Many patients live with peripheral artery disease (PAD) for years with little to no symptoms. Sometimes the disease can progress with no warning and has been known to lead to amputation. Read what real patients have gone through in seeking help, getting a diagnosis, receiving treatment and restoring their quality of life.
Patient Stories:
Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI)
Early Intervention Can be Key for Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI)
Watch Mark's CLI Story
Mark Wright, 60
A few years ago, I was on dialysis for nine months while waiting for a kidney transplant. During that time, I started to have issues with my feet going numb. The dialysis made it harder to manage my type 2 diabetes and I thought it might be diabetic neuropathy. Once I had the transplant, I felt great, but I still had some numbness in my feet.
A couple of months after my surgery, I was playing golf and walked for several hours. I ended up with a small blister on my toe. The blister got infected and would not heal. When I saw a foot doctor to treat my infected toe, he tried some treatments that were unsuccessful and then recommended I see avascular surgeon.
I was not getting enough blood flow to my foot so my wound was not healing.”
Road to Diagnosis and Treatment
After seeing several different doctors about my toe, I was nervous about the possibility of losing my foot. I was not getting enough blood flow to my foot so my wound was not healing (a symptom of CLI). A surgeon tried a balloon but it did not work out in my case. I did some research and found that the Mayo Clinic was placing stents in the leg to increase blood flow to feet. I traveled there to get the procedure in my right leg and it went well. I was able to keep my foot and it healed properly.
About a year later, I started to have similar issues with my left leg. I found a local clinic who was also placing stents and developed a great relationship with the doctors there. We tried several treatments to address my condition and in the end, I had stents put in my left leg as well. The stent procedure was a success and I now have better blood flow to my foot. I am doing well and looking forward to playing golf again.
The stent procedure was a success and I now have better blood flow to my foot.”
How Others Can Take the Step Toward Better Health
I feel that some of my issues may have resulted from my diet and exercise choices earlier in life. I would tell others to watch what you eat and make sure you exercise. If you have numbness or wounds, go to your doctor. Don’t wait because if you are not getting good blood flow to your feet, it will not heal properly. I stay on top of things now and I am very quick to address any new issues with my doctors.
Model for illustrative purpose only.
Staying Positive about Life with Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI)
Jerry Swindle, 75
Four years ago, I traveled to a family reunion and noticed that I couldn’t walk very far. My leg would give out and start hurting. I thought it was strange but didn’t do anything about it for a year. I only went to my doctor when I started having problems with my big toe. My doctor referred me to a podiatrist when my toe nail fell off.
Once I saw the podiatrist, he sent me on to a vascular doctor. I didn’t really know what was happening to me but my big toe turned black. After seeing the vascular doctor, I found out that I was not getting enough blood flow in my feet which is a symptom of peripheral artery disease (PAD). Things only got worse and I got a wound on my foot that wouldn’t heal.
My big toe turned black and I got a wound on my foot that wouldn’t heal.”
Road to Diagnosis and Treatment
I was treated at a wound center, but at that point my foot was turning dark and it was really painful. My surgeon did an ultrasound to check the blood flow in my legs and found significant blockage. I went through several procedures to try and restore blood flow but nothing worked. This went on for over a year.
After five procedures, I was told I would lose my foot. That was hard for me to hear. I had the amputation below the knee and went through a tough recovery period. Now I have a prosthetic leg and I can get around pretty well. I know I’ll never be 100 percent again, but I am thankful for what I can do.
After losing my foot, I am thankful forwhat I can do.”
How Others Can Take the Step Toward Better Health
I don’t know what caused this to happen, but I would tell people to take care of their health. Watch what you eat, exercise and stop smoking. Talk to your doctor and follow their advice. Do the best you can and don’t wait to get help.
Model for illustrative purposes only.
Not Letting Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI) Hold Him Back
Model for illustrative purposes only.
Douglas Powers, 67
As an athlete for most of my life, I have always embodied a competitive spirit and a passion for staying healthy and fit. Not only did I experience success in my athletic pursuits, I also accomplished a lot in my sales and marketing career.
I felt on top of the world until my health began to decline rapidly about a decade ago. What used to be easy for me—exercise and simple things like walking—began to take its toll. I would experience miserable pain in my calf, which my girlfriend at the time would help to massage away. But it would come back immediately after she stopped. My foot felt tingly, heavy, and constantly in pain—pain that was so sharp and stabbing that it sent shock waves up my leg. It was as if my foot had gone to sleep and never returned to normal. And then a purple and deep red discoloration started to develop on my foot and I couldn’t move my toes. I couldn’t walk.
