MD Podiatrist Discusses Buerger’s Disease

According to Dan Michaels, DPM, “Buerger’s disease is a condition technically referred to as thromboangiitis obliterans, which affects blood vessels in the body, most commonly in the arms and legs. Blood vessels swell, which can prevent blood flow, and also potentially allow clots to form. Pain will result, associated with the tissue damage from the blockage of flow. Without sufficient supply, tissue death ensues, which is the definition of gangrene.” 
 
 
“Currently, there is no cure for Buerger’s disease, although discontinuing any and all exposure to tobacco is essential. Quitting can sometimes cause the symptoms to resolve completely, or at least reduce them. Apparently, cutting back is not sufficient since even one cigarette a day can make it worse. A surgical procedure called a sympathectomy has been used to treat Buerger’s. A nerve is cut, causing a relaxation of arteries, which reduces the vessels’ resistance to blood flow. But this technique is irreversible, meaning if the results are undesirable, the nerve can’t be repaired. But surgical reconstruction of the arteries is not possible because the vessels are inflamed, not diseased, the hallmark of the disease,” says Dr. Michaels.