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What Causes Calf Cramps After Removal Of Block From Arteries In Neck?

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Posted on Tue, 3 Jun 2014
Question: Three years ago I had a stroke. It affected my ability to swallow. tHEY CLEAN OUT THE ARTERY OF BLOCKAGE IN MY NECK.Since that time I have calf cramps when walking. Sometimes there not so bad for about a mile. Now they hurt in 1/2 a mile. hey quit when I quit walking. I'm 80 & stay in pretty good shape, but this is a problem.. When I go to the gym and get on one of the step machines. I can go for 30 Minutes with no cramps, but if I get on the walking unit at 3MPH I'll get a cramp with in 5 to 10 minutes. Is this a system of PAD? XXXX
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Answered by Dr. Karl Logan (18 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Intermittant claudication PAD

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

Thanks for your question.

The symptoms that you describe are consistent with intermittant claudication that has two main causes. the 1st as you have correctly diagnosed is peripheral vascular disease where you get narrowing of the arteries in you legs and the muscles cannot get the blood that they need during more vigorous activity. the second problem that can cause these symptoms is spinal stenosis, or narrowing in your lower back that puts pressure on the nerves to your legs.

The diagnosis can be made by examining you pulses and the nerves in your legs. checking the blood pressure in your legs and comparing it to the blood pressure in your arm( the ankle brachial index). ultrasound assessment of the arteries in your legs and arteriography, injecting XXXXXXX into the arteries in your legs and getting X-rays or a ct scan. an MRI scan of the spine would show spinal stenosis.

The treatment when you require it could be done micro invasively by deploying stents into the narrowed regions of the arteries or with open surgery by bypassing the narrowed sections with your own vein or a gortex graft.

If you have spinal stenosis there are a number of surgical options.

I hope this answers your question.

best wishes
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Answered by
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Dr. Karl Logan

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 705 Questions

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What Causes Calf Cramps After Removal Of Block From Arteries In Neck?

Brief Answer: Intermittant claudication PAD Detailed Answer: Hi XXXXXXX Thanks for your question. The symptoms that you describe are consistent with intermittant claudication that has two main causes. the 1st as you have correctly diagnosed is peripheral vascular disease where you get narrowing of the arteries in you legs and the muscles cannot get the blood that they need during more vigorous activity. the second problem that can cause these symptoms is spinal stenosis, or narrowing in your lower back that puts pressure on the nerves to your legs. The diagnosis can be made by examining you pulses and the nerves in your legs. checking the blood pressure in your legs and comparing it to the blood pressure in your arm( the ankle brachial index). ultrasound assessment of the arteries in your legs and arteriography, injecting XXXXXXX into the arteries in your legs and getting X-rays or a ct scan. an MRI scan of the spine would show spinal stenosis. The treatment when you require it could be done micro invasively by deploying stents into the narrowed regions of the arteries or with open surgery by bypassing the narrowed sections with your own vein or a gortex graft. If you have spinal stenosis there are a number of surgical options. I hope this answers your question. best wishes