I couldn’t believe what was happening to me. With a last name like Powers, I always thought I could power through anything. I thought I could overcome this. I could beat it. I needed the strength at the time because it took eight procedures and two major surgeries before doctors discovered that I had Factor V, a blood clotting disorder.
I felt on top of the world until my health began to decline rapidly about a decade ago. What used to be easy for me—exercise and simple things like walking—began to take its toll.”
Road to Diagnosis and Treatment
My disorder led to a major clot in one of my legs. After seeking a second opinion from a top cardiovascular surgeon, we tried one last surgery: an angioplasty balloon that was inserted during a vein bypass procedure. The doctor hoped the balloon would break things up, but it only led to more clots and a condition called critical limb ischemia (CLI), a serious disease that occurs when there is significant blockage in the arteries. I was on massive amounts of blood thinners at the time, but it didn’t change much: I ended up having my leg amputated.
I experienced tremendous emotions after I lost my leg. I received no support from the hospital. It was terrible psychologically, especially as I fought several infections thereafter. But I picked myself up, rebuilt my life and vowed not to let becoming an amputee ruin my future. In fact, I embraced it by becoming an amputee triathlete and mentor.
I really felt like I was on the right track until I started to notice the same symptoms in my remaining leg six months ago. It was very distinctive and I immediately had a suspicion that something was wrong. I went back into the hospital and they discovered a blood clot that dislodged from my heart and went to my leg. The doctor said that there were no viable arteries or veins below the knee and that they were going to have to amputate my other leg above the knee. Already an amputee, it was extremely discouraging to learn that I would lose my other leg. I couldn’t believe it was happening again—and worse, my condition began to deteriorate rapidly as painful ulcers developed due to lack of circulation in my foot.
A week before my scheduled procedure, I ended up in the wound care clinic and I began a friendly conversation with a doctor. She expressed her concern for my condition and recommended I see her right away to try one last procedure to save my leg. She described an IVUS procedure in which an ultrasound would be used to see directly into the blood vessel to help identify whether any viable blood supply could be restored and where. Thankfully, the doctor located an area that worked and she inserted a stent into my leg to help sustain the newly opened vessel. I showed up to her clinic the next day and about five hours after the IVUS and stent procedure, the blood flow in my leg was completely restored. And now five months later, my foot has healed and I’m back to my normal routine!
My condition began to deteriorate rapidly as painful ulcers developed due to lack of circulation in my foot.”
How Others Can Take the Step Toward Better Health
I believe in miracles–and the doctor I met was a godsend. If I hadn’t met her, I would have become a double amputee within a few days. Looking back at my experiences, I would advise others in similar situations to seek other opinions. These are complex cases and you need to find someone who has the expertise to help treat your specific condition. It is also important to find a doctor who will try all avenues before resorting to amputation.
If you do have to undergo an amputation, I would recommend seeking out a mentor, as you will need support and guidance. I feel I have helped others by mentoring them through the rough times; this in turn has helped me tremendously. And I would also recommend taking the step to embrace the new you. I did this by performing comedy, by swimming from Alcatraz to San Francisco, and cycling from San Francisco to San Diego in seven days to raise money to buy adaptive equipment for children.
This is how I overcame my “ability” as I chose not to call it a disability. Although some days I wish I had my leg back, I would not trade in the wisdom and personal growth I’ve gained from my experiences.
Model for illustrative purpose only.
Five hours after the procedure, the blood flow in my leg was completely restored and now five months later, my foot has healed and I’m back to my normal routine!”
More Patient Stories
PAD Stories
Many PAD patients experience a gradual decline in activity level and quality of life which can go unnoticed for years. Learn about Joe’s suspicions and his perseverance to seek help.
DVT Stories
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can strike quickly with little notice. Learn more about Reid’s condition and his road to recovery.
DVD Stories
Patients with deep venous disease (DVD) often go through years of suffering with worsening symptoms and other underlying conditions. Learn about Melanie’s path to uncovering an underlying condition and her road to restoring her health.
Helpful Resources
PVD Doctor
Discussion Guide
Get helpful tips and advice on how to talk to your doctor about a PVD screening.
CLI Brochure
Find out more information on CLI by downloading this helpful brochure.
