How to Treat PAD: The Innovative Procedures Used by Our Radiologists
Your health. Our experts.
How our Vascular and Interventional Radiologists use innovative procedures to treat PAD.
It affects more than eight million Americans.
It can cause pain, difficulty walking and sores that won’t heal.
It’s Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) and, if left untreated, can result in serious complications.
Fortunately, to treat PAD we can use minimally invasive techniques that deliver less risk, pain, and a shorter recovery time than traditional surgery. These advanced procedures are performed by our highly specialized team of Vascular and Interventional Radiologists, who determine which procedure is right for each patient.
But first: a primer on PAD.
What is PAD?
In a nutshell, PAD is the narrowing or blockage of the vessels that carry blood from the heart to the limbs—usually the legs. It’s caused by a buildup of fatty deposits called plaque. PAD can also be a sign of more widespread accumulation of these deposits, which may reduce blood flow to the heart and brain, as well as the legs.
Who has PAD?
One in 20 Americans over the age of 50 has PAD. You may be at risk if you:
- Smoke
- Have high blood pressure
- Are overweight
- Have atherosclerosis
- Have diabetes
- Have high cholesterol
- Are above the age of 50
- Have a family history of PAD or heart disease
How do you know if you have PAD?
Although more than 40% of people who have PAD have no symptoms, there are often signs of this condition.
They include:
- Sores on your toes, feet, or legs that won’t heal
- Pain or cramps in one or both hips, thighs, or calf muscles
- Leg numbness or weakness
- Coldness in your lower leg or foot
- A change in the color of your legs
- Hair loss or slower hair growth on your feet and legs
- Slower growth of your toenails
- Shiny skin on the legs
- Difficulty finding a pulse in the foot or leg
Lifesaving screening. Lifesaving treatment.
PAD is a serious medical condition that, if left untreated, can lead to worsening symptoms, amputation, and higher risk for heart attack, stroke and heart failure. Fortunately, our Vascular and Interventional Radiologists have specialized training and innovative techniques to both screen for and treat PAD.
PAD can be diagnosed with a non-invasive, one-hour vascular test that offers a reliable snapshot of what’s going on in the blood vessels.
If you have PAD, our Vascular and Interventional Radiologists offer the newest minimally invasive techniques to treat this condition. These leading-edge procedures include:
- Angioplasty, a procedure that uses a balloon to open blocked arteries and restore normal blood flow.
- Stent placement, in which a tube-shaped device is placed in the clogged artery to keep it open.
- Atherectomy, a procedure in which the plaque on the wall of an artery is removed using a catheter.
- A stent-graft, which is inserted into the narrowed artery to reinforce the wall and keep it open.
Expert care. Exceptional results.
CORA is the largest, oldest and most respected radiology group in the region, so it’s no surprise that our Vascular and Interventional Radiologists offer unparalleled expertise in procedures like PAD treatment. With minimally invasive treatments, our highly trained physicians provide lifesaving and life-changing results with less pain, risk, and downtime. In fact, most of our PAD patients have outpatient procedures and are able to return to their daily activities within a few days after treatment.
Learn more about PAD, Vascular and Interventional Radiology, and our unwavering focus on you and your health. Call 541-382-6633, extension 155 today.