Abstract

SUMMARYThis is a prospective study of patients referred to our department with symptoms of claudication unlikely to be of vascular origin. After clinical assessment these patients were referred to an orthopaedic physician. Of 1070 patients referred, 33 patients were diagnosed with a non‐vascular problem. Of these, 21 were cases of spinal stenosis with or without nerve root irritation, seven had a combination of spinal pathology and peripheral vascular disease, and five were diagnosed with intervertebral disc prolapse (n=3), diabetic neuropathy (n=1) and chronic fatigue syndrome (n=1). The prognosis for patients with non‐vascular claudication in respect of the development of premature vascular events is likely to be different from vascular claudicants and they should be counselled appropriately Furthermore, the potentially less favourable outcome following reconstruction must be clearly explained to patients with a non‐vascular contribution to their symptoms before any therapeutic vascular intervention. Failure to do this is likely to have significant medicolegal implications.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.