Third-Party Resources
Helpful Websites
Apps
A mobile app built by cardiologists, to simplify understanding of most cardiac and peripheral vascular conditions and treatments.
Find a Doctor that Treats CLI
If you think you may have CLI, it is important to get help. Talk to your doctor, or use our Doctor Finder tool below to find a CLI specialist near you.
Raghotham Patlola
5003 Hardy St, Ste 200 | Hattiesburg, MS, 39402
Bruce Brenner
200 S. Orange Ave | Livingston, NJ, 7052
Ernest Conti
3929 Mercy Drive | McHenry, IL, 60050
Sanjeev Trehan
6151 South Yale Ave Suite 1304 | Tulsa, OK, 74136
Tara Balint
2010 Health Campus Drive | Harrisonburg, VA, 22801
Stephen Bauer
1445 East Putman Ave, 1st Floor | Old Greenwich, CT, 6870
Deepak Nair
600 N Cattlemen Rd | Sarasota, FL, 34232
David Showalter
600 North Cattlemen Rd | Sarasota, Florida, 34232
Andrew Olinde
5131 O'Donovan Drive 301 | Baton Rouge, LA, 70808
Allison Barone
250 Engle Street | Englewood, NJ, 7631
Thomas Lutz
15 Tower Ct Suite 200 | Gurnee, IL, 60031
Mark Iafrati
800 Washington st | Boston, MA, 2111
Jerry Chen
2775 Laurel Street, Room 4203 | Vancouver, BC, V5Z1M9
Jonathan Bowman
495 Hawley Lane, Suite 2-A | Stratford, CT, 6614
Paul Vitulli
915 W Monroe St | Jacksonville, FL, 32004
Douglas Dorsay
600 North Cattlemen Rd | Sarasota, Florida, 34232
Carl Fastabend
501 Dr. Michael DeBakey Drive (3rd Floor) | Lake Charles, LA, 70601
Thomas Lee
131 Madison Avenue 2nd Floor | Morristown, NJ, 7960
Peter Swischuk
3109 Stirling rd. Suite 100 | Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33312
David Draughn, FACS, RVT, RPVI
15825 John J Delaney Dr | Charlotte, NC, 28277
Joe Viramontes
960 N 16th Street Suite 108 | Springfield, OR, 97477
Michael Sergi
75 Kings highway Cutoff, Suite 4B | Fairfield, CT, 6824
Manish Chauhan
2200 Park bend | Austin, TX, 78757
James Cunningham
8767 Perimeter Park Blvd | Jacksonville, FL, 32216
Nouri Al-Khaled
4400 W 95th Street, Suite 306 | Oak Lawn, IL, 60453
Cindy Sturt
200 S. Orange Ave | Livingston, NJ, 7039
Jesus Jimenez
2800 S Seacrest Dr. Suite 200 | Boyton Beach, FL, 33435
Andrei Pop
800 Biesterfield Road | Elk Grove Village, IL, 60007
Ediberto Soto-Cora
1139 Caper Rd | El Paso, TX, 79925
Kaveh Shahmohammadi
1449 Old Waterbury Rd, Suite 101 | Southbury, CT, 6488
Lori Pounds
7703 Floyd Curl Drive | SanAntonio, Texas, 78229
Alex Caballero
1879 Nightinglae Ln | Tavares , Florida, 32778
Thomas Levin
10837 South Cicero Avenue Suite 200 | Oak Lawn, IL, 60453
Leandro Perez
8188 Jog Rd. Suite 100 | Boyton Beach, FL, 33427
Jose Almeida
1501 S Miami Ave. | Miami Beach, FL, 33129
Saba Khan
800 Biesterfield Road | Elk Grove Village, IL, 60007
Jordan Knepper
5325 Elliot Drive, Suite 101 | Ypsilanti, MI, 48197
Jason Andre
12720 McManus Blvd, Suite 303 | Newport News, VA, 23602
Micheal Ayad
300A Faunce Corner Rd N | Darthmouth, MA, 02908
Yazan Khatib
Suite #160, FL, 32256
Santhosh Mathews
316 Manatee Ave W | Bradenton, FL, 34205
Patricio Rosa
601 N Flamingo Rd. Suite 408 | Pembroke Pines, FL, 33028
Akhilesh Sista
2315 Broadway 4th floor | New York, NY, 10024
