A painful condition caused by smoking that affects the arms and legs
Buerger’s disease causes blood vessels in the arms and legs to become diseased, blocking blood flow and causing blood clots. Also known as thromboangiitis obliterans, Buerger’s disease affects mostly smokers or users of other tobacco products. While tobacco use clearly plays a role in the disease, researchers aren’t entirely sure why.
The disease causes pain and, in severe cases, tissue death, which may require the amputation.
What are the symptoms?
Buerger’s disease usually first appears in your hands and feet and then may spread to affect your arms and legs.
Symptoms include:
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Pale or bluish hands or feet
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Cold hands or feet
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Inflammation along veins just below the skin’s surface
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Open sores on your fingers or toes
Clogged blood vessels limit the flow of oxygen and nutrients to tissue, leading to tissue death, known as gangrene. Signs of gangrene include black or blue skin, loss of feeling in the area, and a foul smell in the affected area.
Tests
Angiogram (Angiography)
An angiogram is a special X-ray taken as a special dye is injected through a thin, flexible tube called a catheter to detect blockages or aneurysms in blood vessels.
Our providers
Location: Change location Enter your location
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Othman Mohamed-Asem Abdul-Malak, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Suzanne M Benn, FNPBC, MSN
Vascular Surgery
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Joshua A. Dearing, MD
Vascular Surgery
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John Harvey, MBCHB, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Ayesha Nzeribe Hatch, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Geetha Jeyabalan, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Misaki Mikki Kiguchi, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Wendy S. Lobo, AGACNP-BC, DNP, MBA, MSN
Vascular Surgery
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Marissa Mallari Magtanong, AGNP, MSN
Vascular Surgery
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Kyle B. Reynolds, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Asmeret Tewolde, CFNP, MSN
Vascular Surgery
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Lisa Anne Yager, AGNP, MSN
Vascular Surgery
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Sarkis Garabet Aghazarian, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Naren Gupta, MBBS, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Shan-E-Ali Haider, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Dustin Yung Yoon, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Additional information
Vascular and endovascular program
Partner with a recognized leader in offering care ranging from straightforward vascular disease to the most complex vascular disorders.
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Insurance
MedStar Health accepts most major health insurance plans. If you are uncertain as to whether your individual health insurance plan is accepted at MedStar Health, please call your insurance company.