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The Ankle-Brachial Index for Patients With Foot Wounds

Tuesday, 29 September 2020 00:00

Foot wounds can be caused by a variety of conditions. The ankle-brachial index, a simple and noninvasive vascular screening technique, can help your doctor determine the etiology of your wound. Chronic foot wounds are often caused by peripheral artery disease (PAD), a condition that leads to poor circulation in the lower extremities. Having PAD may cause foot wounds to be less likely to heal and risk of infection may be heightened as well. The ankle-brachial index is very useful in helping to diagnose PAD. During this screening, the doctor simply measures the blood pressure of your arm and ankle, and then compares the two numbers. The resulting ratio is used to determine the likelihood of you having PAD. Knowing this information is important, as it influences the doctor’s decisions on how to treat your foot wounds and any other foot and ankle conditions that you may experience. If you have foot wounds, speak with a podiatrist today.

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. Thomas Madden from Advanced Foot Care Center. 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 our office located in Killeen, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

 

Read more about Vascular Testing in Podiatry
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