Buerger’s disease (also known as thromboangiitis obliterans) affects blood vessels in the body, most commonly in the arms and legs. Blood vessels swell, which can prevent blood flow, causing clots to form. This can lead to pain, tissue damage, and even gangrene (the death or decay of body tissues). In some cases, amputation may be required.
The most common symptoms of Buerger’s disease are:
Fingers or toes that appear pale, red, or bluish
Cold hands or feet
Pain in the hands and feet that may feel like burning or tingling
Pain in the legs, ankles, or feet when walking— often located in the arch of the foot
Skin changes or small painful sores on the fingers or toes
The exact cause of Buerger’s disease is unknown, however tobacco use is strongly linked to its development. There is no cure for Buerger’s disease. The only way to keep Buerger’s disease from getting worse is to stop using all tobacco products. Medicines don’t usually work well to treat the disease, but can help control the symptoms. Surgery may help restore blood flow to some areas. It may be necessary to amputate the hand or foot if infection or widespread tissue death occurs.
We recently fit a client with Buerger’s disease with custom-made orthotics with wonderful results! Stay tuned to see photos of the final product.
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