What Is Peripheral Artery Disease?
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) occurs when plaque buildup inside the arteries — most commonly those supplying the legs — reduces blood flow to the limbs. The result can be cramping or fatigue in the legs during walking (claudication), non-healing wounds on the feet or lower legs, chronic coldness or numbness in the extremities, and in severe cases, critical limb ischemia that threatens the limb itself.
PAD is underdiagnosed in part because many patients attribute their symptoms to aging or orthopedic problems rather than a vascular cause. An accurate diagnosis starts with a clinical evaluation and a non-invasive ankle-brachial index (ABI) test, often followed by vascular imaging.
How Interventional Radiology Treats PAD
The cornerstone of interventional treatment for PAD is restoring blood flow to the affected limb without open bypass surgery. Interventional radiologists at MinVasive Medical use image-guided techniques including:
- Angioplasty: A small balloon is inflated inside the narrowed artery to open it
- Stenting: A metal mesh tube is placed inside the artery to hold it open after angioplasty
- Atherectomy: Devices are used to remove or modify plaque inside the artery
All of these are catheter-based — performed through a small skin puncture, typically at the groin or wrist, under imaging guidance. No surgical incision is required, and most patients are discharged the same day.
When PAD Requires Prompt Attention
Critical limb ischemia — severe PAD with rest pain or non-healing wounds — is a condition where delays in treatment carry real consequences. If you have wounds on your feet or lower legs that are not healing, or pain in the feet and toes at rest, an urgent evaluation with a vascular specialist is warranted. MinVasive Medical's interventional radiology team is equipped to evaluate and treat these presentations.
PAD Treatment in Paramus, NJ
MinVasive Medical serves PAD patients throughout New Jersey from our Paramus clinic. If you have been told you have poor circulation, have been diagnosed with PAD, or are experiencing symptoms consistent with reduced limb blood flow, a consultation with our vascular interventional team is the appropriate next step.
