need an emergency procedure. See your health care provider right away to be evaluated for a procedure if you have any of these signs:. Taking these steps can help keep PAD from getting worse.