[Intermittent claudication]

Intermittent claudication is a symptom triggered from the musculature during walking. The pathogenesis of the pain is unknown. All patients with peripheral vascular disease must abstain from smoking, perform physical exercise and dietary advice is sometime needed. Reconstructive vascular surgery or percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) are indicated when the occupational pattern and, in some instances, the recreational activities, are threatened. The results of these treatments are good. For various reasons a number of patients, however, cannot be offered these treatments. These patients must be informed of the importance of physical exercise and discontinuation of smoking. Some of these patients can be offered supplementary medical treatment (e.g. pentoxifylline).