The amount of the blockage that is built up can increase over time. The person might notice that the walking pain starts at shorter distances. At the same time, the most comfortable position for the person to be in is with their legs hanging down. They might even need to start getting up at night to sit in a chair to relieve the ache. This is a sign that the blockage is getting worse.
Sores usually appear on the toes and heels when the blood supply is getting more blocked.
These sores are called ulcers and they do not heal easily. These sores need to be brought to the attention of your physician for proper treatment. With severe walking and rest pain symptoms, surgery may be recommended. With less severe symptoms, the way to deal with the pain is to limit activity according to the amount of pain experienced. Sitting up with the legs lower than the heart will also help.