The Circulation Problem That Often Goes Unnoticed
Peripheral Artery Disease, or PAD, happens when the arteries that carry blood to your legs and feet become narrowed or blocked — usually by a buildup of plaque. For people with diabetes, PAD is especially common, and especially dangerous, because it slows healing and raises the risk that a small wound becomes a serious one.
Common PAD Symptoms
- Leg pain, cramping, or fatigue that shows up while walking and eases with rest (called claudication)
- Feet that are cold to the touch, even in warm weather
- Skin that looks pale, bluish, or shiny on the legs or feet
- Wounds or sores on the feet or lower legs that heal slowly or not at all
- Weak or absent pulses in the feet
Many people write these symptoms off as “just getting older” or being out of shape. In reality, they’re often the body’s early warning system for a treatable circulation problem.
Why PAD Matters So Much for Diabetics With Foot Wounds
When blood flow is restricted, your body can’t deliver the oxygen and nutrients a wound needs to heal — no matter how well the wound itself is cared for. This is why treating a diabetic foot wound without addressing the circulation behind it often leads to frustration, and in serious cases, to amputation.
How HOPE Amputation Prevention Center Evaluates PAD
Our vascular surgeons perform non-invasive circulation testing to determine whether PAD is present and how severe it is, then work directly alongside our podiatry and wound care team to build one coordinated treatment plan — because a wound and its underlying circulation problem should never be treated separately.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, request a vascular evaluation with HOPE Amputation Prevention Center at (346) 400-4673.