Q: My husband has claudication in the lower part of his left leg that burns when he walks a half to three quarters of a block. His doctor is looking after his aortic aneurysm and tells him he needs to walk at least 30 minutes each day and to keep track of how far he walks before it hurts. Then he wants him to stop and wait until the pain goes away, and do it again.
The problem is he tells his doctor he will, but he doesn’t do it and he has never been a person who exercises. So, I was wondering what else he might do for this until they decide to repair the aneurysm. He is a high risk patient since he’s had the top lobe of each lung removed, has high blood pressure and COPD, so they don’t want to fix the aneurysm until it is larger. I have tried to get him to walk even just out to the mail box but he does it only once in a great while. He doesn’t like to go out in the winter because he was sick one whole winter with a bout of pneumonia.
I’m wondering if one of those pedal machines or a step machine you use sitting down would help his leg problem as walking on a treadmill. Any help you could give me would be greatly appreciated.
A: Because of your husband’s other medical conditions, I would initially make an appointment for a frank discussion to determine his capabilities and limitations. Does he have issues with his breathing because of the lobe resections? Is he on medication for his hypertension and the COPD?
Based on the limited information you provide from his physician, my impression is that he should exercise as much as possible. Perhaps this could be accomplished with the assistance of some stationery equipment at home. I’d hate to think he might be part way down the block without a place to sit to rest until the pain in his leg subsides. Would he consider a stationery bike or a treadmill? Do you have a physical therapy center near your home where he can work out under the watchful eye of the personnel there? To be considered is that he must be willing to undergo some form of exercise if he is to maintain his health. If he won’t, your efforts will be in vain. Do you both walk together around the block or does he prefer to do it alone? He just might enjoy walking at a leisurely pace while having someone to talk with. Or, if he has a male friend as a neighbor, you might consider taking that individual aside in an effort to enlist his help in getting the ball rolling.
In terms of going out in the wintertime, you should have a frank discussion as to whether he is fearful of falling on slippery walkways or if he is afraid of catching pneumonia again. If it is the former, perhaps you can drive him to a local park where the paths are safer. If it is the latter, assure him he can bundle up sufficiently so as to prevent catching a cold or worse. Is he a reader and might enjoy a walk to the local library for a book? If he prefers walking indoors at a mall or museum, that, too can be accomplished.
Claudication is the result of peripheral artery disease, a serious but often treatable problem with circulation. With sufficient treatment, he might be able to achieve an active lifestyle without the involvement of pain. Work together to make this happen. You’ll both be glad you did.
