Intermittent claudication is a common symptom of peripheral artery disease (PAD), caused by reduced blood flow to the leg muscles during activity. It typically presents as pain, cramping, or fatigue in the calf, thigh, or buttock muscles that occurs while walking and improves with rest.

The underlying cause is narrowing or blockage of the arteries due to atherosclerosis, which limits the oxygen supply to muscles during exercise. As activity increases, the muscles demand more oxygen than the narrowed arteries can deliver, resulting in pain. Once the activity stops, oxygen demand decreases and the discomfort subsides.

Intermittent claudication usually affects one or both legs and may worsen over time if the underlying arterial disease progresses. Patients may report a specific distance at which pain reliably begins, which can be used to monitor severity and treatment response.

It is important to distinguish intermittent claudication from other causes of leg pain, such as nerve compression or musculoskeletal conditions. Diagnosis typically includes vascular examination, ankle-brachial index (ABI) measurement, and imaging studies to assess arterial flow.

Management focuses on risk factor control, including smoking cessation, blood pressure and cholesterol management, and diabetes care. Supervised exercise therapy is a first-line treatment and has been shown to improve walking distance and symptoms. In more severe or refractory cases, endovascular procedures or bypass surgery may be considered to restore adequate blood flow.