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Leg Discoloration: A Sign of Peripheral Artery Disease
Leg pain can be caused by countless ailments and injuries. Many people attribute their leg pain to the fact that they are getting older. However, leg pain is the classic symptom of peripheral artery disease (PAD) – a narrowing of the peripheral arteries that are responsible for transporting blood from the heart to other areas of the body. Although many people with PAD do not experience symptoms, it is important to identify symptoms when they are present and take action to prevent the condition from worsening.
PAD can develop throughout someone’s life. Early detection and treatment are crucial so that you can continue living a healthy life. If you are experiencing leg pain that you believe may be caused by peripheral artery disease, we encourage you to schedule an appointment at American Endovascular today.
Symptoms of Leg Discoloration in PAD
Everyone’s exact skin tone and texture are different. With that being said, skin discoloration associated with PAD may look different from one person to the next. It is important to recognize any changes to the skin tone of your legs so you can seek proper treatment. If you feel that the skin on your legs looks abnormal, please contact one of our endovascular centers to schedule an appointment. Symptoms of leg discoloration caused by PAD include:
- Reddish skin
- Purple skin
- Blue skin
- Hyperpigmentation
Causes of Leg Discoloration
Skin discoloration of the legs can have many causes, from both lifestyle habits to medical conditions. If you are concerned about skin discoloration, visiting your doctor is the best next step to determining the cause and seeking the proper treatment. Some of the many causes of skin discoloration of the legs include:
- Peripheral arterial disease
- Chronic venous insufficiency
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Poor Circulation
- Untreated varicose veins
Find out if you are at risk for Peripheral Artery Disease.
How Does PAD Cause Leg Discoloration?
There are a couple of processes that cause PAD to manifest as leg discoloration. The poor circulation associated with PAD leads to the bursting of blood vessels near the surface of the skin, along with arterial ulcers and tissue damage. These issues in the lower extremities can cause the legs to become discolored.
When blood is not properly transported throughout the body, including to the legs, proper nutrients and oxygen are not able to be supplied. This, too, leads to skin discoloration, along with other symptoms like the loss of toenail and leg hair growth. Hyperpigmentation in the legs is another manifestation of insufficient blood and oxygen supply to the lower extremities.
Treatment for Leg Discoloration Caused by PAD
If you are experiencing leg discoloration and other symptoms associated with PAD, you may need personalized treatment to improve your discoloration. Our experts may recommend medication to improve blood circulation or certain lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy weight, regular exercise, and managing conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure to help with symptoms. If there is a severe blockage, your vascular specialist may recommend further treatment. We offer several innovative and minimally-invasive treatments for peripheral artery disease in NY and NJ that can help relieve symptoms, including leg discoloration.
Amputation Prevention
Vascular conditions like PAD, when severe, can lead to the loss of a limb. At American Endovascular, we focus on amputation prevention via our many treatment methods for PAD and other vascular conditions. Using advanced techniques and technologies such as pedal loop intervention, we are able to help save limbs in patients of all ages.
Angioplasty
The primary goal of an angioplasty procedure is to restore blood flow to the clogged artery and increase blood and oxygen flow to the muscles and tissues all over the body. The procedure uses a low-profile catheter with an inflatable balloon that stretches the affected artery open.
Atherectomy
During an atherectomy, plaque is removed from the arteries with a catheter via a minimally-invasive incision. Our team at American Endovascular uses cutting-edge advances when performing atherectomy, including orbital, rotational, and diamond-coated surface technology.
Stent Placement
Stents are a variety of metallic-based implantable devices inserted into the artery to help it remain open. This process provides a new skeletal framework to strengthen the walls of the artery and support blood flow. Some stents may have drug-eluting properties to prevent blood clotting.
What to Expect from Your PAD Treatment
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Our Endovascular Specialists
At American Endovascular, our affiliated endovascular specialists in NY and NJ represent the “best of the best” in endovascular care. The members of our team are nationally recognized as innovators in their field, taking the right steps needed for each unique patient. We are proud to help patients with PAD live healthier and happier lives.
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