Diseases that affect blood vessels can cause pain and increase your risk for serious health concerns, like stroke. Fortunately, expert treatment is available right here on our Brunswick Campus. The board-certified, fellowship-trained surgeons at Southeast Georgia Physician Associates-General & Vascular Surgery can effectively treat a variety of blood vessel issues using minimally invasive and traditional open surgical techniques.
Specialty help for complex vascular conditions
Our vascular surgeons take the time to perform a comprehensive evaluation and develop a treatment plan that’s right for you. Our team is also here to provide ongoing management after surgery, as needed.
Conditions we treat include:
Reviewed 2/27/2023
5 warning signs of peripheral artery disease
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a circulation problem that can cause you to have trouble walking or even raise your risk of limb loss. The good news? If you have PAD, treatment and healthy changes can help you manage your symptoms and avoid serious complications.
Scroll on to learn about five key warning signs of PAD. You should tell your doctor if you notice any of them.
1. LEG PAIN WHILE MOVING
The most common PAD symptom is leg pain that starts during exercise—such as walking or climbing stairs—and stops after you rest. It can feel like aching, heaviness or cramping. Unlike arthritis, the pain occurs in the calf, thigh, hip or foot muscles—not in the joints.
In severe cases, you may feel this pain at rest too.
2. POOR WOUND HEALING
Poor circulation in your legs and feet can cause cuts, scrapes and sores on your legs and feet to heal slowly. Some wounds may not heal at all, which makes them more likely to get infected.
3. POOR NAIL OR HAIR GROWTH
People with PAD may lose the hair on their legs. And their toenails may stop growing.
4. A COLD OR DISCOLORED FOOT
Reduced blood flow can cause one foot to feel colder to the touch than the other. It may also look paler than usual.
Warning: You should seek medical help right away if you suddenly can't feel or move a foot that is cold, blue or pale. These can be signs of a medical emergency.
5. NUMBNESS OR WEAKNESS
PAD can cause weakness, numbness, or a "pins and needles" sensation in a foot or leg. This could cause you to lose your balance when you walk.
ARE YOU AT RISK? You could have PAD even if you don't have any of these symptoms. Find out if you're at risk.
Sources
- American Heart Association. "Symptoms of PAD." https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/peripheral-artery-disease/symptoms-of-pad.
- National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. "What is Peripheral Artery Disease?" https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/peripheral-artery-disease.
Aortic aneurysm. If you have a life-threatening bulge (aneurysm) in the aorta, we can permanently repair the area. In addition to traditional open surgery, we also offer less-invasive, endovascular stent placement. This approach promises less downtime and fewer complications.
Carotid occlusive disease. This disease occurs when the carotid artery in the neck becomes narrowed, which increases the risk of stroke. Treatments we offer include endarterectomy surgery to remove the inner lining of the artery along with any obstructions, and minimally invasive transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) surgery to eliminate blockages and implant a stent to improve blood flow.
Lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD). We use diagnostic angiography (an X-ray that shows blood flow problem areas) to determine the best treatment for this painful condition. Treatments may include a surgical bypass or placing stents using a minimally invasive balloon angioplasty procedure.
Varicose vein surgery. Surgery can eliminate the pain, swelling, burning, achiness and other discomfort of inflamed, twisted veins in your leg.
Dialysis access surgery. For kidney failure patients, this surgery establishes a connection to the bloodstream so the kidney dialysis equipment can function.
Expert vascular care, close to home
If you need care for a vascular condition or want more information, contact us at 912-265-5125. While we don’t require referrals, it’s best to check if your insurance does.