Your legs are filled with arteries that transport blood to and from your lower limbs. Sometimes this blood flow is reduced or interrupted due to a buildup of plaque in the arteries, which can cause them to narrow and harden and lead to a condition called peripheral artery disease (PAD). A podiatrist can screen you for PAD by using an arterial duplex ultrasound. The ultrasound is a simple, quick, painless, and noninvasive tool that produces an image of your arteries using sound waves. The images made by the ultrasound can be used to diagnose problems such as narrowed blood vessels or lower limb ulcers. To learn more about this and other lower limb vascular screening tools, please consult with a podiatrist. 

Vascular testing plays an important part in diagnosing disease like peripheral artery disease. If you have symptoms of peripheral artery disease, or diabetes, consult with Dr. Sybil J. Fisher from Texas. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Vascular Testing?

Vascular testing checks for how well blood circulation is in the veins and arteries. This is most often done to determine and treat a patient for peripheral artery disease (PAD), stroke, and aneurysms. Podiatrists utilize vascular testing when a patient has symptoms of PAD or if they believe they might. If a patient has diabetes, a podiatrist may determine a vascular test to be prudent to check for poor blood circulation.

How Is it Conducted?

Most forms of vascular testing are non-invasive. Podiatrists will first conduct a visual inspection for any wounds, discoloration, and any abnormal signs prior to a vascular test.

 The most common tests include:

• Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) examination
• Doppler examination
• Pedal pulses

These tests are safe, painless, and easy to do. Once finished, the podiatrist can then provide a diagnosis and the best course for treatment.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Houston and Sugar Land, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.