Patient assessment - history
The history has been outlined in the previous section. Essentially there is a progression of symptoms from worsening claudication to night pain to rest pain to ulcers and gangrene.
The pain is usually localised to the forefoot. It is relieved somewhat by keeping the leg down and therefore some patients develop swollen ankles and feet.
It is important to remember that there are other possible reasons for the leg and foot pain and assessment by your GP or a specialist is needed.
In addition to the history of foot pains, your doctor will want to know about other manifestations of arterial disease such as angina, heart attack or stroke and also about your risk factors including smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and family history.