Intermittent claudication, also known as leg cramps, occurs when the arteries in the legs are narrowed. This causes the muscles to receive too little oxygen during walking, resulting in pain.
The name "shop window legs" comes from people often having to stop walking and, for example, standing still at a shop window to let the pain subside.
At Fysio Roode, we help people with intermittent claudication to increase their walking distance, build stamina, and make daily movement easier again.
How do you recognize these complaints?
Common signs include:
- Pain or cramping in the calf, thigh, or buttock while walking
- complaints that disappear after a short rest
- less and less able to walk
- cold feet
- tired feeling in the legs
The severity of the complaints varies from person to person. Some people only develop complaints after longer distances, while others develop them after just a few minutes of walking.
Window shopping legs are caused by peripheral artery disease (PAD), also known as atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. This condition occurs when plaque, a fatty substance, builds up inside the arteries, narrowing them and restricting blood flow. In the case of PAD, this buildup typically affects the arteries in the legs. When you walk, your leg muscles require more oxygen-rich blood. If the arteries are narrowed, they can't deliver enough blood to meet this demand. This lack of oxygen causes pain and cramping, forcing you to stop and rest. As soon as you stop walking, your muscles need less oxygen, and the pain subsides. When you start walking again, the cycle repeats, creating the sensation of "window shopping legs" because you have to stop frequently to relieve the pain.
The cause is usually atherosclerosis. This causes narrowing of the blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the legs.
Factors that increase the risk are:
- hereditary predisposition and age
- smoking
- high blood pressure
- diabetes
- high cholesterol
- overweight
- little movement
When physiotherapy helps with intermittent claudication
Increasing the walking distance
With targeted running training, we teach the body to handle loads more efficiently and work on improving fitness.
More confidence in moving
Through guidance and activity development, exercise often becomes easier to maintain.
Working on a healthy lifestyle
The main complaint with a narrowing of the leg arteries is pain while walking, and continuing to walk seems... Besides training, we focus on factors that influence recovery, such as movement, fitness, and lifestyle.
How we help you
Personal Training Program
We start with an intake and map out your current capacities.
The treatment may consist of:
- loop training
- Condition training
- strength training
- Lifestyle and exercise coaching
- Building up to training independently
Our colleague Jorg Gloudemans treats people with intermittent claudication and is affiliated with the Claudication Network.
Together, we work on increasing your pain-free running distance and maintaining long-term results.
Physical therapy appointment for claudication
Are you noticing that walking is becoming increasingly difficult, or do you have to stop regularly due to pain? Contact Fysio Roode in Berghem. Together, we'll determine which support is best suited for you.
