Buerger's disease

There is no cure for thromboangiitis obliterans. The goal of treatment is to control symptoms.

To prevent amputation, the patient must stop using tobacco and should avoid cold temperatures and other conditions that reduce circulation to the hands and feet.

Applying warmth and exercising gently may help increase circulation.

Cutting the nerves to the area (surgical sympathectomy) may help control pain. Aspirin and vasodilators may also used. It may be necessary to amputate the hand or foot if infection or widespread tissue death occurs.

Symptoms of thromboangiitis obliterans may disappear if the person stops tobacco use. For some, amputation is unavoidable.

• Amputation
• Gangrene (tissue death)
• Loss of circulation beyond the affected hand or foot

Call your health care provider if:

• You have symptoms of thromboangiitis obliterans
• You have thromboangiitis obliterans and symptoms get worse, even with treatment
• You develop new symptoms

Images

Thromboangiites obliterans

Circulatory system

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Review Date: 11/05/2010
Reviewed By: Ariel D. Teitel, MD, MBA, Chief, Division of Rheumatology, St. Vincent's Hospital, New York, NY. Review provided by Verimed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)