Peripheral Arteriosclerosis: Poor Circulation in the Legs
Smoking, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and advancing age cause atherosclerosis (aging of the blood vessels).
The progressive narrowing of the central artery / circulation in the legs gradually limits blood flow, i.e. the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues.
Peripheral artery disease can manifest itself with pain when walking (in the buttocks or calves), wounds on the legs and delayed healing. In the most advanced stages, the pain can be continuous, risking the viability of the leg.
In diabetics, peripheral artery disease in combination with neuropathy (loss of nerve function and sensation) leads to wounds that develop silently and painlessly (diabetic foot).
Patients with peripheral artery disease often suffer from coronary artery disease and carotid artery disease, as all three diseases are based on atherosclerosis and share the same risk factors.
The diagnosis is simple: a clinical examination by your vascular surgeon and an ultrasound (triplex) of the arteries.
Treatment, risk factor control and medication are usually sufficient. However, when the quality of life is affected or the viability of the leg is threatened, minimally invasive techniques (balloon or stent) restore circulation. Hospitalization lasts a few hours and the patient can be discharged the same or the next day walking. Sometimes, however, open surgery may be unavoidable.
The choice of treatments is individualized to the patient’s needs. Specialized multidisciplinary teams (vascular surgeon, cardiologist, diabetologist, hematologist, radiologist, podiatrist) and modern, specially designed high-tech (hybrid) operating rooms ensure the ideal conditions for better long-term results.
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