Etalage legs

Do you feel tired and experience cramps or pain in your legs after walking a short distance? Do you also find yourself having to stop every now and then so that the pain subsides? If so, you may be suffering from intermittent claudication, also known as ‘window-shopping legs’. Why do we actually call this ‘window-shopper’s leg’? Because when you’re out shopping, you also regularly stop for a moment to look in the shop windows. When you have tired or painful legs, you’re essentially doing the same thing, hence the name ‘window-shopper’s leg’.

 

How does it feel?

The pain in your legs is caused by a narrowing of the leg arteries. After walking for a while, you experience a cramp-like pain in your leg. At that point, it seems impossible to carry on walking, but after a short while the pain subsides. When you start walking again, the pain returns.

As mentioned above, intermittent claudication is caused by a narrowing of the leg arteries. This narrowing means that the muscles we use when walking do not receive enough oxygen, causing pain. But how does this narrowing actually occur? One of the biggest risk factors is smoking. In addition, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol levels and diabetes can also increase the risk of developing intermittent claudication.

 

What can FRISKFYSIO Amstelveen do for you?

If your symptoms persist or keep recurring, we at FRISKFYSIO Amstelveen would be happy to discuss the best course of treatment for your situation. During your first appointment at FRISKFYSIO Amstelveen, we’ll conduct an interview and a thorough assessment, and one of our professionals will analyse your symptoms. Based on the results, we’ll determine which treatment is best suited to your condition(s). We will then draw up a clear treatment plan together, and you will be given exercises to take home, which you can access online or via our FRISK App.