Where would a patient with atherosclerosis in the lower extremities most likely experience pain?

In patients with atherosclerosis affecting the lower extremities, the most common area for them to experience pain is the calf. This condition often results in peripheral artery disease (PAD), which is characterized by narrowed arteries that reduce blood flow to the limbs. When a person with PAD engages in physical activities, such as walking or climbing stairs, the muscles in the legs may not receive sufficient oxygenated blood, leading to ischemic pain.

Calf pain, specifically, is a hallmark symptom of claudication, which is the pain or cramping that occurs during exertion and is relieved by rest. This is due to the exertion-induced demand for blood flow exceeding the supply provided by the narrowed arteries. While it is possible for pain to originate in other areas such as the thigh, ankle, or foot, the calf is most consistently associated with exertional pain in patients with lower extremity atherosclerosis.