At North Orlando Surgical Group, we are proud to have established a unique surgical practice characterized by superior skills and extraordinary services both to the patient we care for as well as their referring physicians. We are recognized in Central Florida for our ability to perform complex procedures in the least invasive way. Our attentive staff is focused on providing the highest level of personal services and are committed to making every patient’s surgical experience as comfortable and convenient as it can be.
Atherosclerosis is a disease of the arteries, sometimes called hardening of the arteries. It occurs when narrowing develops from plaque and clot. Several factors can contribute to the development of atherosclerosis:
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Aging
• Smoking cigarettes and the use of other tobacco/nicotine products
Symptoms of atherosclerosis can be cramping in your calves, thighs, or buttocks when walking distance, cold or discolored feet, wounds that won’t heal, or cold painful toe tips that wake you up at night. Your doctors will perform a pulse exam of your legs and order a lower extremity arterial ultrasound with pressures and waveforms in the presence of these symptoms. If you are found on ultrasound to have a narrowing in one of your arteries your surgeon will either order a CT angiogram or aortogram with runoff to evaluate the narrowing further.
There are several types of arterial bypasses available, depending upon the artery that is diseased and the skill of your surgeon. Occasionally a patient will have narrowing in both the iliac arteries as well as the aorta. In this case you will be offered an aorto bi-femoral bypass. This is a procedure in which your surgeon will use a piece of manmade material to bypass the area of narrowing and provide an increase of blood flow to your legs. An incision will be made in the abdomen and in both groins to allow the surgeon access to the arteries. Once the procedure is completed you will spend a couple of days in the hospital. You will be encouraged to walk as much as possible while inpatient as well as when you return home. You will be asked to call our office as soon as you get home to schedule a follow up appointment in two weeks.
Atherosclerosis is a disease that can be difficult to treat. Patients who develop narrowing in their arteries usually have this type of disease in all of the blood vessels in their body. It can be a challenge to come up with a treatment plan due to this, which is why choosing a surgeon with experience and skill is so vitally important. The doctors here at North Orlando Surgical Group have this experience and skill, and are here to offer you their expertise to treat your pain and save your legs. If you have been diagnosed with atherosclerosis call our office for an appointment today!