Peripheral Artery Disease Specialist

Midwest Institute for Non-Surgical Therapy

Vascular and Endovascular Specialist located in St. Louis, MO; Evergreen Park, IL; Chicago, IL; Swansea, IL.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a progressive condition that gradually restricts blood flow through the artery. When PAD goes untreated and reaches an advanced stage, you’re at risk of lower limb amputation. Goke Akinwande, MD, at Midwest Institute for Non-surgical Therapy (MINT) specializes in PAD screening, state-of-the-art endovascular treatments, and amputation prevention. MINT is proud to be St. Louis’ first dedicated amputation prevention center. To schedule a free vascular screening, call one of our offices in St. Louis, MO and Swansea, IL or use online booking today.

Peripheral Artery Disease Q&A

What causes Peripheral Artery Disease?

PAD is caused by atherosclerosis, a buildup of cholesterol and other fats in the artery wall. This fatty buildup, called plaque, gradually enlarges and hardens. As a result, blood flow through the artery is progressively blocked.

Peripheral Artery Disease develops in arteries that carry blood from your heart to your limbs, and it most often affects your legs.

What symptoms develop if I have Peripheral Artery Disease?

Symptoms don’t begin until the blood flow is significantly blocked, and then you may experience:

Leg pain, aching, or cramping when walking that feels better when you rest
Leg weakness or numbness
Tingling sensations in your foot
One foot that feels colder than the other
Lack of hair or toenail growth on the affected leg
Shiny skin on the affected leg
Pale, discolored, or blue-colored leg or foot
Pain while resting (in severe PAD)
Ulcers on your lower legs, feet, and/or toes

Arterial ulcers don’t heal on their own. They need immediate advanced wound care at MINT to prevent them from enlarging and causing infections and gangrene.

How does PAD lead to amputation?

When atherosclerotic plaque blocks the artery, your muscles, skin, and other tissues don’t get enough blood. Without blood, tissues are deprived of the oxygen and nutrients they need to survive.

At an advanced stage, PAD severely restricts or stops the flow of blood. This condition, called critical limb ischemia, leads to tissue death, gangrene, and in many cases, amputation.

How is Peripheral Artery Disease treated?

The team at MINT performs diagnostic imaging, such as duplex ultrasound, to evaluate your arteries and determine the extent of the blockage.

If your PAD is caught at an early stage, you may only need to make lifestyle changes to improve blood flow.

When the disease has reached an advanced stage, you may need a minimally invasive procedure to remove the blockage and restore circulation.

The team at MINT performs state-of-the-art procedures in the office under mild sedation. Your provider does minimally invasive procedures using real-time imaging to guide a catheter through your artery to the blockage. All procedures only require a small pinhole incision!

The treatments for Peripheral Artery Disease include:

Balloon angioplasty

Once the catheter is at the blockage, your provider inflates a balloon. The balloon flattens the plaque against the arterial wall, which restores circulation.

Atherectomy

During an atherectomy, your provider uses a device that cuts out or grinds away the plaque. MINT ensures your safety by using the most advanced atherectomy devices.

Stenting

In some cases, your provider places a stent — a small, mesh tube — in the artery after removing the plaque. The stent stays in place and holds the artery open.

What is amputation prevention?

Amputation prevention refers to taking early and aggressive steps to heal and preserve your lower leg, foot, and toes. This program begins with vascular screening to assess your risk and diagnose PAD at the earliest possible stage.

To learn more about the screening and treatment of PAD, call Midwest Institute for Non-surgical Therapy or book an appointment online today.