Kathleen Gibson
1135 116th Avenue NE, Suite 305 | Bellevue, WA, 98004
James Sampson
101 Bodin Circle 60 SGCS/SGCH | Travis AFB, CA, 94535
Brian Heeringa
880 Munson Ave, Suite A | Traverse City, MI, 49686
Ravi Chandra
1920 SW 20th Place | Ocala, Florida, 34471
Vaqar Ali
7011 AC Skinner Parkway | Jacksonville, FL, 32256
David Burkart
4801 College Blvd | Leawood, KS, 66214
Asad Sawar
3010 E. 138th Avenue Suite 12 | Tampa, FL, 33613
Andrew Barleben
9434 Medical Center Dr. | La Jolla, CA, 92037
Gennady Geskin
6637 State Route 30 | Jeannette, PA, 15644
William Grande
8200 east Belleview Ave Suite 600e | Greenwood Village, CO, 80111
Jeffrey Carr
1783 Troup Highway | Tyler, TX, 75701
Vincent Digiovanni
Riddle Health Center 3, 1098 W Baltimore Pike, Suite 3308 | Media, PA, 19063
Ido Weinberg
55 Fruit St | Boston, MA, 02114
Dale Buchbinder
1212 York Road | Lutherville, MD, 31093
Paul Gagne
85 Old Kings Highway North | Darien, CT, 6820
Vasco Marques
3010 E. 138th Avenue Suite 12 | Tampa, FL, 33613
Scott Koss
725 American Ave | Waukesha, WI, 53188
Janardhan Srinivasan
2232 Wilborn Avenue | South Boston, VA, 24592
Steve Lin
1401 Harrodsburg Rd Ste A300 | Lexington, KY, 40509
Kais Yehyawi
6375 W US 6 | Portage, IN, 46368
Diego Hernandez
43700 Woodward Avenue, Suite 207 | Bloomfield Hills, MI, 48302
Deepak Sudheendra
3400 Spruce Street | Philadelphia, PA, 19104
Fuad Rafidi
23101 Sherman Place | West Hills, CA, 91307
Thomas Kerr
19189 N Dale Mabry Hwy | Lutz, FL, 33548
Hesham Fakhri
3010 E. 138th Avenue Suite 12 | Tampa, FL, 33613
Aaron Hurd
630 13th Street Suite 250 | Augusta, GA, 30901
Sunil Rayan
9850 Genesee Ave | La Jolla, CA, 92037
David Lipski
6420 Dutchmans Pkwy Suite 180 | Louisville, KY, 40205
Rias Ali
4740 Mile Stretch Drive | Holiday, FL, 34690
Jed Peterson
10123 SE Market Street | Portland, OR, 97216
Constantino Pena
8900 North Kendall Drive | Miami, FL, 33176
Zahi Nassoura
2710 Alameda Ave | Burbank, CA, 91505
Nader Chadda
6633 Forest Ave Ste 302 | New Port Richey, FL, 34653
Richard Ofstein
8075 N Shadeland Ave Ste 200 | Indianapolis, IN, 46037
Robert Davies
1301 Sigman Road, NE Suite 130 | Conyers, GA, 30012
Elizabeth Brooke Spencer, MD, FSIR
8200 east Belleview ave Suite 600 E | Greenwood Village, CO, 80111
Mazen Abu-Fadel
825 NE 10th St #2500 | Oklahoma City, OK, 73104
David Frankel
10666 N. Torrey Pines Rd. | La Jolla, CA, 92037
Patricia Thorpe
333 W Thomas Rd, Suite 207A | Phoenix, AZ, 85013
Peder Horner
1746 Cole Boulevard | Lakewood, CO, 80401
Fuad Rafidi
2710 | Burbank, CA, 91505
Gene Tanquilut
20060 Governors Drive Suite 102 | Olympia Fields, IL, 60461
Kannan Natarajan
8433 Harcourt Rd. Suite 100 | Indianapolis, IN, 46260
Charles Ross
95 Collier Road NW Suite 5015 | Atlanta, GA, 30309
Windsor Ting
1468 Madison Avenue or 1190 Fifth Avenue | New York, NY, 10029
Dev Mangalat
705 Jesse Jewell Parkway 125 | Gainseville, GA, 30501
Arun Jagannathan
23120 South LaGrange Road | Frankfort, IL, 60423
Michael Flisak
3231 South Euclid Avenue, Suite 207A | Berwyn, IL, 60402
Shahin Pourrabbani
3680 Imperial Highway | Lynwood, CA, 90262
