To determine the effect of intermittent pneumatic foot and calf compression on popliteal artery mean systolic blood flow in patients with intermittent claudication. The secondary objective was to determine the change in blood flow with posture.
This case report illustrates the misdiagnosis of intermittent claudication in an elderly with multiple cardiac risk factors. Careful clinical evaluation and imaging shifts the diagnosis from peripheral vascular disease to spinal stenosis. The decision whether to offer conservative therapy or proceed to spinal surgery requires an accurate assessment of the severity of the symptoms without ignoring the important role of patient preferences.