Trial of Nonsurgical Treatment of Intermittent Claudication Due to Femoro-popliteal Disease

Intermittent Claudication (IC)is a common condition characterised by pain in the muscles of the legs on exertion caused by "hardening of the arteries" and a reduced blood supply. The investigators know that the vast majority of people suffering from this condition remain stable and do not deteriorate, and thus in general the viability of legs is not at risk. The main aim of treatment, therefore, is to try and improve walking thus reducing the impact this problem has on patients life style. There are many methods of management of intermittent claudication, but the investigators do not know which produces the best results. This study aims to compare the short and medium term outcomes of exercise programmes, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and a combination of the two treatments for patients with intermittent claudication.