Pelvis artery – arteria iliaca- hip pain
Definition
A calcification of arteries causes a limited blood flow in the whole body. This blood flow deficit then causes certain limitations and pain.
Symptoms
In the case of a constriction (stenosis) or a closure of one of the two pelvis arteries the patient feels a pain in the hip or in the thigh when he goes untreated for a longer period of time. Frequently orthopaedic disorders (e.g. hip joint wearout) are assumed to be the cause. Although a wearout of the hip joint causes consistent medical conditions. Conversely, when the pain is caused by a closure of the pelvis artery, there is relief during inactivity.
Diagnosis
At the beginning of a medical examination there will be a description of the symptoms from which good hints can already be deduced. If it is not possible to take the pulse or the pulse is very low that confirms the suspicion. To estimate the walking distance it can be useful to let the patient walk a short distance on the treadmill. The pain-free ultrasound examination is also part of the first examination. If the suspicion of a constriction (stenosis) or closure of the pelvis artery can be confirmed, the option of therapy will need to be discussed.
Therapy
Therapy is only advised if the walking distance is seriously reduced, less than 200 metres. As a matter of principle there can be two therapy practices distinguished:
1.) The stretching process with a special balloon catheter (balloon dilatation or percutaneous transluminal dilatation) under X-ray control or
2.) Surgical procedures.
Nowadays the percutaneous transluminal dilatation can also be performed on patients who have a constriction or certain kinds of a closure so that surgery is not required. If there are certain reasons not to perform this practice, surgery must be considered. Here you can also distinguish two different principles: the scrape out of the artery or the bypass of the closure. The ideal procedure has to be found for each patient individually.
Where can I find more information?
CIRSE - Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe
