Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a common circulatory condition in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs, most commonly the legs. This narrowing is typically caused by atherosclerosis—the buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) on artery walls. When leg muscles don’t receive enough blood during physical activity, it can cause pain and cramping, a symptom known as claudication.

PAD affects millions of Americans and is a warning sign of more widespread arterial disease. People with PAD have an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular complications. The condition often goes undiagnosed because symptoms can be mild or mistaken for normal aging. However, early detection and treatment can prevent progression and reduce the risk of serious complications.

Common symptoms include leg pain or cramping when walking that improves with rest, numbness or weakness in the legs, coldness in the lower leg or foot, sores or wounds on feet or legs that heal slowly, changes in leg color, shiny skin, hair loss on legs, and weak or absent pulses in legs or feet. Risk factors include smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, age over 50, and a family history of PAD or cardiovascular disease.

Treatment Options

At Western Surgical Group, we are Northern Nevada’s leaders in treating peripheral artery disease through both minimally invasive and open surgical approaches. Our comprehensive limb salvage programs have helped countless patients preserve function and avoid amputation.

Treatment begins with lifestyle modifications and medications to manage risk factors. When intervention is necessary, we offer:

  • Endovascular Interventions: Minimally invasive procedures including angioplasty and stenting to open blocked arteries, performed through small incisions with faster recovery times
  • Atherectomy: Advanced techniques to remove plaque buildup from arteries
  • Surgical Bypass: Open surgery to create a detour around blocked arteries using either your own vein or a synthetic graft
  • Hybrid Procedures: Combining endovascular and open surgical techniques for complex cases

Starting Fall 2025, we will offer outpatient minimally invasive PAD treatment at Galena Surgical Center, helping patients avoid the hospital altogether while expediting care and lowering costs. Our multidisciplinary approach includes coordination with wound care specialists, primary care providers, and other specialists to ensure comprehensive, personalized treatment.

Divisions Involved in Your Care

Nothing Found

Procedures We Use

Frequently Asked Questions

PAD is diagnosed through several methods. Your vascular surgeon will start with a physical examination and medical history. The ankle-brachial index (ABI) test compares blood pressure in your ankle to blood pressure in your arm and is a simple, non-invasive screening tool. Additional tests may include vascular ultrasound, CT angiography, or MR angiography to visualize blood flow and identify blockage locations.

While PAD cannot be completely reversed, its progression can be slowed or stopped with proper treatment. Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, and managing diabetes and blood pressure are crucial. Medical and surgical interventions can restore blood flow and significantly improve symptoms. Early treatment offers the best outcomes for preserving limb function and preventing complications.

Untreated PAD can lead to critical limb ischemia, where severely reduced blood flow causes rest pain, non-healing wounds, and tissue death. This can progress to gangrene and may require amputation. PAD also indicates increased risk for heart attack and stroke because the same plaque buildup affecting leg arteries often affects arteries supplying the heart and brain. Seeking treatment early is essential to prevent these serious complications.

Recovery time varies depending on the procedure performed. Minimally invasive endovascular procedures typically require just 1-2 days in the hospital with return to normal activities within 1-2 weeks. Open surgical bypass requires a longer hospital stay of 3-7 days with recovery taking 4-6 weeks. Your vascular surgeon will provide a personalized recovery timeline based on your specific treatment plan and overall health.

Yes, supervised exercise therapy, particularly walking programs, is one of the most effective treatments for PAD-related claudication. Walking helps develop collateral circulation—new small blood vessels that provide alternate routes for blood flow. Start with short distances and gradually increase as tolerated. Walk until you feel discomfort, rest until it resolves, then continue. Your healthcare team can help design an appropriate exercise program.

Yes, PAD is a chronic condition requiring long-term management even after successful treatment. Regular follow-up appointments with your vascular surgeon are essential to monitor the treated areas and check for disease progression in other arteries. You'll also need to continue medications, maintain lifestyle modifications, and coordinate care with your primary care provider and other specialists to manage underlying risk factors.