Peripheral arteries disorders cause not only leg ischaemia, but also peripheral polyneuropathy. Polyneuropathy increases ischaemic pain. The aim of this study was to estimate how many patients suffering from critical leg ischaemia have symptoms of peripheral polyneuropathy. 40 patients were investigated: 37 men and 3 women; mean age was 57 years. All patients underwent electroneurographic examination. It consisted of measurements of motor conduction in tibial and peroneal nerves, wave F, sensory conduction in sural nerve. Polyneuropathy was observed in 95% of patients. The frequency of polyneuropathy was also significantly enlarged in leg with non critical ischaemia. We did not observe the greater risk of polyneuropathy in diabetic patients. The work is an introduction to the following clinical studies.
