How Mississippi, Tennessee, and Kentucky Residents Can Restore Blood Flow Without Surgery
A diagnosis of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) often brings immediate concerns about mobility, pain, and what comes next. Many patients worry that blocked arteries automatically mean major surgery or, worse, amputation.
That is not usually the case.
PAD is a chronic disease, but it is manageable. With the right approach, blood flow can be restored, symptoms can be controlled, and limbs can be saved, often without a single surgical incision. At Southern VIP, we specialize in non-surgical, minimally invasive treatments that get patients back on their feet quickly.
One of the most effective first steps in PAD care is regular movement. In our “Your PAD New Normal” video series, Nurse Practitioner John Scallions explains how structured exercise improves circulation and slows symptom progression. Watch the short video here:
The video shows how walking helps reduce leg pain, cramps, and numbness while supporting long-term vascular health. Below, we outline the full range of non-surgical PAD treatments available at Southern VIP, from exercise therapy to advanced, limb-saving procedures.
Start with Movement: How Exercise Helps Manage PAD Symptoms
When arteries in the legs become narrowed or blocked, walking can trigger pain, cramping, or fatigue in the calves, thighs, or buttocks. This condition, known as claudication, often leads patients to stop moving altogether.
That response is understandable, but it is the opposite of what the body needs.
Structured exercise, particularly walking or pedaling, is one of the most powerful treatments for PAD. As Southern VIP Nurse Practitioner John Scallions explains in his video, regular movement encourages the muscles to use oxygen more efficiently. Over time, consistent walking can even stimulate the growth of new, small collateral blood vessels that bypass the blockages.
Benefits of a Walking Program
A supervised walking program or simply committing to short, frequent walks at home can:
- Improve pain-free walking distance
- Strengthen cardiovascular function
- Support better blood sugar control in diabetic patients
- Slow the progression of PAD symptoms
Why this matters: Movement is not just general wellness advice for PAD patients. It is a direct treatment that improves circulation and quality of life. For those just starting, even five minutes of walking several times a day can make a measurable difference.
When Lifestyle Changes Are Not Enough: Minimally Invasive Options to Restore Blood Flow
Exercise, diet, and medication management are essential, but some patients reach a point where blockages are too advanced for lifestyle changes alone. When wounds appear, pain becomes constant, or walking becomes impossible; it is time to consider medical intervention.
The good news is that interventional vascular care offers multiple ways to restore blood flow without the risks and long recovery of traditional bypass surgery.
What Is Foot Rescue™?
Foot Rescue™ is a specialized, minimally invasive approach developed to treat severe PAD, particularly in patients who have been told their feet are receiving inadequate blood flow. What makes Foot Rescue special is its attention to the pedal loop, which provides blood flow to the foot and toes.
Using advanced image guidance, an interventional radiologist accesses the blocked artery through a tiny puncture, often in the leg or foot. From there, blockages can be cleared all the way down to the toes, restoring direct blood flow to the tissues that need it most.
Other Outpatient Treatment Options for PAD:
Depending on the location and severity of the blockage, your interventional radiologist may recommend one or more of the following minimally invasive techniques:
Atherectomy
In this procedure, a specialized catheter with a cutting or laser tip is used to shave away or vaporize the plaque buildup inside the artery. This is particularly effective for tough, calcified blockages common in diabetic patients.
Angioplasty
A tiny balloon is threaded through the artery to the site of the blockage. When inflated, it compresses the plaque against the arterial wall, widening the blood vessel.
Stent Placement
In some cases, after angioplasty, a small mesh tube called a stent may be placed to keep the artery open.
These IR procedures are done on an outpatient basis. They allow faster recovery and carry a lower infection risk compared to open surgery. The procedure is performed through an incision so small that stitches are often unnecessary. Most patients go home the same day without a hospital stay.
Why this matters: For patients with foot wounds, infections, or at risk of amputation, Foot Rescue™ and other IR interventions can help feet and toes heal and avoid tissue loss or medically required amputation.
Dr. Thomas Hodgkiss at Southern VIP Aims to Reverse PAD Trends for Patients in MS, TN, and KY
Mississippi, Tennessee, and Kentucky face some of the highest rates of diabetes, smoking, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease in the country. These are the exact conditions that fuel PAD and lead to preventable amputations.
In the Mississippi Delta, rural Tennessee, and Western Kentucky, access to specialty vascular care has historically been limited. Patients often drive hours for treatment, or worse, go without care until a wound appears, or amputation is the only option discussed. Mississippi is unfortunately the #1 state in the US for PAD-related amputations.
Dr. Hodgkiss has created Southern VIP to change that. Dr. Thomas Hodgkiss is one of the most sought-after PAD physicians in the greater Memphis area and has helped thousands of Mississippi, Tennessee, and Kentucky residents avoid PAD progression and amputations while improving their quality of life. John Scallions and Dr. Hodgkiss tell their patients, “A Better Life Starts Here.”
Southern VIP Locations
With PAD clinics and treatment centers in:
- Southaven, MS
- Olive Branch, MS
- Memphis, TN
- Union City, TN
- Fulton, KY
Thanks to Southern VIP, patients in these communities have local access to advanced, non-surgical vascular care.
Why this matters: Geography should not determine whether a patient keeps their leg. Early screening and minimally invasive treatment in these communities save limbs and lives.
The Southern VIP Approach: Personalized Care With an Alternative to Surgery
Every patient’s vascular disease is different. Some need aggressive risk factor modification and a walking program. Others need immediate intervention to restore blood flow and heal a wound. Many fall somewhere in between.
At Southern VIP, the approach begins with a thorough evaluation, including painless tests such as the Toe-Brachial Index (TBI) and vascular ultrasound, to map exactly where blockages are and how severe they are.
From there, a personalized treatment plan is developed. The goal is always the same: restore blood flow, relieve symptoms, and prevent amputation using the least invasive methods available.
The patient’s commitment is long-term. Southern VIP will collaborate with other doctors to establish a circle of care for the patient and will follow up regularly to monitor progress and watch for new blockages.
Take the First Step: Find Out Which Treatment Is Right for You
PAD does not have to lead to surgery or limb loss. With early detection and the right combination of exercise, medical management, and minimally invasive procedures, blood flow can be restored, and mobility preserved.
If You Are Experiencing:
- Pain in the legs or buttocks when walking
- Numbness, tingling, or burning in the feet
- Leg cramps at night, or when lying down
- Cold or discolored toes
- A foot sore that will not heal
…do not wait.
Schedule a vascular evaluation with Southern VIP today. Find out how non-invasive PAD treatments can help you restore blood flow, protect your limbs, and return to the activities you love. Your legs and feet will thank you.
