Diabetic Foot
Circulation problems, numbness and foot wounds in people with diabetes, assessed early to protect the foot.
- Poor circulation
- Foot wounds
- Diabetes
Conditions we treat
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) happens when the arteries carrying blood to the legs become narrow. The most common sign is leg pain while walking that eases with rest. Early assessment and the right treatment can protect your legs and improve your walking.
Illustration: leg arteries and blood flow
What is peripheral artery disease?
In PAD, fatty deposits (plaque) build up inside the arteries that supply the legs. The arteries become narrow or blocked, a process called atherosclerosis, and the leg muscles and skin receive less blood. The same process can also affect the heart and brain.
PAD is more common in people who smoke, have diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol, and with increasing age. Early PAD may cause pain only while walking. Severe PAD can cause pain at rest, wounds that do not heal and, in severe cases, a risk to the foot. That is why poor blood circulation in the legs should not be ignored.
Common symptoms
- Cramping leg pain while walking, in the calf, thigh or hip, that eases with rest (claudication)
- Pain in the foot or toes at rest, especially at night
- Cold feet, or a pale or bluish colour in the foot
- Weak or absent pulses in the feet
- Slow-healing wounds on the toes or foot
- Shiny skin and reduced hair growth on the legs
When to see a specialist
Consider booking a consultation if:
- You can walk a shorter distance than before because of leg pain
- You have foot pain at rest or at night
- You have diabetes and notice numbness, colour change or a foot wound
- A wound on your foot or toes is slow to heal
- A foot suddenly becomes cold, pale and painful: seek medical help urgently
How we assess it
Every assessment starts with listening. We take the time to understand the full picture before suggesting anything.
- 1
Consultation
You sit down with the specialist and talk through your symptoms, your concerns and what you would like to achieve.
- 2
Your history
We ask about your health, past illnesses, medicines, family history and daily routine, as these often explain the problem.
- 3
Examination
A gentle, careful examination of the affected area, done in privacy.
- 4
Review of your reports
We go through any previous scans, test results and prescriptions you bring, so nothing is repeated without need.
- 5
Tests, only if needed
If more information would help, your specialist will explain which test is advised and why.
To check the blood flow in your legs, your specialist may advise an ABI test (comparing blood pressure at the ankle and arm) or a Doppler ultrasound scan, and sometimes further imaging.
Treatment options
Treatment depends on the cause and how much it affects your life. Your specialist will explain each suitable option simply, including its benefits and risks, so you can decide together.
Risk factor control and walking
Stopping smoking, a regular walking programme and medicines to control blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol form the foundation of treatment for everyone with PAD.
Angioplasty
A thin tube (catheter) with a small balloon is guided to the narrowed artery through a small puncture. The balloon is gently inflated to widen the artery and restore blood flow, without an open operation.
Stenting
In some arteries, a stent, a small mesh tube, is placed to hold the artery open after angioplasty.
If a procedure is recommended, your specialist will explain it and arrange it at a hospital, and you will continue your follow-up here at Vessels Clinic.
Living with it: self-care tips
- Stop smoking; it is the single most important step for your arteries
- Walk most days, pausing when pain comes on and continuing when it settles
- Take your medicines for blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol regularly
- Check your feet daily for cuts, colour changes or sores
- Wear comfortable, well-fitting footwear; avoid walking barefoot
Frequently asked questions
No. It can also come from the spine, joints or muscles. A consultation, with simple tests if needed, helps tell whether reduced blood flow is the cause.
Not necessarily. Many people improve with walking and medicines. Angioplasty or stenting is considered when symptoms limit daily life or when blood flow is severely reduced.
It can. Not smoking, taking prescribed medicines and controlling diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol lower that risk. Regular follow-up helps catch any change early.
Explore
Related conditions
Leg Swelling & Venous Ulcers
Swollen, heavy or aching legs and non-healing leg wounds, often caused by a problem in the leg veins.
- Heavy legs
- Venous ulcer
- Non-healing leg wound
Varicose Veins
Bulging, twisted or aching leg veins and fine spider veins, with minimally invasive treatment options such as EVLA and sclerotherapy.
- Spider veins
- EVLA
- Sclerotherapy
Questions about peripheral artery disease (pad)?
Message us on WhatsApp or call the clinic to book an unhurried consultation with the specialist.