Is there really no alternative other than exercise for claudication, where angioplasty or arterial bypass are not recommended?

[1504petjen]

I have been told that the 2 a arteries below my knee are too small to be operated on. I can only walk around 100 yards before having to rest because of extremely painful calves. A few minutes rest, and I can walk another 100 yards or so.

[DevonLottie]

I really feel for you having suffered from the same this year. I was able to have angioplasty but was also given aspirin. Other than that it was exercises I'm afraid. Ido hope it eases for you. Best wishes charlotte

[PMRpro]

You might find this link helps you understand claudication. It also suggests several drugs that help sometimes - but my husband worked in this field for many years and he got the impression many patients found the treatments as bad as the disease and, of course, some may be unsuitable for you. Because the drugs dilate the arteries the effects tend to be all over and lead to other problems. His vascular surgeon colleagues all recommended exercise as a start. I assume you are already taking low dose aspirin?

But like any training - walking "through the pain" works as the muscles become better trained. The idea is to walk until the pain - and then a bit more, rest and do it again. It is possible to increase the distance by considerable amounts. Claudication isn't called "the show window disease" for nothing - walking round the town looking in the window displays is a good way of keeping entertained whilst walking!

This link is to a reliable website - I haven't found anything I'd call wibble yet!

medicinenet.com/claudicatio...