Buerger’s disease, also called thromboangitis obliterans, is a rare form of vasculitis characterized by acute inflammation and clotting of the arteries and veins of the hands and feet. The inflammation can lead to blockages of the arteries of the lower portions of the armsand legs. These blockages can cause critical limb ischemia and/or claudication , rest pain and non-healing sores or ulcers, in the hands and/or feet.
Buerger’s disease, which occurs almost exclusively in heavy smokers, is different from peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in that it is not caused by atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in the arteries). The disease can cause pain in the hands and feet in response to exercise due to reduced blood-flow.
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