[Acute and chronic limb ischemia in endurance athletes - a serious diagnosis of exercise-induced lower limb pain].

Lower extremity pain due to acute or chronic ischemia in high performance endurance athletes is an often forgotten differential diagnosis. A variety of symptoms constitues a multi-disciplinary challenge. Intermittent claudication or acute ischemia are clinical symptoms indicative of this vascular disease. The most important basic methods of investigation are anamnesis and clinical examination. Furthermore, the determination of the ankle-brachial index (ABI) and duplexsonography should be considered. In addition, modern cross-sectional imaging techniques such as computed tomography angiography (CTA) or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) are recommended. In case of suspect findings, the digital substraction angiography (DSA) represents a high resolution image technique for illustration of the vessel lumen. If necessary, interventional therapy (balloon angioplasty or clot lysing) can be performed simultaneously. Surgical revision remains the gold-standard of therapy and the fastest way in which athletes regain maximum performance abilities. Correct diagnosis of lower limb ischemia affecting endurance athletes should be performed without delays. Determining the ankle-brachial index following maximal exertion represents the most important diagnostic tool. Surgical treatment techniques as decompression and revascularisation provide the best long-term results.