When walking becomes a pain: When leg pain cuts walking short, a circulation or nerve problem could be the reason. (cover story)

PERIPHERAL vascular disease diagnosis; MYOCARDIAL infarction risk factors; LEG innervation; PHYSICAL diagnosis; SCIATICA; PERIPHERAL vascular diseases; COMPUTED tomography; SPINAL stenosis; MAGNETIC resonance imaging; WALKING; ANKLE brachial index; PAIN; BLOOD circulation; ARTHRITIS; LUMBAR vertebrae; SPRAINS; STROKE; BLOOD pressure; DISEASE risk factors

The article considers a circulation or nerve problem as the possible reason when walking becomes a pain. Topics discussed include conditions that can affect walking, the best strategy when pain arises as one walks faster or longer, and symptoms and diagnosis of peripheral artery disease (PAD), a condition which occurs when the arteries that carry blood to the leg muscles narrow.