Symptoms

In the initial stages of the disease, there is pain, muscle spasm, and leg fatigue when walking. For example, a person walks 100 meters and an attack of pain in the leg muscles causes him to stop, after a while the pain goes away and he goes on. Such pains are called "intermittent lameness". As the disease progresses, the distance that can be walked without stopping decreases. Further progression of the disease leads to the appearance of constant pain in the fingers or feet not only while walking, but also at rest. The absence of treatment will lead to the development of the last stage of the disease - gangrene of the fingers or foot, which may necessitate the amputation of the affected leg. Amputation in 10-40% of cases leads to death. In addition, after amputation, most patients die within 2-3 years.
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Symptoms that may also occur:

• Severe pain, numbness in the limb
• Wounds on the fingers or lower legs that do not heal
• Peeling of the skin, cracks on the skin, which can become "entrance gates" for infections
• Gangrene that leads to amputation
• If you have any of the above symptoms, you should immediately contact a vascular surgeon to prevent limb amputation.

CAUSES OF ARTERIAL OBLITERATING DISEASE

Atherosclerosis is the main cause of obliterating diseases of the arteries of the lower extremities.
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Risk factors:

• Smoking
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Adiposity
• Presence of Hereditary tendency
• Diabetes

Necessary examinations:

1. Ultrasound dopplerography by measurement of the brachial-shin index. Makes it possible to determine the level of atherosclerotic occlusion and the degree of blood supply to the distal parts of the affected limb.
2. X-ray angiography. It allows you to determine the localization and extent of the pathological process, the degree of arterial damage (occlusion, stenosis).
3. Spiral computer angiography and magnetic resonance contrast angiography is not inferior to X-ray in terms of quality of information, but does not require hospitalization and is distinguished by high safety for patients, since the contrast is administered intravenously.

treatment

One of the main ones is quitting smoking, maintaining a normal weight (that is, eating low-fat and protein-rich food). If you suffer from diabetes, then maintain a normal blood sugar level, as well as observe personal foot hygiene (well-fitting and soft shoes avoid skin damage).
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Treatment of atherosclerotic lesions should be complex and continuous. Only such an approach allows you to maintain life and physical activity for many years. Conservative treatment means reducing the rate of progression of atherosclerosis, reducing the risk of thrombotic complications. Therapeutic agents give a positive effect only after taking them for many months, and in such a situation they should be considered as a mandatory addition to surgical treatment.
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Surgical treatment
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Surgical treatment is indicated for a significant decrease in the quality of life due to atherosclerotic lesions. It consists in the removal of atherosclerotic plaque that closes the lumen of the artery or the creation of a bypass (shunting). In case of occlusion or stenosis of the iliac artery, aorto-femoral or aorto-bifurcation-femoral shunting is performed. Affected femoral artery is performed femoral-popliteal shunting or profundoplasty.

Endovascular treatment
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When the iliac artery is damaged, angioplasty and artery stenting are successfully used. Angioplasty is a method of expanding the inner lumen of blood vessels with the help of a special balloon. At the same time, an interventional radiologist specialist inserts a thin tube (catheter) through a small puncture and leads it to the narrowed part of the vessel under the control of X-rays. The balloon expands, pushing apart atherosclerotic plaques, and blood flow through the vessel is restored. In some cases, after that, a metal frame is installed - a stent, which, when implanted, allows you to preserve the achieved result.