Definition: Claudication is the name given to severe, cramp-like pain of the legs (and occasionally of the arms) that occurs during exercise, caused by insufficient blood flow to the muscles.
Claudication is the most common symptom of peripheral artery disease of the legs and arms. The partial blockage of arteries produced by peripheral artery disease limits the amount of blood flow that can be delivered to the muscles. When a patient with peripheral artery disease exercises, the insufficient blood flow can produce ischema of the muscles, which is perceived as claudication.
