The principles behind treatment for PAD depend upon your stage of PAD. Treatment is divided into OPERATIVE or NON-OPERATIVE options. Reasons for OPERATIVE treatments include: 1) any evidence of limb threat, 2) rest pain, or 3) claudication that affects you daily and limits your quality of life. Claudication that is considered mild can be treated with NON-OPERATIVE therapy; your vascular surgeon and you can determine together which options best suits you.