Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) symptoms and management

So, over the last year, I’ve had to deal with two artery blockage surgeries on my leg and one thrombolysis to dissolve a clot. Since my last surgery back in April, I can manage walking about 100m before the pain kicks in—which is technically better than before, but man, it’s a struggle. My lower leg feels like a literal piece of wood, my knee is swollen and looks varicose, and there's this weird, unsettling sensation on the inner side of the knee. On top of that, I’m getting these nasty calf cramps, and even if I haven't pushed myself at all, the leg and ankle hurt like crazy when touched or first thing in the morning. At my most recent check-up, they told me I need to be walking at least 1.9 miles a day. That sounds easy on paper, but it takes me several hours to hit that goal. Right now, since I'm on medical leave, I can squeeze in two walks a day, but I’m seriously stressing about how I’ll manage once I head back to working shifts. The doctors basically told me my calf veins are shot and there isn't much they can do about them—they even dropped the hammer by saying if those veins clog up, I could lose the whole leg. Currently, I've been buying Strauss drops on my own (they are insanely expensive, honestly), hoping they might help. I’d love to get some input from you guys. If there are any vascular surgeons in the forum, where are the best ones located in the US? Also, what's the consensus on these drops, or is there some other medication I should look into? Are there any other treatment methods out there that I don't know about yet?

Aaron Miller36 said:Over the past year, I have undergone two arterial bypass surgeries on my leg and one thrombolysis procedure—essentially using medication to dissolve a clot. Since my most recent surgery back in April, I can walk slightly further without pain—about 100 meters—than I could before, but my lower leg feels rigid, the knee is swollen and varicose, and there is a strange sensation on the inner side of the knee. I am also dealing with calf cramps; the area is painful to the touch and hurts in the morning, even when I haven't been active, along with ankle pain that wasn't an issue prior to the surgery. At my last checkup, I was told I need to walk at least 1.9 miles daily (which takes me several hours—I walk regularly twice a day now while on medical leave, but I worry about how this will work once I return to shift work). They mentioned my calf veins are in poor condition and won't improve much—noting that if they clog, I could lose the leg entirely. Currently, I am taking Strauss drops—I buy them myself, though they are quite expensive—and hoping for some relief. I would appreciate your thoughts—perhaps from a vascular surgeon, or advice on where the best vascular specialists are located in the US, or any insight into these drops or other treatments—are there any other options left?

The fact that you can walk further than before—even if it is just 100 meters—is progress. Yes, walking is essential to encourage collateral circulation—basically building alternative pathways for blood flow. You have to keep moving even when it hurts; the longer, the better. There are certain medications, such as cilostazol (which, as far as I know, isn't available in the US), but those drugs generally only manage symptoms—they don't actually fix the underlying arterial disease.

Are you taking statins for cholesterol, or ACE inhibitors for blood pressure? And please, stop smoking!!!... If this is atherosclerotic disease rather than something like Buerger's disease, those medications are absolutely mandatory.