Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)
Mobile Wound Care & Wound Care Specialist located in Greater Phoenix, AZ
Due to the high risk of amputation for people with peripheral artery disease (PAD), best practice in wound care is essential. Annette Kietur, M.Ed., MSN, FNP-C, WCC, DAPWCA, at Getting Well in Peoria, Arizona, specializes in treating arterial ulcers caused by PAD. She also refers patients for vascular evaluations and surgical treatment if needed. Call the office to arrange an in-home visit for expert arterial ulcer care or book an appointment online today.
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects your arteries. Because the lower limbs are furthest from your heart, PAD generally develops in the feet and legs.
At first, you might not notice any symptoms, but as PAD worsens, it can cause claudication — a distinctive aching and pain in your legs when you walk. Without treatment, claudication can worsen, so you experience it all the time.
Reduced blood flow caused by PAD limits oxygen and nutrient delivery and deprives the tissues of healing cells that repair damage. The tissues deteriorate, and arterial (ischemic) ulcers (open sores) may develop.
Another PAD complication is blood clots blocking the artery. These blockages can result in critical limb ischemia (CLI), which requires urgent treatment to restore foot and leg circulation. Ischemic ulcers and critical limb ischemia can cause gangrene, which could ultimately lead to limb amputation.
PAD occurs when plaque forms in your bloodstream and sticks to the artery walls. Plaque consists of fatty cholesterol and waste products like calcium that clump together to form a sticky residue. Over time, plaque layers on the artery walls take up increasing space, leaving less room for blood to flow.
Diet and lifestyle is the most frequent cause of PAD. Eating foods high in cholesterol, like red meat and animal fats, produces an excess in your bloodstream that your body can’t process. Insufficient exercise also encourages fat buildup, and smoking damages the blood vessels.
To stop peripheral artery disease from worsening and help the tissues heal, your doctor is likely to recommend lifestyle changes like:
Depending on your condition’s severity, you might need to take medication to improve your circulation.
If you have an arterial ulcer, Annette at Getting Well can offer care in your home or in the office.
First, she cleans and debrides the wound, removing all unhealthy tissue and thoroughly cleansing the area. Then, she applies specialized dressings that encourage healing and stop bacteria from infecting the ulcer. Compression is also helpful to improve circulation in the legs.
To benefit from Annette’s expertise in caring for ulcers caused by peripheral artery disease, call Getting Well or book an appointment online today.