[The prognosis in, and the limitations set to concervative treatment of occlusion of crural arteries (author's transl)].

Arterial occlusions limited to the lower leg generally respond well to therapeutic measures. Claudicatio intermittens can, in most instances, be adequately improved by exercise. Major amputations at stages III/IV can be avoided in practically all cases by conservative measures, provided the poplitea pulse is distinctly palpable. Patients with crural occlusion and necrosis tend to develop trophic lesions also at later times. Sympathectomy will be unable to prevent such recurrences where nicotine inhalation, the most important factor determining the prognosis, is continued.