Peripheral artery disease also known as Peripheral
arterial disease is caused when fatty deposits are formed inside the walls of
arteries. As a result, arteries carrying blood to peripherals are narrowed. Due
to this narrowing, the flow of blood, oxygen and glucose to peripherals is reduced.
This reduced blood flow causes numbness, weakness, coldness and discoloration of
legs, pain in hips or thigh muscle and sores that heal slowly or do not heal. Apart
from this, slow nail growth and weak or no pulse in legs or feet are other symptoms
of this disease. Erectile dysfunction is common in men suffering from both diabetes
and peripheral arterial disease.
Treatments
Atherectomy:
In this treatment, a thin device is inserted gently
into arteries for the removal of build-up and widening of arteries to improve
the flow of blood. With improved blood flow, pain in legs and feet is reduced,
sores can be minimized or cured and amputation can be avoided.
Stenting:
A stent or tiny wire mesh tube is placed inside an artery
to create rigid support in an artery weakened due to years of build-up. This stent
is coated with medicine to avoid narrowing of the artery in the future.
