Posts for tag: highland rim foot pain
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) can strongly affect your foot and ankle health.
Podiatric Physicians and Surgeons like Dr. Superstein and Dr. Bouldin, can help with detection and treatment of these complications. The most common presenting problem they see is ulcers and wounds on the feet and ankles that have trouble healing.
In patients with this condition, the legs and feet do not receive enough blood since the arteries are narrowed. The arteries may be narrowed due to a buildup of plaque along their sides.
The hallmark symptom of peripheral artery disease is “intermittent claudication” or calf cramps when walking. The pain usually goes away when the activity stops but comes back again upon the start of walking. Other symptoms are leg numbness and weakness, cold feet and legs, color changes in the skin of legs and feet, and shiny skin on the legs. Other signs of PAD seen on the feet are hair loss, slow hair growth, slower toenail growth, and weak or absent pulses.
If a non-healing ulcer on the foot is associated with PAD, it is called an arterial ulcer. They can occur anywhere on the foot. The skin is weakened and not as healthy due to the decreased blood flow to it, it becomes more vulnerable to injury and open wounds. The healing ability of such a wound is also decreased - also a result of the lessened blood flow to it. These ulcers are usually painful to the touch. The edges of the wound can appear sharp and punched out. The limb is at greater risk of developing gangrene at this point as well. Gangrene means the tissue has died because of the lack of blood flow.
In treating this condition, your Podiatric Physician may use various tests to determine the amount of blood flow to the area. It is important to know the extent of the blockage, because that will determine how difficult it will be for the wound to heal. Your Doctor will provide treatments for the wound to help fight and prevent infection.
Risk factors for developing PAD in the feet are smoking, diabetes, obesity, family history, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Be sure and check the feet for any signs of skin, hair, or nail changes, and see a podiatrist if any wounds appear to not be healing.
Dr. Superstein and Dr. Bouldin, with offices in Manchester, TN, and Tullahoma, TN, are your foot and ankle, Podiatric Medical specialists.