Aorto-iliac occlusion disease (AIOD) frequently occurs in patients with atherosclerosis who are older than 50 year-old and the real prevalence seems to be always underestimated. A smoking habit and diabetes melitus are the two major risk factors for the disease. We presented a case of AIOD who attended our emergency department (ED) that led to the acute onset of paraplegia and severe abdominal pain. Prompt ED diagnosis and surgical intervention was able to successfully prevent the need for amputation with this patient. We wish to remind emergency physicians of the presence of this disease and the need to take a more aggressive altitude towards its treatment in order to lower morbidity.