Arterial disease
Other specialties
Peripheral artery disease is a common circulatory problem in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the extremities. When you have peripheral artery disease, the extremities, usually the legs, do not receive enough blood flow to meet the demand. This causes symptoms, especially leg pain when walking. Peripheral artery disease is also likely to be a sign of a widespread build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries. This condition can reduce blood flow to the heart and brain, as well as the legs. Peripheral artery disease can often be treated successfully by quitting smoking, exercising, and eating a healthy diet.
Symptoms of claudication include muscle aches or cramps in the legs or arms, caused by activity
such as walking, but disappear after a few minutes of rest. The location of the pain depends on where the artery is blocked or narrowed. Pain in the calf is the most common location. The severity of claudication varies greatly, from mild discomfort to debilitating pain. Severe claudication can make it difficult to walk or do other types of physical activity.
Signs and symptoms of peripheral artery disease include the following:
- Painful cramps in the muscles of the hips, thighs, or calves after certain activities, such as walking or climbing stairs (claudication).
- Numbness or weakness.
- Feeling of cold in the lower leg or foot, especially compared to the other limb.
- sores that do not heal on the toes, feet, or legs
- a change in color of the legs
- Hair loss or slow hair growth on the feet and legs.
- Slower growth of toenails.
- Shiny skin on the legs.
- Lack of dust or weak dust on the legs or feet.
- Erectile dysfunction in men.
Peripheral kangiopathy is a disease produced by the arterioesderosi of the leg arteries and initially causes pain when walking and if left untreated or evolving can become a serious problem with the appearance of constant severe pain or injuries to the feet with compromise to the limb. Doppler ultrasound allows us to draw a picture of how the circulation is in the legs and to what extent the arteries are affected. It also helps to plan surgical treatment if necessary. The treatment includes specific medication and in advanced cases, by-pass surgical treatment or minimally invasive treatment with stents and other techniques.