Lower limb arteriosclerosis has a higher incidence rate in middle-aged and elderly people. After the onset of the disease, the blood circulation in the vessels becomes unsmooth, causing ischemia in the lower limbs, which leads to a feeling of soreness, numbness, and pain. Experts from the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan Medical University point out that 90% of cases of arteriosclerosis obliterans occur in the lower limbs, with soreness, numbness, and pain being the main early symptoms. Middle-aged and elderly people who experience leg pain should be wary of vascular diseases.
Because its symptoms are extremely similar to those of leg diseases, many people easily mistake it for "cold-induced leg pain." If vascular problems are misdiagnosed as "cold-induced leg pain" and only warmth is sought by tightly wrapping the legs in multiple layers, or if one self-treats it as "cold-induced leg pain," not only will it not help alleviate the leg pain, but it can also easily exacerbate insufficient blood supply to the legs. In severe cases, amputation may become necessary. Experts from the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan Medical University remind everyone that using warm water bags or soaking feet in hot water can also worsen the condition. When body tissue temperature rises, metabolism accelerates, oxygen consumption increases, and vascular problems become more severe. Some patients may also suffer burns due to reduced skin sensation and insensitivity to heat.
In general, "cold-induced leg pain" is mostly caused by bone and joint diseases. These conditions cause pain even at rest, especially in the morning, leading to a "morning stiffness" sensation, which can be alleviated after some movement. However, since it's a joint problem, prolonged activity increases the burden on the joints, causing pain to reappear or even worsen. On the other hand, lower limb discomfort caused by vascular issues usually appears after exercise, as this is when the entire body requires energy. If there is insufficient blood supply, the legs cannot receive what they need, making the discomfort more pronounced.
Experts from the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan Medical University believe that although both lower limb arteriosclerosis and cold-induced leg pain have symptoms of leg pain, their pathogenic mechanisms and treatment methods are completely different. When middle-aged and elderly people discover leg pain without an apparent cause, they should seek medical examination and treatment promptly. After all, as vascular diseases progress, the difficulty of treatment increases significantly.