Definition of Claudication

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Claudication: Limping. The word "claudication" comes from the Latin "claudicare" meaning to limp. The Roman emperor Claudius (who ruled from A.D. 41-54) was so named because he limped, probably because of a birth defect.

Intermittent claudication is an aching, crampy, tired, and sometimes burning pain in the legs that comes and goes -- it typically occurs with walking and goes away with rest -- due to poor circulation of blood in the arteries of the legs.

Venous claudication refers to pain in the legs due to inadequate venous drainage, poor return of blood in the veins of the legs.