Climbing up and down the stairs is a normal everyday occurrence that many people partake in. Usually it is not a notable experience and we do it without a second thought. It is even beneficial to take the stairs over an elevator or escalator, as it is a good source of exercise for those who have sedentary lifestyles. If your legs, hip, and feet are cramped, cold, numb or weak as you climb the stairs, you have problem. A disease could be the underlying cause of this strange and uncomfortable sensation. Peripheral artery disease is a common circulatory problem that should be treated by a podiatrist immediately.

Peripheral artery disease is a common circulatory problem in which narrowed arteries decrease blood flow to your extremities. Generally, this is most common in the legs. The legs do not get enough blood flow to keep up with the demand they are experiencing due to a specific activity, such as climbing the stairs, and so they wreak havoc on the body and cause leg pain when walking, climbing or running.

Symptoms

• Cramping in your hip, thigh or calf muscles after certain activities, such as walking or climbing stairs (claudication)
• A change in the color of your legs
• Slower toenail growth
• Leg numbness
• Leg weakness
• Coldness in your lower leg or foot
• Sores on your toes, feet or legs
• Lack of a pulse or a weak pulse in your legs or feet

Claudication symptoms include muscle pain or cramping in your legs or arms that’s triggered by certain activities, which can include walking, running or climbing up the stairs. The leg pain usually goes away with rest and stretches. The location of the pain depends on the location of the clogged or narrowed artery. Calf pain is the most common location but is among many possibilities.

The severity of claudication varies widely, from mild discomfort to debilitating pain. Severe claudication can make it hard for you to walk or do other types of physical activity. It severely limits biomechanics and quality of life in many patients.

If you have leg pain, numbness or other symptoms, don’t dismiss them as a normal part of aging. These signs and symptoms can be due to a severe vascular or circulatory disorder that could impact your overall quality of life. Call Syracuse Podiatry located in Fayetteville, New York at 315-446-3668 to make an appointment today. Board certified podiatrist  Dr. Ryan L. D’Amico and his highly trained team can help get to the bottom of your foot problems. We take the health of your feet seriously.