Prevent Complications with Peripheral Arterial Disease
This Saturday is Surprise S
afety Day! This event will begin at 8:00am and take place at the Aquatic Center. You will be taught CPR skills, bike safety, and more. Not included will be how to take care of your feet when you have peripheral arterial disease. This is where we step in! PAD has many possible complications, including foot ulcers and limb ischaemia, so it’s important to keep your feet safe.
Peripheral arterial disease, or PAD, is a circulatory condition that affects the limbs. Your arteries become narrower due to plaque buildup. It’s a dangerous disease in and of itself because it can lead to a heart attack or stroke, but there are other side effects that can also pose a threat to your health.
- Critical limb ischaemia (CLI): This greatly reduces the amount of blood flow that your feet and legs receive. If you experience shiny skin, wounds that don’t heal, loss of muscle mass, cold limbs, or burning or pain in your legs that continues even while you are at rest, you may have CLI. It’s important to get treatment as quickly as possible. If you don’t, it could result in a necessary amputation.
- Ulcers: An ulcer is an open wound that resembles a crater. It can be shallow or very deep (even affecting tendons or bones). They are very difficult to treat and can take a long time to heal. This is even truer for people with reduced blood flow to their limbs. Left untreated, they can become infected and potentially result in gangrene. When this happens the only option left is to amputate the limb. If you have PAD—especially if it’s accompanied by diabetes—check your feet daily to make sure there are no ulcers.
If you have questions about the potential complications that may arise from having PAD, call our Surprise, AZ practice at (623) 584-5556 and schedule an appointment at Fixing Feet Institute today.
