September is Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) Awareness Month and Methodist Hospital Specialty and Transplant staff wore their MHST-branded socks to raise awareness for PAD, diabetes, and the prevention of amputation. PAD is a leading and preventable cause of death in the United States. It affects nearly 20 million Americans and 200,000 of them suffer from avoidable amputations every year. PAD is a condition in which narrowed blood vessels reduce blood flow to the limbs. The socks signify the many wound care patients that can often only wear one shoe. Many times, a sock is the only outer garment that will fit over the patient’s foot.
“PAD is attributed to diabetes and smoking, which can lead to limb loss. It is important to identify the warning signs in order to take the appropriate measures,” says Boulos Toursarkissian, M.D., Vascular Surgeon and Endovascular Specialist at Methodist Hospital Specialty and Transplant.
Understanding the warning signs and risk factors associated with PAD is vital. This condition can lead to serious medical issues such as a heart attack, stroke, amputation, or even death if not quickly diagnosed and expertly treated. Some of the signs include cramping of the lower body, pain in the feet or toes, fatigue while walking, and wounds or sores in the lower body.
Screening for PAD is noninvasive, painless, and quick to obtain. Methodist Hospital Specialty and Transplant is the leading hospital in San Antonio for treating PAD. To learn more about our vascular services .