Is There Any Remedy for "Claudication" Besides Bypass Surgery?

QUESTION: Would you please discuss a condition called "claudication". I am a
sufferer, and wonder if there is any remedy to the problem other than bypass
surgery?
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ANSWER: A symptom of intermittent claudication results from a deficient blood
supply in an exercising muscle. After but a brief period of walking the limb
becomes "tired," or a pain, ache or cramp may be felt. Usually it occurs in
the calf, but can also affect the foot, hips, thighs or buttocks. After a few
moments of rest, from 1 to 5 minutes, the pain abates, and the patient can
walk on for about as much time or distance as originally, when once again the
symptoms recur. The distress is greater when walking rapidly or walking
uphill, and the ever diminishing distances that a person may cover during the
painless periods indicates that the disease is progressing. True intermittent
claudication never occurs at rest, and does not require that you sit for the
pain to disappear. The underlying cause is the presence of atherosclerotic
plaques which develop in the arteries of the extremities, and block the
passage of blood needed to carry oxygen to the working muscles. The amount of
pain and the distances you can cover will depend upon the extent of the
disease, and if there are other open arteries in your legs to help carry the
blood. Exercise is recommended to overcome some of the restriction. Walk for
about 60 minutes each day if possible, stopping when the pain occurs until it
disappears, and then moving on again. This can improve your condition
measurably and provided you with the ability to cover considerable distances
without pain. A medication called pentoxifylline (Trental) that increases the
ability of red cells to pass through narrowed arteries and capillaries may be
used to improve the circulation in your legs and reduce the symptoms. It is
only when these techniques fail to improve your situation that you may have to
consider surgery to bypass the blocks present in your arteries which are the
cause of your problem.