Exercise induced leg pain due to endofibrosis of external iliac artery.

Abstract

Due to monotonous movement patterns, muscular hypertrophy, and increased cardiac output peripheral vasculature of athletes are subject to extreme stresses during athletic performance. Individuals suffering from exercise induced non-traumatic lower leg pain may display underlying vascular pathology such as external iliac artery endofibrosis. Therefore, it is essential in the course of to discriminate vascular from non-vascular findings and prime the correct diagnostic path within the course of clinical examination. In this regard, interdisciplinary thinking and profound knowledge in exercise-associated pathologies of the musculoskeletal, nervous and vascular system is indispensable. Consequently, provocation testing displays an indispensable diagnostic tool and has to be continued until symptoms occur, or complete exhaustion is attained. Finally, selective assessment of conservative and surgical treatment options, as well as its ethical evaluation, are of major importance in order to protect, preserve and promote the health and physical integrity of our patients who are keen to perform.