Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) Treatment in Central Indiana – Don’t Ghost Your Legs!
What the Heck is PAD?
Peripheral Artery Disease, or PAD if you want to sound fancy at brunch, happens when your arteries get clogged and your legs aren’t getting enough blood. Less blood = less pep in your step. You might notice leg pain, cramping, or numbness while walking.
PAD isn’t just about sore calves—it’s a serious circulation problem that could mess with your whole body.
Claudication is limb pain that develops when the muscle runs out of oxygen. This symptom can disappear with rest when oxygen levels slightly increase. Walk the same distance again, and the pain returns like a bad B-movie on Sunday matinee TV. This is a warning, like left arm pain during a heart attack
PAD is Serious Business – Don’t Play Around
Ignoring PAD? Big mistake. Here’s what could happen:
- Non-healing wounds on your feet or legs (yikes!)
- Infections that just won’t quit
- A heavy, vice-like pain in the leg. Ischemic pain is rated as one of the worst types of pain
- Higher risk of heart attack or stroke
- Worst case scenario: amputation – parts do not like to hang when there is no blood supply. This is a bit heavy-handed handed but there is a 30% chance of further amputation within 3-5 years.
So no, leg pain isn’t something to “walk off.” Early evaluation is basically like giving your legs a VIP treatment pass.
How Do You Even Get PAD?
PAD loves bad habits. Common culprits include:
- Smoking (yeah, we see you). This will give a 30-year-old the vascular supply of an 80-year-old.
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure or high cholesterol
- Sedentary lifestyle (Netflix marathons don’t count as cardio)
- Age over 50
- And a family history of PAD
Treat your arteries better than your Instagram feed, and your legs will thank you.
Treatment That Actually Works
PAD isn’t a life sentence. Depending on your case, options may include:
- Lifestyle glow-up – more walking, eating smart, quitting smoking. (This is part of all the following options)
- Medications – tackle cholesterol, blood pressure, or clotting
- Minimally invasive procedures – angioplasty or stents for stubborn blockages
- Surgery – only if you really push it
Early treatment = stronger, sassier legs that can actually keep up with your lifestyle.
The Game Changer: In-Office Vascular Testing
Here’s where things get next-level—our in-office vascular testing makes it easy to see what’s really going on with your circulation.
We start with checking your pulses, which are rated on a scale from 0 to 4. (And yes, we’re pretty darn good at feeling even the faint ones—a solid 0.5 to 4 on the scale!) This hands-on skill helps us identify early signs of poor blood flow that others might miss.
If your circulation feels a little sluggish, we can take it a step further with ABI testing (that’s short for Ankle-Brachial Index). It’s a simple, non-invasive test where blood pressure cuffs are placed on your arms and legs. Using sound waves, we listen to your blood flow to check for blockages or signs of hardening arteries (what we call non-compressible vessels).
The results help us pinpoint whether your arteries are narrowing or stiffening—basically, it’s like giving your legs a circulation report card.
FAQs
Q: How do I know if I have PAD?
A: If your legs are cramping, hurting, or going numb while walking—or just feeling plain lazy—PAD might be calling your name.
Q: Can PAD be fixed?
A: Absolutely! Lifestyle changes, medication, and treatments like angioplasty can give you relief and decrease the chance of your doctor giving you terrible news.
Q: Who’s at risk for PAD?
A: People over 50, smokers, diabetics, or anyone with high blood pressure or cholesterol. Basically, PAD doesn’t discriminate, but you can fight back.
Q: Why see our podiatrist for PAD?
A: We check your circulation, perform a blood flow test, treat symptoms, and prevent serious complications—basically, we’re like your legs’ personal hype squad.
Don’t Ghost Your Legs – Get Checked!
Leg pain, cramping, numbness? Stop guessing and start acting. At Central Indiana’s Go-To Foot Doc, we specialize in PAD care and circulation improvement. We’ll hook you up with a personalized treatment plan so your legs stay strong, sassy, and pain-free.
Book your appointment today—your legs deserve VIP treatment, not neglect.