Treatment Options for Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): Foot RescueTM, Walking Therapy, and More

Did you know that nearly 8.5 million Americans are affected by Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), yet many don’t even know they have it? PAD can lead to serious complications, including non-healing foot wounds, mobility issues, and even amputation if left untreated. Early intervention is key to managing symptoms, improving circulation, and maintaining mobility. At Southern Vascular & Interventional Pain-management (Southern VIP TM), we specialize in non-surgical, minimally invasive treatments to help patients with PAD regain their quality of life. Our Foot Rescue outpatient procedure, structured walking program of 4-5 days of activity each week, and targeted medications offer safe and effective alternatives to traditional surgery. If you or a loved one experiences leg pain, cramping, or slow-healing foot wounds, this guide will help you understand the best treatment options available.

Understanding PAD: Why Proper Treatment Matters

PAD occurs when narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs, leading to symptoms like:

• Leg pain or cramping when walking (claudication)
• Coldness or numbness in the feet or toes
• Sores or wounds on the feet that take a long time to heal
• Reduced hair growth on the legs or feet
• Skin discoloration or slow nail growth

Ignoring PAD symptoms can result in severe complications, including critical limb ischemia (CLI), a condition that can lead to amputation if not properly treated. Seeking early, non-invasive treatment options can prevent serious health risks.

PAD Walking Programs: Strengthening Your Circulation

With early diagnosis and intervention, PAD can be managed.  Exercise therapy is one of the most effective non-surgical treatments for PAD. A supervised walking program can help patients:

• Increase circulation in the legs
• Reduce muscle cramping and pain (claudication)
• Improve endurance and mobility
• Lower the risk of complications related to PAD

Lifestyle modification: Adjusting to a new-normal

Managing PAD takes a real commitment.  At Southern VIP, each lifestyle modification program is tailored to the patient’s needs and may include:

• Daily walking sessions with tailored goals to build stamina safely
• Personalized exercise plans based on fitness level, personal interests and symptoms 
• Dietary counsel based on current health condition
• Help with smoking cessation tools
• Regular progress tracking with a medical professional to monitor progress and adjust treatment as needed

With consistent participation, many patients experience a significant reduction in pain and improved walking ability within weeks.

Additional PAD Treatment Options

In addition to lifestyle modification, your PAD physician may recommend medications to reduce blockages and improve blood flow.  These medications can help manage PAD symptoms and reduce the risk of complications. These may include: 

• Blood thinners to prevent clot formation
• Cholesterol-lowering drugs to reduce artery blockages
• Medications to improve circulation and ease leg pain

Southern VIP’s Foot Rescue Procedures: Protecting Your Leg, Foot, and Toe Health

For individuals with Diabetes and PAD, foot health is a top priority. Poor circulation increases the risk of foot ulcers, infections, and non-healing wounds, which can lead to limb loss if untreated. If PAD is advanced and conservative treatments have not been effective, Foot Rescue procedure may be the patient’s best option for avoiding amputation and restoring foot health. For these more advanced cases, Foot Rescue’s non-surgical procedures can restore blood flow without cutting. These innovative outpatient procedures can help restore circulation and relieve symptoms with minimal downtime.  During the treatment, the doctor may use angioplasty and stenting procedures to inflate the arteries and keep them open longer. Southern VIP’s Foot Rescue patients will usually benefit in some or all the following ways.

• Improved blood circulation to the lower extremities including the feet, and toes. This can only be accomplished due to Foot Rescue’s full pedal loop revascularization.
• Lower leg and foot wounds and infections begin to heal properly.
• Reduced pain and discomfort when walking or standing.
• A greater ability to participate in physical activity leading to other health improvements, including increased stamina and strength.
• Fewer leg cramps at night, providing better quality rest and improved energy levels.
• Ongoing, medically supervised follow-ups to monitor progress and provide follow-up treatments and lifestyle modifications as necessary.

By incorporating customized care, patient education, and proactive foot monitoring, the Foot Rescue program helps Southern VIP to prevent hundreds of amputations and provide a better quality of life for its patients and their families.

Why Choose Southern VIP for PAD Treatment?

At Southern VIP, we focus on non-surgical solutions that help patients avoid major surgery and recover faster. Our specialized programs emphasize:

• Patient education regarding their condition and treatment options
• Customized care plans based on each patient’s needs
• Medically supervised lifestyle modification plans and conservative treatments
• Early intervention options to prevent complications and slow disease progression
• Minimally invasive Foot Rescue treatments that include blood flow improvement to the feet and toes, which often provides symptom relief and slowed disease progression with little or no downtime.

By choosing Southern VIP, you get access to advanced PAD treatments designed to restore mobility, reduce pain, and improve circulation without undergoing surgery.