Endofibrose de l’artère iliaque externe diagnostiquée par écho-doppler post-effort

Lower limb vascular dysfunction in cyclists

“…According to one of their patients, symptoms started three years before, Mean time for a cyclist to seek specialized medical care is three years from symptoms onset 15,27,48,58. During this time, clinical signs and symptoms are often overlooked to avoid having to stop participating in sports. First, symptoms appear at submaximal effort 15 , then at moderate effort and medium distance, and may later be reported to be felt during walks 13,48,54,59. Among cyclists diagnosed with endofibrosis or thrombosis of the external iliac artery, annual training ranges from 5,000 km to 33,000 km 3,5,8,9,15,17,19,24,44, and symptoms, according to case reports, may appear after distances reach 50,000 km to 380,000 km 9,17,32,44,48. External iliac artery dysfunction in cyclists is not often associated with PAOD characteristics, such as history of thromboembolic disease, abnormal cholesterol levels 30,45 and diabetes…”

“…Failure in recognizing this type of vascular lesion may lead to the prescription of unspecific treatments for months or years and, consequently, unsuccessful results 7,10,21 . The lack of a specific and early diagnosis may often be explained by the fact that vascular lesions are mistaken or masked by musculoskeletal dysfunctions 5,8,10,15,21,22,27,38,59,64,68, such as muscle strain…”