Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
Assessment and treatment of blocked or narrowed arteries supplying the legs and feet
What is it?
Peripheral Artery Disease occurs when the arteries that carry blood from the heart to the legs and feet become narrowed by a build-up of plaque. This reduces blood flow to the lower limbs, depriving the muscles and tissue of the oxygen and nutrients they need.
PAD is different from varicose veins. Varicose veins are a problem with blood returning upward through the veins. PAD is a problem with blood flowing downward through the arteries. Both are vascular conditions but they require different diagnoses and different treatments.
When PAD is combined with diabetes, it becomes significantly more dangerous. Diabetic nerve damage can mask the early warning signs of PAD, allowing the condition to progress silently until a non-healing wound or critical limb ischaemia develops.
Left untreated, varicose veins are a progressive condition. Over time they can cause persistent pain, swelling, skin changes, and in more advanced cases, open wounds called venous ulcers. They are a medical condition not merely a cosmetic concern.
and minimally invasive intervention when needed — ensuring patients can return to their normal lives quickly with minimal discomfort.
Who is this for ?
Cramping or pain in the legs during walking that goes away with rest (claudication)
Persistent coldness or numbness in the feet or toes
Hairless or shiny skin on the lower legs
Wounds or sores on the feet or toes that are healing slowly or not at all
Diabetic patients particularly those with long-standing diabetes or poor sugar control
What happens During the Treatment ?
Diagnosis begins with a clinical examination and an Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) test a simple, painless test that measures blood pressure at the ankle and compares it to the arm.
This gives a clear indication of whether arterial blood flow to the foot is reduced.
A Doppler ultrasound provides more detailed information about blood flow patterns in the specific arteries of the leg.
Treatment depends on the severity of the disease. Mild PAD is often managed with lifestyle changes and medication. More significant blockages may require an endovascular procedure to restore blood flow performed in a minimally invasive manner, without open surgery where possible.
ABI test
Doppler assessment
Minimally invasive
Limb preservation focus
IMPORTANT TO KNOW
PAD is a progressive condition that significantly increases the risk of heart attack and stroke not just limb complications. Early diagnosis allows intervention before serious damage occurs.