Understanding Vascular Surgery: When Leg Pain Raises Concerns
Leg pain is a common ailment that many people experience at some point in their lives. Whether it’s due to overexertion, injury or simply the wear and tear of daily life, occasional discomfort in the legs is often brushed off as a minor inconvenience. However, there are times when leg pain can indicate a more serious underlying issue that requires medical attention, particularly when it comes to vascular health.
Peripheral artery disease (PAD), chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) or swelling of the legs, aortic aneurysms and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) are among the conditions that can manifest as leg pain. Recognizing the signs and knowing when to seek the expertise of a vascular surgeon can be crucial in preventing potentially life-threatening complications.
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): Narrowing of the Arteries
PAD is one of the most common vascular conditions and it is a disease in which plaque builds up in the arteries that carry blood throughout our body, typically to the head, organs and limbs. Plaque contains cholesterol, fat, fibrous tissue, calcium and other substances in the blood. This plaque can harden and narrow in the arteries over time, limiting the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the organs and other parts of the body, a condition called atherosclerosis. “Over time, untreated PAD can increase the risk of complications such as non-healing wounds, infections and even limb amputation in severe cases,” Dr. Harrison emphasized.
Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI): Leg Pain with Swelling
Chronic Venous Insufficiency is also a common condition. It occurs when an individual’s leg veins become damaged, resulting in the vein’s inability to sufficiently carry blood to the heart. This increases pressure in your leg veins and causes symptoms like pain and swelling. Additionally, symptoms such as achy tired legs, discoloration of the legs due to the veins bursting, cramping or even a tingling sensation could result from CVI.
Understanding Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in one of the deep veins of the body, usually in the legs. “While DVT can develop without any noticeable symptoms, common signs include swelling, pain, warmth and redness in the affected leg,” said Humayun Bakhtawar, MD, FACS, RPVI, a vascular surgeon with Hattiesburg Clinic Vascular Specialists. “If left untreated, DVT can lead to serious complications such as pulmonary embolism, where the blood clot travels to the lungs, posing a significant risk to life,” Dr. Bakhtawar added. In most cases, DVT can be diagnosed and treated by an individual’s primary care provider.
Aortic Aneurysms: A Rare and Silent Threat
Aortic aneurysms involve the abnormal enlargement of the aorta, the main artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Although aortic aneurysms can develop anywhere along the aorta, they often occur in the abdominal region. “While some individuals may experience symptoms such as abdominal or back pain, many cases go undetected until they rupture,” said J. Brannon Harrison, MD, a vascular surgeon with Hattiesburg Clinic Vascular Specialists. Leg pain may occur if the aneurysm presses on nearby nerves and blood vessels or causes reduced blood flow to the legs. Harrison indicated that while an aortic aneurysm is not as common as conditions such as PAD, it can be fatal.
When to Start Worrying About Leg Pain
While occasional leg pain may not be cause for immediate concern, certain signs and symptoms warrant prompt medical attention. If you experience persistent or severe leg pain, particularly if it is accompanied by swelling, warmth, redness or changes in skin color, it is essential to consult a health care professional. Additionally, if you have a history of conditions such as PAD, leg pain with swelling or DVT, any new or worsening symptoms should not be ignored.
When to See a Vascular Specialist
If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms suggestive of vascular conditions such as PAD, CVI or DVT, seeking the expertise of a vascular surgeon is crucial. Vascular surgeons specialize in diagnosing and treating diseases of the blood vessels, offering comprehensive care to improve circulation and prevent complications. They can perform diagnostic tests such as ultrasound, CT scans or angiography to assess the extent of vascular disease and recommend appropriate treatment options.
Vascular physicians may recommend lifestyle modifications, medication or state-of-the-art minimally invasive procedures to manage vascular conditions. In more severe cases or when conservative treatments are ineffective, surgical intervention may be necessary to restore blood flow and prevent further complications.
About Hattiesburg Clinic’s Endovascular Center
Our Endovascular Center is the first vascular physician-led outpatient procedure center of its type in the South Mississippi area. The facility, located adjacent to Vascular Specialists on the second floor of Hattiesburg Clinic’s main campus, serves as a private, outpatient setting for patients who undergo minimally invasive vascular procedures. The center includes four patient bays and one procedure room for catheter-based diagnostic and treatment procedures.
Most of the procedures that are offered include interventions for PAD, such as lower extremity angiography, along with advanced venous therapies. The center is staffed by vascular surgeons, nurses with a background in sedation and critical care, surgical scrub and radiologic technologists who specialize in vascular procedures and endovascular imaging.
Why Choose Hattiesburg Clinic Vascular Surgery
Vascular Surgery is a medical subspecialty that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment and management of conditions that affect the vascular system. This includes the arteries and veins, and the lymphatic system which filters waste out of the blood and fights off infection.
Leg pain can be a warning sign of underlying vascular issues such as peripheral artery disease, chronic venous insufficiency, deep vein thrombosis or aortic aneurysms. Recognizing the symptoms and knowing when to seek the expertise of a vascular surgeon is essential in preventing serious complications and preserving vascular health. If you or someone you know is experiencing persistent or severe leg pain, don’t hesitate to consult a health care professional for evaluation and appropriate management. Your legs carry you through life; it’s essential to take care of them.
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About Hattiesburg Clinic Vascular Surgery:
Hattiesburg Clinic Vascular Specialists department treats patients with conditions affecting the arteries, veins and lymphatic systems that primarily involve circulation from the heart to the rest of the body. We focus on circulatory issues to relieve pain, preserve limbs and effectively care for wounds.
Hattiesburg Clinic Vascular Specialists also has an in-office Endovascular Center, adjacent to its office on the second floor of Hattiesburg Clinic, which offers patients a more private, convenient and timely setting for advanced minimally invasive procedures.
About Hattiesburg Clinic:
Hattiesburg Clinic is Mississippi’s largest privately-owned, multispecialty clinic. More than 60 years after its beginning, the clinic has grown to over 450 physicians and providers, caring for patients in more than 17 counties in South Mississippi. Along with over 2,500 professional staff employees, these physicians and providers come together for a common purpose, to serve the over 500,000 community members who live and work in South Mississippi every day.
