If your legs aren’t what they used to be, don’t just brush it off as a “normal” sign of aging. Leg pain and other symptoms could indicate that you have peripheral artery disease (PAD )— a type of atherosclerosis (i.e., narrowed arteries) that affects the lower limbs.
About 10 million women and men in the United States over the age of 40 have PAD. While 6 of 10 people with PAD experience leg pain, 4 don’t. In fact, if you have pain, you may be luckier than those who don’t, because you can get your leg pain checked out and, if you have PAD, start treatment as soon as possible.
Our blood-vessel expert and surgeon, Jon-Cecil Walkes, MD, takes your vein and artery health seriously. At Texas Heart and Vein Multispecialty Group, he and our team recommend that you don’t ignore leg pain and, instead, come for an evaluation at our Houston, Texas-area offices.
What are 5 signs that your leg pain warrants a trip to a vein specialist? Here they are:
A key sign of PAD is pain that starts when you exercise and is relieved when you stop. In fact, even taking a leisurely stroll might make your legs ache. This type of leg pain is called claudication.
If you have PAD, the arteries in your leg are too narrow to circulate blood efficiently. Your heart has to work extra hard to pump blood through your legs. And, since your muscles aren’t getting sufficient blood and oxygen to do their job, they ache and cramp.
You may feel pain or discomfort in your legs. Or, you could feel it in your buttocks or hips.
Reduced blood flow to your legs may affect the way your legs look. The hair on your legs may start to fall out. Insufficient blood flow means that the follicles on your legs don’t receive enough nutrients to support hair growth.
You might also notice that the skin on your legs looks shiny and maybe even swollen. Eventually, due to lack of blood circulation to the area, you could develop ulcers on your skin that have trouble healing.
When you have PAD, another area that may be affected is your arms. You may experience cramping in your legs, arms, or both.
For instance, your arms and hands may cramp or ache when you try to write. Or, if you have a manual hobby, such as knitting, painting, or playing an instrument, this activity may cause cramping.
Without robust blood flow, your limbs can’t produce normal levels of body heat. If your leg skin feels cool to the touch, it could be a sign that you have PAD. This may be especially true if you notice that one foot or leg feels cooler than the other.
A final sign that atherosclerosis is putting your legs at risk is a weak pulse in your legs or feet. How can you check the pulse in your legs? There's a specific area behind your knee where you can check your popliteal pulse.
The popliteal artery is located behind your knee cap and supplies most of the blood to your lower leg. If you can’t find a pulse there (it can be difficult to locate, especially if you push too hard), try checking between your big toe and second toe.
If you can’t find a pulse there either, don’t panic. Pedal (i.e., foot) pulses are difficult to locate, even for a professional. But if you have leg pain and can’t find a pulse, or if your pulse is weak, give us a call.
Do you have unexplained leg pain that may be related to PAD or another vein condition? Phone us today at our office nearest you or schedule an appointment online for a diagnosis and treatment today.
We have two Houston offices and another in Kingwood that service Greater Heights, Pearland Market, League City, Lake Jackson, Manvel, Rosharen, Alvin, Fresno, Missouri City, Arcola, Friendswood, South Houston, Kingwood Market, Humble, New Chaney, Atasciacita, and Northeast Houston, Texas.
