If you have a circulation problem that is affecting your health or quality of life, the vascular team at Indiana Regional Medical Center (IRMC) can offer the expert treatment you need right here, close to home.
Our vascular expertise
Vascular surgeons help people with conditions that affect veins and arteries outside the heart and brain, including blocked or narrowed leg, neck, arm or other arteries.
At IRMC, we have the expertise and equipment to diagnose and treat even the most complex vascular problems.
Whenever possible, we manage vascular conditions with medicines. But, if that's not enough to help you, our vascular surgeon can offer you minimally invasive catheter procedures and surgical reconstructions.
If you need vascular surgery, you will be in the very capable hands of a highly trained specialist. Your procedure will be performed by a board-certified vascular surgeon with many years of experience.
Reviewed 2/27/2023
5 warning signs of peripheral artery disease
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a circulation problem that can cause you to have trouble walking or even raise your risk of limb loss. The good news? If you have PAD, treatment and healthy changes can help you manage your symptoms and avoid serious complications.
Scroll on to learn about five key warning signs of PAD. You should tell your doctor if you notice any of them.
1. LEG PAIN WHILE MOVING
The most common PAD symptom is leg pain that starts during exercise—such as walking or climbing stairs—and stops after you rest. It can feel like aching, heaviness or cramping. Unlike arthritis, the pain occurs in the calf, thigh, hip or foot muscles—not in the joints.
In severe cases, you may feel this pain at rest too.
2. POOR WOUND HEALING
Poor circulation in your legs and feet can cause cuts, scrapes and sores on your legs and feet to heal slowly. Some wounds may not heal at all, which makes them more likely to get infected.
3. POOR NAIL OR HAIR GROWTH
People with PAD may lose the hair on their legs. And their toenails may stop growing.
4. A COLD OR DISCOLORED FOOT
Reduced blood flow can cause one foot to feel colder to the touch than the other. It may also look paler than usual.
Warning: You should seek medical help right away if you suddenly can't feel or move a foot that is cold, blue or pale. These can be signs of a medical emergency.
5. NUMBNESS OR WEAKNESS
PAD can cause weakness, numbness, or a "pins and needles" sensation in a foot or leg. This could cause you to lose your balance when you walk.
ARE YOU AT RISK? You could have PAD even if you don't have any of these symptoms. Find out if you're at risk.
Sources
- American Heart Association. "Symptoms of PAD." https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/peripheral-artery-disease/symptoms-of-pad.
- National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. "What is Peripheral Artery Disease?" https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/peripheral-artery-disease.
Vascular surgery and other services we offer
Here are some of the vascular services we perform:
- Preventive screenings for circulation problems, like peripheral artery disease (PAD).
- Lower leg bypass surgery. This includes femoral popliteal bypass and femoral to femoral bypass. This surgery can help improve blood flow to the lower extremities.
- Carotid endarterectomy. The procedure removes plaque from the neck arteries, which may help prevent strokes.
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm repairs. The repairs may help prevent life-threatening ruptures or tears of this critical artery.
- Minimally invasive vascular tests and treatments (such as the placement of leg stents).
- Treatment for non-healing wounds in the feet.
Vein Clinic
Our vein clinic provides the most advanced varicose and spider vein treatment options in the area. Unlike other vein care clinic’s, our provider is a vascular surgeon with vast experience in treating both veins and circulation problems. Vein care treatments are not just about achieving the best cosmetic results, although this is certainly a concern. Our top priority is to address the source of your vein problem to produce a healthier vascular system overall and lower your risk for a recurrence of spider and varicose veins. This means pinpointing the cause of your vein problem first, then follow a proper treatment protocol.
ClariVein IC
- Used for treatment of vein ablations.
- Procedure is done in the office.
- Done by inserting an ultra-thin infusion catheter (tube) which disperses an agent to the target vein to shrink it.
- This procedure is all done through one small, pin-sized entrance point, to prevent negative results that can occur with multiple injection sites.
- No down time - you can return to normal activities after the procedure.
- Covered by some insurances, if proven to be medically necessary.
- Private pay pricing available upon consultation.
Sclerotherapy
- Used for treatment of spider veins or smaller varicosities
- Procedure is done in the office
- Done by injecting medicine into the blood vessel or vein that causes them to shrink
- Minimal discomfort during procedure
- No down time