Providing quality foot and ankle care with two office locations to serve you
Providing quality foot and ankle care with two office locations to serve you
PVD is poor circulation in the lower extremity due to restriction of blood flow within the arteries. When arteries become narrowed by plaque (the accumulation of cholesterol and other materials on the walls of the arteries), the oxygen-rich blood flowing through the arteries cannot reach the legs and feet.
To diagnose PAD, the foot and ankle surgeon obtains a comprehensive medical history of the patient. The surgeon performs a lower extremity physical examination that includes evaluation of pulses, skin condition and foot deformities to determine the patient’s risk for PAD. If risk factors are present, the foot and ankle surgeon may order further tests.
Several noninvasive tests are available to assess PAD. The ankle-brachial index (ABI) is a simple test in which blood pressure is measured and compared at the arm and ankle levels. An abnormal ABI is a reliable indicator of underlying PAD and may prompt the foot and ankle surgeon to refer the patient to a vascular specialist for additional testing and treatment as necessary.
PVD can complicate simple foot deformities dermatologic conditions like ingrown or fungal nails. Patients with PVD do not have normal healing potential and a deformity or issue that has an increased risk of causing damage to the skin can lead to serious complications.
Treatment involves lifestyle changes, medication and surgery. Vascular surgery evaluation is necessary to determine potential need for surgery.
Venous insufficiency happens when the veins in the legs become damaged and can’t bring blood back up to the heart properly. Normally, valves in the leg veins keep blood flowing back up to the heart. But in venous insufficiency, those valves are damage, causing blood to pool in the legs which then results in swelling.
Diagnosis of venous insufficiency includes a careful physical examination of the lower extremity and extensive review of medical history to see if there are any medical conditions that may cause leg swelling or cause an increased risk in developing a clot. Vascular ultrasound can be done to evaluate for a DVT.
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