Leg Numbness: A Sign of Peripheral Artery Disease
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a result of a buildup of plaque in the arteries, leading to decreased blood flow throughout the body and poor circulation. In some cases, PAD has no symptoms, but in others, symptoms may cause daily discomfort and give patients an idea that something is wrong. One such symptom is leg numbness, which may occur when the legs are at rest.
Leg numbness may occur as a sign of PAD, accompanied by leg cramping, pallor or bluish discoloration in the feet and toes, weak pulse in the legs or feet, and slow brittle toenail growth. Proper diagnosis and treatment of PAD as early as possible are crucial in avoiding complications and helping relieve symptoms.
Symptoms of Leg Numbness
Leg numbness often feels like a tingling sensation, such as “pins and needles,” in the legs. You may not be able to feel a light touch or pain on a numb leg, which may make it harder to be aware of sores or an injury. If you have PAD, the arteries that supply blood flow to your legs become narrowed by plaque, and the feet do not receive enough blood and oxygen. Symptoms are often worse when legs are elevated, such as in bed, when gravity can no longer help deliver blood flow to the feet. Leg numbness from PAD may be associated with other symptoms that include:
- Pain or cramping in the calves when walking
- New wounds (sores) or poor healing of wounds in the legs and feet
- Dry and sometimes scaly skin in the legs
- Slow and brittle toenail growth
- Atrophy or loss of muscle size in the affected leg(s)
Causes of Leg Numbness
If you have leg numbness and are concerned about PAD, you should consult your doctor or see a specialist at American Endovascular. There are many other medical conditions that can cause numbness and it is important to identify the cause. This is especially true since PAD may put patients at risk for amputations, heart attacks, and strokes, making early diagnosis important. Other causes of leg numbness include:
- Peripheral arterial disease
- Poor posture
- Diabetes
- Sciatica (nerve pain)
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Multiple sclerosis
- Stroke
Find out if you are at risk for Peripheral Artery Disease.
How Does PAD Cause Leg Numbness?
Peripheral arterial disease causes leg numbness because of poor circulation and blockage of arteries. When blood flow to the legs is severely reduced, there is inadequate delivery of oxygen for normal function. Symptoms can include leg pain during walking or when the legs are elevated, numbness, tingling, wounds, sores, or discoloration of the skin.
PAD is a serious and possibly progressive condition, and numbness associated with PAD is a sign of severe PAD requiring immediate consultation with a physician, to avoid the risk of amputation as well as heart attack and stroke.
Treatment for PAD-Related Leg Numbness
The symptoms associated with PAD can be disruptive to everyday life. They also serve as a warning that PAD may be worsening and that proper diagnosis and treatment are needed so you can continue to live a healthy life. American Endovascular provides several innovative and minimally-invasive treatment methods for this condition at our vascular centers in New Jersey and New York.
Amputation Prevention
Our vascular care specialists at American Endovascular are experienced in helping prevent limb amputation for patients with PAD and other vascular conditions. Using advanced techniques and technologies such as pedal loop intervention, we are able to work with patients to prevent amputation and support limb salvage and preservation.
Angioplasty
During an angioplasty procedure, a low-profile catheter with an inflatable balloon is inserted to stretch the affected artery open. By opening up the clogged artery, blood and oxygen flow can be restored to the body’s muscles and tissues.
Atherectomy
Atherectomy procedures have evolved over the years, with cutting-edge advances including orbital, rotational, and diamond-coated surface technology as well as a laser to remove or modify plaque from a clogged blood vessel. This process is particularly useful for treating arteries or blood vessels that cannot be treated with stents.
Stent Placement
A stent is a type of metallic-based implantable device that is inserted into an artery to provide a new skeletal framework. This helps strengthen the walls of the artery and keep it open. Some stents even have drug-eluting properties to prevent blood clotting and increase longevity.
What to Expect from Your PAD Treatment
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Our Vascular Specialists
At American Endovascular, we are proud to be affiliated with a team of endovascular specialists in New York and New Jersey that are among the “best of the best.” The members of our team are recognized as innovators and leaders in endovascular care and interventional radiology, making all the difference for patients with PAD.
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