Buerger's Disease

Buerger’s disease (thromboangiitis obliterans) is a rare disease most often found in those who smoke. The blood vessels in their legs, arms, feet and hands get inflamed, making it hard for blood to travel through.

Causes #

• The cause of Buerger’s disease is not known, but scientists think something in tobacco hurts the lining in your blood vessels.

• Most people with Buerger’s disease are tobacco users.

• Your genes may make you more likely to get Buerger’s disease. Some scientists think it’s an autoimmune disease.

Symptoms #

Buerger’s disease symptoms develop slowly over time. Symptoms include:

• Hand or foot pain (burning or tingling feeling).

• Sores on toes or fingers.

• Ankle, foot or leg pain when you walk.

• Raynaud’s phenomenon.

• Skin color or texture change.

Other Buerger’s disease symptoms may happen after you’ve had it for a while. These include:

• Muscle cramps.

• Blood clots in blood vessels.

• Red, blue or pale fingers or toes.

• Blue in part of your face.

• Cold or numb feet or hands.

• Gangrene.

• Skin ulcers.

Diagnosis #

• Ultrasound.

• Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI).

• Computed tomography (CT).

• Angiogram.

• Magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA).

Treatment #

Some medications are helpful in Buerger’s disease treatment. They include medicines that:

• Make your blood flow better.

• Help with pain.

• Help new blood vessels grow.

• Break up clots.

What treatments are used for Buerger’s disease?

You may get relief from Buerger’s disease symptoms with:

• Exercise.

• Arm and leg compression.

• Surgery for pain or better blood flow.

• Stimulation of the spinal cord.

• Removal of fingers or toes when an infection or gangrene happens.