Peripheral arterial disease, or (PAD) develops when arteries become completely or partially blocked with plaque deposits that limit blood flow to legs. Just like clogged arteries in the heart, clogged arteries in the legs increase the risk of heart attack, stroke or even death.
Atherosclerosis (plaque buildup) in the legs does not always cause symptoms, so many people can have PAD and not know it. People who do experience symptoms, such as pain or cramping in the legs, often do not report them, believing they are a natural part of aging or due to another cause. PAD affects more than 12 million people in the United States which is why September is recognized as PAD Awareness Month.
As with most things, early detection can help to offset many of the long-term effects of PAD. Contact your Primary Care Provider if you notice pain in your legs at rest, pain that awakens you during the night, a cut, sore or another wound that is slow to heal, a burning sensation in your lower legs when you walk, or if you feel for some other reason you have “poor circulation”.
Patients with PAD and wounds that don’t heal after 30 days often need the services provided by the Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine Center at Speare Memorial Hospital. Nearly 96% of wounds are healed at our center and we have a 98% patient satisfaction rate. A program specifically tailored to your needs will be initiated based on the most effective treatment options. An interdisciplinary approach will be used to provide the maximum healing possible.
Specialized wound care is usually administered on an outpatient basis. Patients are free to drive themselves to the Center for therapy, and you should plan two-and-a-half to three hours for each visit. Click here for more information or to make an appointment call 603-481-8780.
