Critical Limb Ischemia is also known as Critical Limb-Threatening Ischemia. It is most often characterized by a lack of blood flow to a certain region of the body. Because blood flow farther away from the heart is often slower even in a healthy person, Critical Limb Ischemia (CLTI) can take over quickly. However, you may not notice the symptoms right away.

 

Plaque buildup in your arteries makes the condition that much worse, causing the blood flow in these regions to worsen. As a result, it can be difficult to maintain motor function and your quality of life.

 

Other conditions like Peripheral Artery Disease make it difficult for your body to keep up with the hardening of the arteries and any blockages that may occur. Because conditions such as this have a high rate of comorbidity, it is important that you reach out to our team at MVP Endovascular Center as soon as possible.

When you notice the symptoms listed below, it is possible that your case of CLTI is progressing faster than you think. This is often due to the fact that the symptoms do not show themselves until the condition is quite severe. We also encourage our patients to review the risk factors for the condition so that you know when it might be a good time to visit our office for a consultation.

 

Common symptoms of CLTI include:

 

• Cramping in the lower body
• Restless legs
• A numb or weak feeling in the legs
• Coolness in the feet and legs
• Brittle toenails and frequent infections in your nail beds
• Sores that do not heal

 

Because you may experience pain or cramping often, it helps to let your legs dangle off a bed or chair. You can rest after long periods of exercise or exertion, and you should attempt a few moments of activity every day even if you have a desk job or work from home.

 

When you have a blockage, the symptoms will be even more severe, including:

 

• Intense pain in your feet and legs
• Little to no pulse in the feet or legs
• Pale skin that is often cold
• Numbness in that region
• Weakness in your feet, legs, and joint

 

When you have an untreated case of this condition, make sure that you seek treatment as soon as possible. Without treatment, you could experience serious complications like gangrene of the affected limb or even amputation.

CLTI could be caused by a range of risk factors — some of which are simply not within your control. However, you generally know about these risk factors and should take steps to protect yourself.

 

The most common risk factors for CLTI are:

 

• Advanced age
• Family history of vascular conditions
• Being overweight or obese
• Smoking
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes or a family history of diabetes
• Diet high in fat and cholesterol
• Lack of exercise or activity

CLTI is simpler to diagnose when our team at MVP Endovascular Center can run a full set of tests on you or the patient. We can use an ultrasound and other tests to determine the nature of the problem and how best to solve it.

 

Moreover, we may catch your condition early when you come to us noting a family history of these issues or early warning signs. We are happy to help you avoid a more serious form of this condition, start a treatment plan, etc.

If you or a loved one requires diagnostics or treatment , reach out to us at MVP Endovascular at 313-791-3000 or contact us online. We ensure that you receive the most compassionate care. We are happy to customize your treatment plan, explain how to avoid a more severe version of your condition, and prevent the condition from worsening.