What is the difference between intermittent claudication and arthritis?
Simply stated, intermittent claudication is a cramping or aching pain that develops in the legs or buttocks when walking or exercising that subsides when resting. Intermittent claudication is a result of fatty deposits that restrict blood flow forming in the arteries to the legs. Osteoarthritis, a common form of arthritis, involves the breakdown of the cartilage that surrounds the joints. The function of this cartilage is to provide cushioning for the joints. Thus when the cartilage breaks down, the joints lose their cushioning and bones rub against each other, causing pain and loss of movement. 2000 Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc., Rockville, MD.
