Leg artery blockage means the arteries that carry blood to the leg have become narrowed, usually by atherosclerosis, which can cause leg pain when walking that eases with rest. Leg artery blockage treatment starts with lifestyle changes and medicines chosen by your doctor, and some patients may need a catheter procedure to widen the artery or surgery. Dr. Walid Naser offers diagnosis and treatment in Amman.
Note: If your leg suddenly becomes cold, pale and very painful, or you lose feeling or movement in it, this is an emergency. Go to the emergency department straight away.
Symptoms
Some people have no symptoms at first. Common signs include:
- Pain, cramping or heaviness in the calf, thigh or buttock when walking that eases with rest. Read more in leg pain when walking.
- A foot or leg that feels colder than the other side.
- Numbness or weakness in the leg.
- A weak pulse in the foot when examined.
- Shiny or discoloured skin and hair loss on the leg.
- Sores on the foot or toes that heal slowly.
- Foot pain at rest or at night, which is a sign of more advanced disease.
Causes
The most common cause is atherosclerosis, a build-up of fat and calcium in the artery wall. Risk factors include:
- Smoking in any form.
- Diabetes.
- High blood pressure.
- High cholesterol.
- Older age.
- Heart or brain artery disease, or a family history of artery disease.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis starts with questions about your symptoms and an examination of the pulses and skin of your legs and feet. Your doctor may then request tests to find where the narrowing is and how severe it is.
- Comparing blood pressure at the ankle and the arm (ankle-brachial index, ABI).
- Doppler ultrasound to see blood flow in the arteries.
- CT or MR angiography when needed.
- Angiography with contrast dye, usually when planning treatment.
- Blood tests for sugar, cholesterol and kidney function.
Treatment options
Treatment depends on how severe the symptoms are, where the blockage is and your general health. We start with the simplest option:
No single treatment suits everyone. The choice depends on your examination and imaging, and your doctor will explain the options and the benefits and risks of each.
- Lifestyle changes: stopping smoking, regular walking on a plan set by your doctor, and daily foot care.
- Controlling risk factors with medicines prescribed by your doctor for blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol, and to lower the risk of clots.
- Balloon angioplasty as part of peripheral artery angioplasty, done through a small needle puncture without a skin incision.
- A stent placed inside the artery when needed to help keep it open after widening.
- Open surgery, such as a bypass around the blockage or cleaning plaque out of the artery, in some advanced or long blockages.
What to expect on the day and after
A catheter procedure is usually done under local anaesthetic through a small puncture in the groin or arm. For surgery, the anaesthetic and hospital stay depend on the operation, and your surgeon will explain what to expect in your case.
- A short rest after the procedure while the puncture site or wound is checked.
- A gradual return to walking and activity as advised by your doctor.
- Taking your prescribed medicines and not stopping them without advice.
- Staying smoke-free and keeping blood sugar and blood pressure under control.
- Regular follow-up visits, sometimes with Doppler scans to check the artery.
When to book an appointment
Book an assessment if you notice:
- Leg pain when walking that makes you stop.
- Ongoing coldness or numbness in the foot.
- A foot wound that does not heal, especially if you have diabetes.
- Foot pain at rest or at night.
- Risk factors such as smoking or diabetes together with a weak foot pulse.