Peripheral Artery Disease Lower Extremity Testing near Milwaukee
Wisconsin Foot Specialists Diagnose and Treat PAD
Calf leg pain, man holding sore and painful muscle, sprain or cramp ache filled with red ping bright place. Person injured when exercising or running
Our Milwaukee foot experts provide lower extremity testing for peripheral artery disease. Peripheral artery disease (also known as PAD, peripheral vascular disease, or PVD) is when plaque accumulates in the arteries leading to the arms, head, stomach, and (most commonly) legs. This causes the arteries to narrow and limits the flow of blood and oxygen to your extremities. People with PAD often experience muscle cramps or fatigue in their calf, thigh, hip, or other leg muscles when they exercise, walk, or use stairs. While the pain usually recedes with rest, it returns with activity.
Some risk factors (such as age and family history of PAD) are out of your control. Others, such as diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, can be managed to reduce your level of risk. The risk factors you can control include:
- Cigarette smoking (quit smoking)
- Obesity (lose weight)
- Sedentary lifestyle (get active)
Reducing your risk for peripheral artery disease also reduces your risk for related conditions like heart disease and stroke.
Our peripheral artery disease lower extremity testing may include ankle-brachial index (ABI) to compare the blood pressure in your feet and ankles to that of your arms. Other testing options include Doppler and ultrasound image, CT scan, MRA, and angiogram. Schedule an appointment with our Milwaukee podiatrists to discuss your condition and be tested.