Final answer:
The leg pain described with a palpable "cord" is likely due to phlebitis in the setting of PAD, and among given options, 'swelling' is consistent with the symptoms of inflammation and thrombosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The symptom of leg pain with a physical examination (PE) revealing a tortuous, palpable "cord" in the context of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) suggests phlebitis, often associated with venous thrombosis. The four cardinal signs of inflammation described by Cornelius Celsus include redness, swelling, pain, and local heat. Given these options, the symptom consistent with a tortuous, palpable "cord" would be swelling due to inflammation and potential blockage of the vein. Other symptoms of PAD can include intermittent claudication, skin ulcers, bluish skin, and cold skin in the affected extremity, but these are not typically associated with the physical finding described as a palpable "cord" in the question.