Peripheral artery disease, or PAD, is a condition that involves a blockage in the arteries. While it most commonly affects the arteries in the legs, PAD sometimes occurs in other parts of the body as well. 

Symptoms of peripheral artery disease include: 

Leg pain can significantly impact your life by interfering with daily chores. As per the CDC, 36.5% of residents of the US suffered from lower limb (leg) pain in 2019. In most cases, lower back pain accompanies leg pain.

Pain behind the knee and calf can make it difficult to walk or sit for long periods. Depending on what your pain is like and where you feel it, you might have a vascular or orthopedic condition.

Read on to learn more about the different conditions that can cause pain in the knee or calf.

Vascular Conditions

Vascular conditions affect the circulatory system. With the femoral artery running in the thighs, the popliteal artery in the knees, and the tibial artery in the legs, you’ll find several crucial components of the circulatory system in the legs.

Poor circulation in the feet can be uncomfortable and make life more challenging for those afflicted. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways you can battle poor circulation in your feet and get yourself feeling better and healthier.

Millions of individuals across the globe experience lower limb pain. Athletes and sportspeople are more prone to developing chronic leg pain. The discomfort usually results from muscle strains and pulls; however, pain in one or both legs might indicate serious health conditions.

If you ever wonder, “why is one of my legs cold to the touch,” the answer is often pretty harmless. Perhaps you were sitting in a way that restricted blood flow to one leg. Maybe you’re just in a cold room.

If the problem is infrequent or a one-time thing, you likely have nothing to worry about. 

Numbness and tingling feeling in your legs and feet is a fairly common disorder experienced by many. It can cause unpleasant, persistent, and disabling pain and discomfort.

However, the bad news is if the tingling sensation and numbness persist, that may be a sign of an underlying medical condition, including vascular diseases such as peripheral artery disease (PAD). 

It can also result from other conditions, including multiple sclerosis, poor posture, diabetes, and fibromyalgia.

The sensation may get felt around the ankle and foot or in the whole leg.

Have you ever experienced a sharp, stabbing pain in your calf muscle that comes out of nowhere? If so, you're not alone. Leg cramps are a common occurrence, especially as we age. While they're usually not serious, they can be painful and disruptive.

But did you know that leg cramps can tell you a lot about your vascular health?

That's right - the condition of your veins and arteries can significantly impact the frequency and severity of leg cramps. Here, we’ll go over all you need to know about the relationship between cramping and your vascular health.

Dr. Gaurav Lakhanpal, the medical director for The Center for Vascular Medicine, explains the Angiogram procedure. This is a procedure to check the arterial circulation in the body using a dye test. 

PAD treatment is necessary to limit the progression of the disease. Once the PAD progresses it may reduce mobility, increases the chances of heart attack, increase chances of limb loss depending on the stage, and reduces the quality of life. 

The patients are given the option to proceed with an arterial procedure and avoid major complications in the future. 

Below are the medical treatment options for PAD (Peripheral Arterial Disease) patients.