PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

What is the term for pain or cramping in the lower extremity after walking a specific distance?

1. Neurogenic pain

2. Claudication

3. Peripheral neuropathy

4. Varicose veins

The correct answer is: Claudication

The term for pain or cramping in the lower extremity after walking a specific distance is known as claudication. This symptom typically occurs due to inadequate blood flow to the muscles in the legs, often as a result of peripheral artery disease (PAD). During physical activity like walking, the oxygen demand of the muscles increases, but if there is a narrowing or blockage in the arteries supplying blood to the legs, this can lead to pain or cramping. The distance a person can walk before experiencing claudication can vary based on the severity of the underlying vascular condition. In contrast, neurogenic pain refers to pain arising from nerve damage or irritation, which can often be related to conditions such as spinal stenosis but is not specifically defined by a distance walked. Peripheral neuropathy involves damage to the peripheral nerves, leading to symptoms such as tingling, numbness, and weakness, but again is not tied to specific walking distances. Varicose veins are swollen, twisted veins that can cause discomfort but do not usually result in muscle cramping associated with ambulation. Therefore, claudication is the most appropriate and commonly used term to describe this type of pain related to walking.