Peripheral Artery Disease is caused by the blockage of fatty deposits and calcium in the arteries. According to the National Institute of Health millions of American over the age of 50 are affected by PAD every year. The most common symptom of PAD is cramping, pain or tired ness in the legs or hip muscles while walking or climbing stairs. This pain goes away at rest. If the blockage remains in the peripheral arteries in the legs, it can cause pain, changes in skin color, sores or ulcers and difficulty walking. Loss of circulation to the legs or feet can cause gangrene or limb amputation.
At USA Vascular Centers we offer a minimally invasive and non-surgical treatment for PAD during which a balloon is used to widen the blocked arteries. The balloon presses against the walls of the arteries to open the space and to improve the blood flow a stent is placed inside the blocked arteries. Some of the reasons why this procedure is performed are:
- If your symptoms are keeping you away from your daily activities. As after a stent angioplasty procedure the blood circulation is regulated and the symptoms are gradually improved.
- If you non-healing skin ulcers or wounds on your legs.
- If you are experiencing leg pain while walking or exercising which stops at rest.
Some of the benefits of this procedure are:
- Compared to surgical interventions such as bypass surgery, balloon angioplasty and stent placement are much less invasive and relatively low-risk, low –cost procedures.
- This procedure is performed under local anesthesia and therefore there is no extended hospital stay.
- No surgical incision is required for this treatment.
- Patients can resume normal activities after a short recovery.
If you are suffering from leg pain and cramps, numbness in the legs or feet, foot discoloration call (888) 628 9389 to schedule a consultation with our leading vascular specialists. Treatments at USA Vascular Centers are covered by Medicare and most insurance plans.