The legs – peripheral vascular disease
Atherosclerosis can cause cramping pain in the leg muscles on exertion that settles after a few minutes’ rest (intermittent claudication).
In the early stages of the condition, the pain usually occurs in the calves with a particular walking distance or effort, but settles again after 5 to 10 minutes’ rest.
The pain is a result of the leg muscles not getting enough blood to cater for the physical effort needed.
More advanced atherosclerosis may cause constant pain at rest, ulceration of the lower leg and even gangrene in the toes and feet.