Overview
Buerger disease, also known as thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO), is a rare but serious disease that affects the blood vessels in the arms and legs. In this condition, the small and medium-sized arteries and veins become inflamed and blocked by blood clots. This cuts off blood flow to the hands, feet, fingers, and toes. Over time, the lack of blood flow can cause severe pain, open sores, and in the worst cases, tissue death (gangrene) that may require amputation. The most important known cause of Buerger disease is tobacco use — including cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and even heavy secondhand smoke exposure. The disease almost always occurs in people who use tobacco, and quitting tobacco is the single most important step in slowing or stopping the disease. It is not a typical genetic disease, though some people may be more susceptible than others. Symptoms usually start in young adults, often before age 45. People may notice pain in their feet or hands during activity, cold or bluish fingers or toes, and painful sores that do not heal. There is no cure, but stopping all tobacco use can halt disease progression. Treatments focus on improving blood flow, managing pain, and preventing amputation.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Pain in the feet, legs, hands, or arms during walking or activityPain at rest in the fingers or toes, especially at nightCold, numb, or tingling fingers and toesSkin color changes — fingers or toes turning pale, bluish, or reddishPainful open sores or ulcers on fingers or toes that do not healTissue death (gangrene) in severe casesSwollen, tender veins just under the skin (superficial phlebitis)Weak or absent pulse in the wrist or footSensitivity to cold temperaturesRaynaud's phenomenon — fingers or toes turning white or blue in the cold
Clinical phenotype terms (17)— hover any for plain English
Multifactorial
Caused by a mix of several genes and environmental factors
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
4 eventsAntidote Therapeutics, Inc — PHASE1
Beijing Northland Biotech. Co., Ltd.
University Hospital, Toulouse — PHASE3
Cell Biopeutics Resources Sdn Bhd — PHASE4
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Buerger disease.
3 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Buerger disease.
Community
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Start the conversation →Latest news about Buerger disease
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Efficacy and Safety of Stempeucel® in Patients With Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI) Due to Buerger's Disease
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Buerger disease
New recruiting trial: A First in Human Single Ascending Dose (SAD) Study of ATI-1013 in Healthy Smokers
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Buerger disease
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What is the best plan to help me quit all tobacco, and which medications are safe for me to use?,How advanced is my disease, and which blood vessels are most affected?,What warning signs should make me go to the emergency room right away?,Are there any medications or procedures that could improve blood flow to my hands and feet?,How do I care for the sores on my fingers or toes at home, and when should I see a wound care specialist?,What lifestyle changes beyond quitting tobacco can help slow the disease?,Is there a clinical trial or newer treatment I might be eligible for?
Common questions about Buerger disease
What is Buerger disease?
Buerger disease, also known as thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO), is a rare but serious disease that affects the blood vessels in the arms and legs. In this condition, the small and medium-sized arteries and veins become inflamed and blocked by blood clots. This cuts off blood flow to the hands, feet, fingers, and toes. Over time, the lack of blood flow can cause severe pain, open sores, and in the worst cases, tissue death (gangrene) that may require amputation. The most important known cause of Buerger disease is tobacco use — including cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and even heavy sec
How is Buerger disease inherited?
Buerger disease follows a multifactorial inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Buerger disease typically begin?
Typical onset of Buerger disease is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Buerger disease?
Yes — 3 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Buerger disease on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Buerger disease?
25 specialists and care centers treating Buerger disease are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.