Knowing About Peripheral Arterial Disease Can Help Save Life and Limb

Amputation isn’t a subject that anyone likes to mention. And that’s unfortunate, because Putnam County Podiatrist Dr. Alan Berman believes the more people learn about conditions that may lead to amputation, the less frequent these devastating procedures will become. In fact, Dr. Berman maintains that of the 64,000 amputations that happen each year, up to 80 percent could easily be prevented. As a podiatrist (foot specialist), he helps diagnose, treat, and sometimes prevent conditions that can lead to foot pain and even amputation. One such condition that could lead to amputation is PA D. Here’s why it’s important to see a podiatrist if you have or believe you are at risk for PAD .

About PAD

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD ) affects 8 to 12 million Americans. One in every five people over the age of 70 has the disease. It is a common, vet serious disease. Men are more likely to have symptoms of PAD, but both men and women can develop the disease. PAD can impair physical health and diminish the ability to walk.

What is PAD?

“Atherosclerosis,” or hardening of the arteries, causes arteries to narrow or become blocked. When atherosclerosis affects the arteries of the heart it is called coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD can cause a heart attack. If atherosclerosis is in the limbs it is called peripheral arterial disease (PAD). PAD can cause gangrene and lead to amputation.

PAD most commonly affects blood flow to the legs, leading to pain and numbness. It also can increase the chance of getting an infection while decreasing the ability to fight it. In the advanced stages of PAD, known as critical limb ischemia (CLI) blood flow is blocked and legs are not receiving the oxygen or nutrition they need for cellular or tissue growth and repair. This can cause painful legs and foot sores. Eventually it can lead to gangrene. Then, if left untreated, the foot or leg may need to be amputated.

Who’s at risk? PAD affects both women and men, and can strike adults of any age. However, the risk of PAD is increased in those over the age of 50, particularly in those who are obese, smoke or have smoked; have diabetes, high blood pressure, or abnormal cholesterol; are of African American ethnicity; or have a personal history of heart disease or stroke.

PAD Warning Signs

PAD symptoms may include fatigue; cramping or pain in your legs, thighs, or buttocks that always occurs when you walk but that goes away when you rest; foot or toe pain while idle that often disturbs your sleep; and skin wounds or ulcers on your feet or toes that are slow to heal (or that do not heal for 8 to 12 weeks).

“Many individuals with PAD do not experience typical leg symptoms,” remarks Dr. Berman. “That’s why those at risk should undergo screening for PAD,” he adds.

Diagnosis

Dr. Berman performs a simple test called ankle-brachial index (ABI). It compares the blood pressure in your ankles with the blood pressure in your arm. If your ABI is abnormal yet your feet are symptomatic of PAD, your podiatric physician may order other tests to determine the extent of your PAD. There are numerous treatments and surgeries available to correct PAD. The key is to diagnose it in its earliest stages.

Did you know?

Dr. Alan Berman has recently joined the Peripheral Arterial Disease Coalition’s PAD Education Network, a national program that aims to improve the early detection and proper treatment of PAD. The Network’s goal is to increase awareness of PAD and improve treatment outcomes through the education of health professionals, patients and the community.

“By informing at-risk individuals and helping our PAD patients properly manage their disease, we can reduce the devastating consequences of PAD, including heart attack, stroke, and amputation,” Dr. Berman comments.

For more information on Dr. Berman’s podiatry practice visit putnamfootdoc. com or call 845-628-4420. For more information on PAD, visit PADcoalition. org or about PAD.org.