Periperal Artery Disease (PAD) Rehabilitation

PAD, also known as Peripheral Artery Disease, is a disease associated with the narrowing of peripheral arteries due to a build up in fatty deposits which, as a result, can cause a decrease in circulation in the legs, stomach, arms, and head.

At Fyzical of Colleyville, we have found that most patients suffering from PAD have very similar symptoms. Typically these symptoms involve the lower extremities

• Cramping and/or Pain
• Tiredness/Fatigue
• Foot or toe wounds that won’t heal or heal very slowly
• Gangrene
• Decreased temperature of the lower leg
• Poor nail growth on the toes or hair growth on the legs
• Redness in feet or toes

The first step to helping your PAD symptoms receiving the correct diagnosis, and you will then be referred to physical therapy by your physician. Following this process, Fyzical of Colleyville will then introduce you to your own individualized exercise plan. Exercise improves circulation, which in turn will reduce the pain associated with your PAD. The key factor to exercising to help with PAD is that it is monitored and performed correctly. The purpose of this is so the patient is properly warming up and cooling down, along with the proper amount of conditioning throughout the week. Once the patients is able to build up a tolerance to the walking activity new activity and exercises can then be added to the program.

PAD can be easily helped with simple lifestyle changes. Some of these lifestyle changes are:

• Increasing Physical Activity
• Comsuming a Healthy Diet
• Smoking Cessation
• Managing Diabetes

With these simple changes, it is possible for a patient suffering from PAD to see significant positive results.