A flexible stent structure (300) includes a plurality of axially spaced strut portions (302, 304, 305) defining generally tubular axial segments of the stent and constructed to be radially expandable. A helical portion (303, 309) is interposed axially between two strut portions and has a plurality of helical elements connected between circumferentially spaced locations on the two strut portions. The helical elements extend helically between those locations and the length of a helical element is sufficient so that, when the stent is in a radially expanded state, it can simultaneously withstand repeated axial compression or expansion and bending.
