Peripheral Arterial Disease

PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL DISEASE (PAD)

Peripheral arterial disease or PAD is a prevalent circulatory issue that interferes with the flow of blood to the limbs, particularly the legs. Leg pain that occurs due to PAD may worsen, especially when one walks.

Causes

The main reason for peripheral arterial disease is atherosclerosis which is the build-up of plaque that clings to the arterial walls. When atherosclerosis occurs in the arteries that nourish the limbs, peripheral arterial disease arises.

Symptoms

Persistent leg pain is a common sign of peripheral arterial disease.
Other signs of PAD include:

  • Numb sensation in the legs
  • Change in the colour of skin-particularly the legs
  • Slow toenail growth
  • Coldness in one part of the leg
  • Open sores on the lower extremity that don't heal

Diagnosis

Dr Botha and Dr Shone carry out a physical exam to evaluate signs of PAD. They conduct an ankle-branchial index test to diagnose PAD. ABI calculates and compares blood pressure in the patient's arm to blood pressure in his or her ankle. Also, a Doppler or Duplex ultrasound measures blood flow within blood vessels and locates blocked arteries.

Treatment

Angioplasty and stenting are surgeries to treat peripheral arterial disease. The vascular surgeon uses a slender bendable tube (catheter) to create a hole in the artery to speed up blood flow. A balloon angioplasty, stent and atherectomy are different types of surgical procedures that are used to increase blood flow. An atherectomy is a procedure whereby Dr Botha or Dr Shone remove built-up plaque that's inside the artery.

Vascular surgeons may also perform bypass surgery to promote blood circulation. Dr Botha and Dr Shone use a vessel from another region of the body to construct a bypass for blood to circulate around the blocked artery.

"A sound knowledge of pathology is the only safe guide for the hands of a Surgeon, no matter how skilled those hands may be. Indeed, the more skillful they are, the more dangerous they may become without this lantern to light the way. Unless he builds on that solid foundation, the Surgeon may be no better than a hewer of flesh and a drawer of blood"

- Boyd