Diabetic Vascular Disease: Know Your Treatment Options
Author: StrideCare Internal Team
How diabetic vascular disease affects your legs and feet
- Burning sensations in your toes and feet
- Leg pain
- Swollen ankles, feet, and calves
- Loss of feeling in one or more areas
- Foot and leg sores that are slow to heal
Treatment options for diabetic vascular disease
We tailor your comprehensive treatment plan to your individual health needs for a whole-person approach to helping you manage your diabetes and diabetic vascular disease. Treatment may include taking steps to get your diabetes under control, such as losing weight, exercising more, and eating healthier foods. Our vascular physicians may also prescribe medications to lower your cholesterol and blood pressure.
Beyond more conservative treatment measures, our vascular specialists may recommend minimally invasive surgical procedures to help restore circulation to your legs and feet, including angioplasty and stent placement.
Angioplasty
Angioplasty is a procedure in which your doctor makes a small incision in which to thread a catheter into a blocked artery. This allows them to remove the blockage and improve blood flow in the area. To accomplish this, your doctor inserts a tiny balloon through the catheter into the clogged artery to open the artery and improve circulation.
Stent placement
Sometimes, in addition to angioplasty, you may need a stent implanted in the blocked artery. A stent is a tiny wire mesh cylinder that helps keep your artery open so blood can flow freely after the angioplasty clears the blockage.
It’s extremely important not to ignore the symptoms of diabetic vascular disease. If you have foot pain, swelling, or sores that won’t heal, don’t wait to seek medical intervention. As a diabetic, your vein health is crucial to your overall health and quality of life.
Prior to starting any new treatment or questions regarding a medical condition, always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
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