Disease patterns
The leg arteries are responsible for supplying the legs with oxygen-rich blood. Various diseases can impair the function of these arteries, the most common being peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAD) caused by atherosclerosis. The most common clinical pictures are
Compression syndrome of the popliteal arteries and veins
(popliteal entrapment syndrome).
Compression of the popliteal artery and rarely also the vein is caused by congenitally unfavourable muscle and tendon cords. These lead to compression of the vessel under strain and initially to walking restrictions under heavier strain, e.g. running or playing football, and to occlusion or aneurysm formation of the popliteal artery after many years of exposure. Entrapment syndrome is a rare cause of intermittent claudication (peripheral arterial occlusive disease PaVK), which particularly affects younger patients where a circulatory disorder due to atherosclerosis is absolutely unlikely and implausible.
The treatment of leg artery disease aims to improve blood circulation, alleviate symptoms and prevent complications. The most important treatment approaches are
Surgical interventions:
Minimally invasive measures are unfortunately not possible for compression syndromes. On the one hand, the constricting muscle cords must be removed, and on the other hand, it may be necessary to peel off (endarterectomy) or bridge a long-distance occlusion (bypass operation), in which a bypass vessel is implanted to restore the blood flow. Surgical bypassing is required for aneurysms.
The symptoms of leg artery disease depend on the severity and stage of the disease. Common signs are
Pain when walking (intermittent claudication, intermittent claudication):
Typically, pain occurs in the calves when walking or running fast, which disappears again after a short period of rest. This condition, known as “intermittent claudication”, is a classic symptom of PAD.
Sensation of cold and numbness:
The affected legs may feel colder than the rest of the body and numbness may occur.
Changes to the skin and nails:
Poor circulation can lead to pale or bluish skin, slow healing of wounds and brittle nails.
Severe, unquenchable pain:
In advanced stages of PAD, pain also occurs at rest, especially at night, and open wounds (ulcers) or tissue death may occur.
Conventional treatment of constrictive and dilatative pathologies of the leg arteries
Bypass surgery including pedal bypass surgery
Endoscopic bypass vein harvesting
Vein and plastic bypass system for vascular occlusions and dilatations
