Vascular Lower Limb Pain Differential Diagnosis
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): This is the most likely diagnosis due to the high prevalence of PAD in patients with vascular lower limb pain, especially those with risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, and hypertension.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): DVT is a common cause of lower limb pain, especially in patients with risk factors such as immobility, cancer, or recent surgery.
- Varicose Veins: Varicose veins can cause pain, swelling, and discomfort in the lower limbs, especially after prolonged standing or walking.
- Chronic Venous Insufficiency: This condition can cause pain, swelling, and skin changes in the lower limbs due to poor venous circulation.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Acute Arterial Occlusion: This is a medical emergency that requires prompt treatment to prevent limb loss and other complications.
- Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA): AAA can cause severe lower limb pain, especially if it ruptures and compromises blood flow to the lower limbs.
- Septic Arteritis or Mycotic Aneurysm: These conditions can cause severe pain, fever, and other systemic symptoms, and require prompt antibiotic treatment and possible surgical intervention.
Rare Diagnoses
- Buerger's Disease (Thromboangiitis Obliterans): This rare condition causes inflammation and clotting of blood vessels, leading to pain, swelling, and tissue damage in the lower limbs.
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: This genetic disorder can cause vascular fragility and rupture, leading to severe pain and other complications.
- Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome: This rare condition causes compression of the popliteal artery, leading to pain, swelling, and claudication in the lower limb.