Claudication is a pain which occurs in leg muscles (often the calf) during exercise as they become starved of blood. This is caused by a narrowing or blockage in the arteries supplying the leg and this limits the blood supply meaning that it cannot increase to compensate for this increased demand during exercise.
The commonest cause is atherosclerosis (furring up of the lining of the blood vessels) and this is the same disease which causes strokes, heart attacks and angina. It tends to occur in middle-aged and elderly people and is more common in those who have smoked, who have high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes.
Leg pains and poor mobility are common especially in older age and can be caused by multiple problems including arthritis, muscle strains, unsteadiness, weakness and tiredness
