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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staff
It isn't clear what triggers Buerger's disease. It's possible that some people may have a genetic predisposition to the disease. The condition is characterized by swelling in the arteries and veins of the arms and legs. The cells that cause the inflammation and swelling — and eventually blood clots — form in the vessels leading to your hands and feet and block the blood flow to those parts of your body.
Reduced blood flow means that the skin tissue in your hands and feet doesn't get adequate oxygen and nutrients. This leads to the signs and symptoms of Buerger's disease, beginning with pain and weakness in your fingers and toes and spreading to other parts of your arms and legs.
- Mohler ER, et al. Thromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger's disease). http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 12, 2010.
- Piazza G. Thromboangiitis obliterans. Circulation. 2010;121:1858.
- Malecki R, et al. Thromboangiitis obliterans in the 21st century — A new face of disease. Atherosclerosis. 2009;206:328.
- Sheps SG (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 13, 2010.
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