Do You Have Poor Blood Flow?

When the legs and feet have poor blood circulation, the proper term for this is called peripheral vascular disease or PVD.  The most common cause of PVD is atherosclerosis or “hardening of the arteries”. Diabetes is the most common cause of PVD.

What are the symptoms of poor circulation?

1. Claudication – this is cramping in the legs or feet after walking a certain distance. The pain goes away when you stop walking. The reason you get cramps in the legs is due to leg muscles requiring more oxygen. Since the blood vessels can’t provide the proper amount of oxygen to the muscles, you get cramping.

2. Skin color changes – the skin color becomes more pale, bluish or reddish

3. Numbness or tingling in the foot or toes.

4. Skin temperature changes – the skin feels cool or cold

5. Poor skin – the skin is prone to sores, ulcers and infection

The biggest problem with poor circulation in the feet, is that the blood carries oxygen to the body tissues for healing purposes. If you have a wound, cut, sore, or infection, the blood cannot reach the compromised area of your feet and bring the oxygen or other healing factors present.

Poor Circulation is treated in various ways:

1. Exercise more

2. Treat high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes

3. Stop smoking

4. Use blood thinners to prevent blood clots

5. Surgery to either dilate the blood vessels, or perform a “bypass of the blocked blood vessel.

Foot care is so important if you have PVD. By following these recommendations, you can prevent future problems:

1. Prevent accidents or trauma

2. Wear shoegear that fits well and does not rub sores on the feet

3. Seek professional help from a podiatrist for assitance in trimming of nails, corns and calluses to prevent injury.

Podiatrists can help you with the following:

1. Perform a complete evaluation of your blood flow status and inform you of the risks involved with PVD

2. Help perform periodic reassessment of the blood flow status

3. Give advice on foot care and proper fitting shoegear.

4. Take care of all foot conditions

5. Manage any infections, sores, wounds, or ulcerations on the feet.

If you feel that your foot and leg circulation is poor, please contact Dr. Kory Williams or Dr. Eric Silvers at Advanced Foot & Ankle Center. We can help you with all your foot and ankle needs.