If your foot or leg skin has turned a distinctive color, don’t be surprised if you fail to experience any symptoms. Several factors can cause discolorations, and some may not necessarily have signs. The only thing you can do is to seek medical attention for diagnosis and treatment. Mostly discoloration is caused by a vascular problem and should be treated as soon as possible to avoid complications.
For a Mesa foot discoloration specialist, contact Kirk Minkus, MD who specializes in treating veins and artery problems related to foot or leg discoloration. Dr. Minkus provides a comprehensive approach to your condition, depending on the cause of the discoloration.
Causes of Foot Discoloration
Bruising, poor blood circulation, and diseases can cause discolorations on your foot. This can be due to injuries, Raynaud’s phenomenon, lupus, peripheral arterial disease (PAD), chronic venous insufficiency, or diabetes.
Diagnosis
Several diagnostic procedures can be recommended to pinpoint the cause of the discoloration on your foot. They include:
Physical examination
Your provider can tell if your pulse is weak or nonexistent, indicating peripheral artery disease. Your blood pressure on the foot can also be checked and your wound healing ability examined.
Blood Tests
When checking for cholesterol and diabetic symptoms, a blood test is the best diagnostic tool to use. It can also be used to give supporting details to any suspected condition.
Ultrasound
This procedure allows your doctor to see your blood vessel’s images and can help identify any obstructions that might be causing the complications.
Ankle–Brachial Index
This is the comparison of the blood pressure on your ankle and that on your arm. A blood pressure cuff is used to take the measurements that are further evaluated with ultrasound.
Foot and Leg Discoloration Treatment
There are no specific treatments for foot discoloration since this is a symptom indicating a bigger problem. Depending on the cause of the discoloration, several procedures can be recommended. They include:
Chronic Venous Insufficiency Treatment
Some conservative measures, such as stockings, can be used to treat chronic venous insufficiency. However, minimally invasive procedures can be used as skin discoloration can indicate a more advanced venous disease. They can include endovenous laser ablations, sclerotherapy, VenaSeal glue ablation, and phlebectomy. Some medications can be prescribed to prevent blood clots, lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, or relieve pain.
Peripheral Arterial Disease Treatment
It involves using an interventional procedure to clear away the atherosclerotic plaque. Dr. Minkus has extensive experience in atherectomy and angioplasty and threads a catheter to the blockage through your blood vessels. The plaque can be removed with a laser or shaved away by a mechanical device, or it can be pushed flat against the arterial wall by an inflated balloon.
Dr. Minkus can also insert a stent that keeps the artery open to prevent future blockages. However, this is only done in more advanced cases.
Medications
Some medications can be prescribed to prevent blood clots, lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, or relieve pain.
Lifestyle Changes
Several lifestyle changes can be useful in managing foot discoloration and preventing it from worsening. They include losing weight, improving your diet, stopping smoking, and exercising. This improves circulation and helps your body to function more efficiently.
In the future, the best thing to do is work closely with a specialist who can help you alleviate pain and improve your level of physical activity. To learn more about foot discoloration, you can contact Kirk Minkus, MD, and get the expert care you deserve. Dr. Minkus has extensive experience in atherectomy and angioplasty and threads a catheter to the blockage through your blood vessels. The plaque can be removed with a laser or shaved away by a mechanical device, or it can be pushed flat against the arterial wall by an inflated balloon.
