Peripheral Arterial Disease & Foot Care
Healthy circulation is essential to healthy feet. Peripheral arterial disease, or PAD, occurs when narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs, commonly affecting the legs and feet.
Reduced circulation can make wounds more difficult to heal and increase the importance of careful foot monitoring.
At Brazos Foot & Ankle, we evaluate foot problems that may be associated with circulation concerns and coordinate appropriate care when needed.
Signs of Poor Circulation in the Feet
PAD does not always cause obvious symptoms. When symptoms occur, they may include:
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Leg or calf discomfort during walking
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Feet that frequently feel cold
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Changes in skin color
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Slow-healing sores
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Reduced hair growth on the legs or feet
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Changes in the toenails
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Weak pulses in the feet
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Pain in the feet or legs at rest in more advanced cases
Why PAD Matters for Foot Health
Adequate blood flow delivers oxygen and nutrients needed for tissue health and healing.
When circulation is reduced, a small blister, cut, or pressure injury can become more difficult to heal. PAD is particularly important for people who also have diabetes or neuropathy because decreased sensation may allow an injury to go unnoticed.
Foot Care With Circulation Problems
If you have known circulation problems, check your feet regularly for cuts, blisters, sores, redness, discoloration, or other changes.
Avoid attempting to cut corns or calluses yourself. Wear properly fitting shoes and seek professional care for wounds or skin problems that are not healing normally.
Your podiatrist may work with vascular specialists and other members of your healthcare team when additional circulation evaluation or treatment is needed.
When Should You Seek Medical Care?
A wound that isn't healing, new discoloration, increasing pain, or significant changes in temperature should be evaluated promptly.
Sudden severe pain, a foot that becomes unusually pale, blue, cold, or numb, or other abrupt circulation changes can require urgent medical attention.
Protect Your Feet Through Better Monitoring
Circulation problems can have serious consequences for foot health, making prevention and early attention particularly valuable.
At Brazos Foot & Ankle, we can help monitor your feet and address problems that may place them at risk.
Schedule a foot evaluation if you have PAD or concerns about circulation in your feet.
