If you frequently experience pain in the back of your legs when walking, it could be a sign of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD).

PAD (Peripheral Artery Disease) is a common circulatory condition affecting more than 10 million Americans. PAD causes a narrowing of the peripheral arteries due to fatty plaque buildup (or atherosclerosis) which restricts blood flow to the extremities. This can lead to chronic aches and pains, especially in the legs.

PAD can have serious consequences if left untreated, such as non-healing or infected foot and leg ulcers resulting in dead tissue and carrying the risk for limb loss or amputation.

At CTVS, our team of board-certified vascular surgeons and PAD specialists help treat the symptoms of PAD, and we always do everything we can to prevent amputation.

In addition to leg pain, other common symptoms of PAD include:

  • Chronic foot or ankle pain
  • Skin on the feet or legs that is cool or numb to the touch
  • Decreased or lack of hair growing on the legs or feet
  • Discolored skin on the legs or feet that appears blue, purple or even shiny

Who is at risk for PAD?

Those who are prone to developing PAD typically have one or more of the following risk factors:

  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure or high cholesterol
  • A family history of PAD or other circulatory issues
  • A history of smoking

The good news is that being proactive, working with your doctor, and making positive lifestyle changes including walking can go a long way in managing these risk factors in order to reduce your chances for PAD.

When should you see a doctor for your leg pain?

You should see a vascular specialist who treats PAD if you experience:

  • Leg pain, cramping, or difficulty when walking
  • A sudden cooling, tingling, or numbing sensation in the legs or feet
  • Signs of dead tissue or a threatened extremity, sores on your legs or feet that don’t heal or blue/blackened skin (this means you should seek help immediately)

CTVS offers a number of treatment options to treat PAD and associated leg pain such as:

  • Dedicated wound care for foot and leg ulcers
  • Surgical revascularization (rerouting healthy blood flow around blocked arteries)
  • Coordination with dieticians, diabetic specialists, and physical therapists for guidance on healthy lifestyle habits

For questions about our vascular, cardiac, or thoracic services, please visit ctvstexas.com or call us at (512) 459-8753 to schedule an appointment.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram and check our blog for regular updates.