Peripheral Arterial Disease
Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is a circulatory condition that results in restricted blood flow to the limbs, especially the legs, and can cause painful muscle cramping in the hips, thighs, and buttocks.
If left untreated, PAD can have serious consequences such as amputation. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can help patients to avoid surgery and amputation.
In order to provide you with the best treatment possible, MINT uses state-of-the-art testing methods to accurately diagnose the extent of PAD.
Symptoms:
PAD can be hard to diagnose because it does not always yield symptoms and because many people affected with PAD believe the symptoms are caused by other factors. Some common symptoms of PAD include:
- Leg pain that wakes you up at night
- Muscle cramping in your calves, thighs, or hips while walking, exercising, or climbing stairs
- Lingering leg pain, even after the activity has ceased
- Foot or toe wounds that do not heal quickly or at all
- Decrease in temperature in the lower leg or foot
- Slow toenail and hair growth on the feet and legs
Who Is At Risk For PAD?
The process of fatty deposits building up in the arterial walls causing restricted blood flow, is largely determined by genetics and lifestyle. Some common risk factors are:
- Smoking cigarettes: Smokers have four times the risk of developing PAD
- Diabetes: Diabetes increases the risk of developing PAD
- High Blood Pressure: High blood pressure increases the risk of developing PAD
- High Cholesterol: High cholesterol, or fat, levels in the blood is a direct cause of PAD
- Obesity: Individuals with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 or higher have a higher risk of developing PAD
- Physical Inactivity: Physical activity can help to alleviate symptoms of PAD
Testing For PAD
At our MINT Institutes in St. Louis, MO and Swansea IL we offer immediate, painless PAD testing that is covered by insurance including Medicaid and Medicare. Using the latest technology, your doctor will determine whether there is a blockage and whether your PAD simply needs lifestyle changes or further treatment. Untreated cases of PAD can have serious consequences and if you are at risk for PAD, we encourage you to come in for an evaluation.
Treatments for PAD
The MINT Institute offers a variety of state-of-the-art, minimally invasive procedures to treat PAD. All procedures are performed in-house under mild sedation. Treatment options will be based upon individual cases, and your doctor will assist you in determining the best treatment option. the MINT Institute ensures that all patients will receive the latest, safest, and least-invasive treatment.
Balloon Angioplasty
Being considered the gold standard of treatment for PAD, balloon angioplasty works by inflating a balloon in the artery, flattening plaque against the walls, and effectively restoring blood flow.
Atherectomy
Atherectomy is a recently developed treatment option that uses a small device to cut out the plaque, removing the source of the blockage. MINT Institute utilizes the most advanced and controllable atherectomy devices available.
Stenting
Stents are only used when necessary for certain patients and utilize small metal tubes inserted into the artery to hold them open. After the initial procedure, blood thinners will need to be taken to maintain adequate circulation.
