Living with Thromboangiitis obliterans
A condition (Buerger disease) in which blood vessels in the arms and legs swell and block, reducing blood flow.
Understanding Thromboangiitis obliterans
Less blood flow can damage tissues. Symptoms may start in the fingertips or toes and move up the arms or legs. It starts in adulthood. GARD says it almost always occurs in people who use tobacco.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Coldness, numbness, tingling, or burning
- Pain and painful muscle cramps
- Raynaud phenomenon (fingers or toes change color)
- Skin ulcers (open sores)
- Blue skin on the hands or feet (acrocyanosis)
- Tissue death (gangrene)
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include autoimmune and inflammatory disease specialists and kidney specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Vasculitis Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- autoimmune and inflammatory disease specialists (rheumatologists); Kidney specialists (nephrologists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Vasculitis Foundation
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Vasculitis Foundation and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD says it almost always occurs in people who use tobacco, but it's not known exactly how tobacco plays a role. Some people may have a genetic tendency, and the immune system seems to play a large role.
Also known as: buerger disease; buerger's disease; presenile gangrene; thromboangiitis obliterans [buerger's disease]
Patient organizations
- Vasculitis FoundationThromboangiitis obliterans · United States
- National Kidney FoundationKidney diseases · United States
- Renal Support NetworkKidney diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Thromboangiitis obliterans.
Explore research for Thromboangiitis obliterans
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- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
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- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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