Pain in right leg when running

[runner59]

I am a 59 year old male.  I experience pain in my right quad and calf shortly after I begin running.  The pain will stop after I pause for a moment and return shortly after I begin running.  This pattern will presist for nearly an hour.  After the hour the pain is such that I no longer have to pause and I continue to run.  I notice that the right leg seems weaker as the running session continues.  I had an angiogram in the right leg and a 10 to 20  blockage was discovered.  No recommendations were made.   Where should go from here?  Running down the trail or running toward another doc. consult?

[runner59]

I do not take any medication.  I do take a multi vit. and some addtional vits, D,C,E.  plus Glucosamine Chondroitin.  Two side conditions which exist are Raynaud's Syn. and some ED.  The Raynaud's in only in fingers and not in my toes.  Other than these conditions I'm in great physical shape and condition. My numbers( BP, Cholosteral ) are within the guide lines.  Could it be that the blockage doesn't cause the leg problem and that the cause may be nerve or muscle related?   Thanks for your reply.

[Darcy Green Conaway, MD]

It would be unexpected that only a 10-20% blockage would cause these degree of symptoms-- it leads me to wonder if there is potentially worse blockage that just wasn't seen. Nonetheless, you have peripheral arterial disease and exercise is often the primary treatment strategy (this encourages the development of new blood vessels)-- again, if you are experiencing this much pain due to that disease it simply has to be worse than a 10-20% blockage. The fact that the leg seems weaker is also concerning. I would recommend further evaluation and discussion with your primary physician to ensure there isn't another cause of your pain.Many people with peripheral arterial disease get put on medications to prevent clotting-- are you something called trental by any chance?