Leg pain can be a frustrating experience, striking suddenly or creeping in gradually. It can be a dull ache or a sharp stab, localized in one spot or radiating throughout your leg. While sometimes fleeting, leg pain can also significantly impact your ability to walk.
What Causes Leg Pain?
The good news is, leg pain itself isn't necessarily a cause for alarm. It's often a symptom of something else going on in your body. Common culprits include:
Simple Solutions vs. Seeking Expert Help
While some leg pain may respond well to simple at-home remedies like rest, ice, and pain medication, it's important to know when to seek professional help. Here are some signs you should see a vascular expert:
Vascular Experts: Your Partners in Leg Pain Relief
Don't suffer in silence with leg pain. A vascular expert can help diagnose the underlying cause and recommend the most effective treatment plan to get you back on your feet pain-free. Let us put your mind and leg at ease – contact us today to schedule an appointment.
Whether a patient needs peritoneal dialysis (PD) or hemodialysis (HD), our vascular surgeons play an integral role in creating the necessary access points for these procedures and maintaining the access. They also remain responsible for addressing any complications that may arise, such as clotting, stenosis, or infections.
Our skilled, experienced vascular surgeons perform the surgical procedures required to establish dialysis access and provide a reliable entry point for the blood to get removed, filtered, and returned to the body. Furthermore, our vascular surgeons ensure that access, including an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) or arteriovenous graft (AVG), remains patent and functional.
Symptoms of complications affecting AVF access may include:
If complications arise, our vascular surgeons recommend and perform procedures like angioplasty, stenting, or surgical revisions to restore a patent and functional access.
About peritoneal dialysis
Peritoneal dialysis is a type of dialysis treatment that utilizes the peritoneal membrane, a semi-permeable membrane that lines the abdominal cavity, as a natural filter. During PD, a sterile solution called dialysate gets introduced into the peritoneal cavity through a catheter. The dialysate absorbs waste products, excess water, and toxins from the bloodstream through the peritoneal membrane. After a dwell time, the dialysate is drained from the body, carrying the waste products along with it.
When wounds fail to heal properly due to underlying vascular issues, it’s essential to contact our office for care.
The following list contains several symptoms and warning signs that may indicate the need for an assessment and intervention by our skilled, professional team:
Diagnosis and care
In all cases, our professional team will evaluate the underlying cause and determine the best course of treatment. Our vascular surgeons work closely with other healthcare professionals, such as wound care specialists, to ensure comprehensive and coordinated care for patients with leg and foot wounds.
If you experience persistent or recurrent episodes of blurred vision, tingling, or numbness in the face, and a stroke has been ruled out, contact our office. These symptoms can sometimes indicate carotid artery disease or other vascular conditions affecting the blood flow to the brain and facial areas.
Carotid Artery Disease
The carotid arteries are the main blood vessels that supply oxygenated blood to the brain. If these arteries become narrowed or blocked due to the buildup of plaque (a condition known as carotid artery stenosis), it can lead to reduced blood flow and oxygen supply to the brain and facial regions, with symptoms like blurred vision, tingling, or numbness in the face.
Other vascular disorders
It’s also worth noting these symptoms can also arise from other vascular disorders, such as vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels) or certain connective tissue diseases that can affect blood vessels.
Skilled diagnostics and care
Our office will perform diagnostic tests, such as a vascular ultrasound, to evaluate the condition of your carotid arteries and other blood vessels supplying the brain and facial areas.
Depending on the underlying cause, treatment options may include lifestyle modifications, medication, or surgical interventions like carotid endarterectomy or carotid artery stenting to improve blood flow and prevent potential complications like stroke or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs).
In all cases, early diagnosis and appropriate management by our vascular specialists are crucial in preventing further complications and ensuring optimal outcomes.
Numbness, tingling, and pain in the legs can often be traced back to vascular issues that restrict blood flow. Peripheral artery disease (PAD), a buildup of plaque in the arteries, is a common culprit. Other potential vascular causes include blood clots, aneurysms, and vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels). Without adequate blood circulation, the legs don't receive enough oxygen and nutrients, leading to nerve damage and symptoms.
Symptoms of Vascular Leg Issues
At Vascular Care Specialists, we provide expert care to diagnose and treat vascular system disorders. Our goal is to improve blood flow to the legs and alleviate the numbness, tingling, and other symptoms caused by vascular issues.
If you experience persistent abdominal or back pain, it's crucial to seek medical attention promptly.
Vascular conditions causing ongoing abdominal/back pain may include:
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Persistent abdominal or back pain can be a symptom of an abdominal aortic aneurysm, a potentially life-threatening condition in which the aorta, the main blood vessel carrying blood from the heart, becomes enlarged and weakened. Other symptoms may include a pulsating sensation in the abdomen, nausea, and shortness of breath. Left untreated, an abdominal aortic aneurysm can rupture, causing internal bleeding and possibly death.
Peripheral Artery Disease
Cramping pain in the legs, buttocks, or lower back, especially when walking or exercising, could be a sign of peripheral artery disease (PAD). This condition occurs when the arteries supplying blood to the legs and other extremities become narrowed or blocked, reducing blood flow. In addition to pain, PAD symptoms may include numbness, weakness, and skin discoloration in the affected limbs.
Renal Artery Stenosis
Ongoing abdominal or flank pain, coupled with high blood pressure, could indicate renal artery stenosis, a narrowing of the arteries supplying blood to the kidneys. This condition can lead to kidney damage or failure if left untreated. Other symptoms may include fatigue, loss of appetite, and fluid retention.
Skilled diagnostics and careAs experienced specialists, our vascular surgeons will provide a comprehensive assessment and perform diagnostic tests, such as ultrasound, CT scans, or angiograms, to identify your underlying vascular condition and recommend/perform the appropriate treatment, including minimally invasive procedures or surgery to repair or bypass the affected blood vessels.
Bulging veins, also known as varicose veins, can be a painful and unsightly condition affecting many people. These veins become enlarged, twisted, and protruding, often caused by increased pressure or weakened vein walls. Varicose veins can occur in various parts of the body, but they are commonly found in the legs and feet.
Some common symptoms associated with bulging veins include:
Remember, it’s essential to contact our office if you experience any of these symptoms. Bulging veins can lead to more serious complications if left untreated.
Pelvic pain is often associated with gynecological conditions, but it can also arise from vascular disorders affecting the blood vessels supplying the pelvic region. These vascular conditions may not be immediately apparent, and their symptoms can mimic other pelvic disorders— making proper diagnosis crucial.
Symptoms of Vascular Pelvic Pain
The symptoms of vascular pelvic pain can be varied and non-specific. Some common indicators include:
When pelvic pain is suspected to be vascular in nature, our professional team’s involvement may include:
