Which position typically relieves leg pain due to peripheral arterial disease during walking?

Which position typically relieves leg pain due to peripheral arterial disease during walking?

• A. Elevation
• B. Dependent position
• C. Rest
• D. Cold exposure

Answer: (B)

Pain during walking in peripheral arterial disease comes from transient muscle ischemia when the legs demand more blood than the narrowed arteries can supply. Placing the leg in a dependent position uses gravity to increase hydrostatic pressure in the distal arteries, which helps push more arterial blood into the legs and temporarily relieves the ischemia, easing the claudication sensation. Elevating the leg would lower distal arterial pressure and worsen the pain, while cold exposure can provoke vasoconstriction and increase symptoms. Resting reduces muscle demand, but the positional change that commonly provides immediate, localized relief during activity is the dependent position.

Pain during walking in peripheral arterial disease comes from transient muscle ischemia when the legs demand more blood than the narrowed arteries can supply. Placing the leg in a dependent position uses gravity to increase hydrostatic pressure in the distal arteries, which helps push more arterial blood into the legs and temporarily relieves the ischemia, easing the claudication sensation. Elevating the leg would lower distal arterial pressure and worsen the pain, while cold exposure can provoke vasoconstriction and increase symptoms. Resting reduces muscle demand, but the positional change that commonly provides immediate, localized relief during activity is the dependent position.