Hi. My name is Sandra Newell. I’m a thirty-five-year-old professional. I’m telling you that I’m a professional because that will explain why I spent a good portion of my waking hours in shoes with high heels. I never wore extremely high heels, but did frequently wear those that were three inches high. That was until I developed horrible heel pain. My doctor heard me out and then sent me to a podiatrist. As it happened, I had a number of things going against me. I was wearing shoes that were too tight, too high, and didn't have any arch support. Moreover, I shouldn't leave out the fact that I wore pointy toed shoes that left me with a few ingrown toenails every year. I’m going to share what my podiatrist has done for me, and how he helped educate me in the art of wearing comfy, yet stylish shoes.
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Peripheral artery disease is atherosclerosis that affects your legs and feet. PAD is caused by plaque buildup that narrows your arteries and restricts blood flow to your feet. This can lead to a number of foot problems, so it's important to see a foot specialist regularly when you've been diagnosed with peripheral artery disease. Here are symptoms of PAD, how your foot specialist can diagnose the condition, and the care your feet might need.
Signs Of Peripheral Artery Disease In Your Feet
When PAD reduces blood flow to your feet, you might have foot pain, especially after walking. The decreased blood circulation might also cause changes in your skin texture and skin color. If you get a foot injury, it's easier to get infections, but it can take longer for your injury and the infection to heal.
Your foot specialist might tell by looking if you have PAD, but they'll probably perform some tests to see how bad your condition is. They can do that by feeling for your pulse in your feet, using an ultrasound to listen for a pulse, and taking your blood pressure in your leg and comparing it to the pressure in your arm.
Treatment You Might Need From A Foot Specialist
You'll need to work closely with your medical doctor for treatment of your peripheral artery disease because there's a good chance you could have coronary artery disease too. Your doctor might want to start you on medication that prevents blood clots, controls your blood sugar, or decreases your blood pressure.
You may also want to see a foot specialist on the schedule recommended by your foot doctor so they can monitor and care for your feet. The specialist might want to trim your toenails so you don't have to do it yourself and risk an injury. They may also look your feet over for signs of injuries and teach you how to monitor your feet and care for them.
If you develop an ulcer, cut, infection, or injury, call your foot specialist right away to begin treatment. You might need medication or wound care to keep the problem from getting worse. In severe cases of PAD, amputation may be needed.
Lifestyle Changes You May Need To Make
Your medical doctor and foot specialist may talk to you about lifestyle changes that might help your condition. These changes might include stopping smoking, stopping alcohol consumption, losing weight, eating a healthy diet, getting more exercise, and controlling other health problems such as diabetes and hypertension.
Contact a foot specialist for more information.
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