Joe Viramontes, MD
960 N 16th Street | Springfield, OR, 97477
Blaine Borders
102 Thomas Rd. Suite 205 | West Monroe, LA, 71291
Pat Neville
4600 Memorial Dr. Suite 240 | Belleville, IL, 62226
Charles Wyble
61 Witcher Street, Suite 2100 | Marietta, GA, 30060
David Gillespie
363 Highland Ave | Fall River, MA, 2720
Polly Kokinos
2255 S. Bascom Avenue #200 | Campbell, CA, 95008
Howard Roth
23120 South LaGrange Road | Frankfort, IL, 60423
Anthony Avino, MD, FACS
4750 Water Avenue, Suite 500 | Savannah, GA, 31410
Murat Sor
3833 Fairfax Drive | Arlingston, VA, 22205
Mahesh Raju
3825 highland ave | downers Grove, IL, 60515
Kenneth Wright
19189 N Dale Mabry Hwy | Lutz, FL, 33548
Rick Coats
4600 Memorial Dr # 240 | Belleville, IL, 62260
Sendhil Subramanian
7130 Mt. Zion Blvd, Suite #10 | Jonesboro, GA, 30236
Richard Pin
363 Highland Ave | Fall River, MA, 2720
James McPherson
4644 Lincoln Blvd. Suite 500 | Marina del Rey, CA, 90292
Ben Marson
85 Old Kings Highway N, 1st Floor | Darien, CT, 6820
E. Jerry Cohn Jr., MD, FACS
4750 Water Avenue, Suite 500 | Savannah, GA, 31410
George Hemstreet
100 Rice Mine Road Loop | Tuscaloosa, AL, 35406
Harold Tabaie
18905 Sherman Way | Reseda, CA, 91335
Alberto Gonzalez
19189 N Dale Mabry Hwy | Lutz, FL, 33548
Ayaz Malik
1035 Bellevue Ave #500 | St. Louis, MO, 63117
Isabel Newton
200 W Arbor Dr. | San Diego, CA, 92103
Michael Ayad
363 Highland Avenue | Fall River, MA, 2720
Jozsef Lukacs
24800 S.E. Stark St. | Gresham, OR, 97030
Timothy Manoni
85 Old Kings Highway N, 1st Floor | Darien, CT, 6820
Larry Horesh, MD
4750 Water Avenue, Suite 500 | Savannah, GA, 31410
Amiel Moshfegh
11411 Brookshire Ave | Downey, CA, 90241
Lev Pukin M.D
2560 Ocean Ave | Brooklyn, NY, 11229
Parag Patel
6633 Forest Ave #300 | New Port Richey, FL, 34653
Hoang Nguyen
2 Good Samaritan Way Suite 220 | Mt. Vernon, IL, 62864
(Charles) Daniel Procter
725 Jesse Jewell Parkway #125 | Gainesville, GA, 30501
Michael Naumann
7777 Alvarado Road, Suite 108 | La Mesa, CA, 91942
Stephen Lalka
1001 Blythe Blvd., Suite 300 | Charlotte, NC, 28203
Taras Kucher
495 Hawley Lane, Suite 2-A | Stratford, CT, 6614
Junyang Lou
520 Medical Center Drive | Medford, OR, 97504
Michael Lepore
600 North Cattlemen Rd | Sarasota, FL, 34232
Robert Freedman
3311 Prescott Road | Alexandria, LA, 71301
Daniel Simon
347 Mount Pleasant Ave Suite 100 | West Orange, NJ, 7052
Daniel McDevitt
1035 Southcrest Dr, Suite 250 | Stockbridge, GA, 30281
Marvin Padnick
350 South 40th Street | Muskogee, OK, 74401
Patrick Mahon
87 McGregor Street | Manchester, NH, 3102
Jamie Strachan
1449 Old Waterbury Rd, Suite 101 | Southbury, CT, 6488
Aaron Aday
75 Francis St | Boston, MA, 02115
Russell Samson
600 North Cattlemen Rd | Sarasota, FL, 34232
This tool is not inclusive of all specialists. Consult with your insurance provider to find specialists that are covered within your network.
Disclaimer
The opinions and clinical experiences presented herein are for informational purposes only. Individual results may vary depending on a variety of patient specific attributes and related factors. Dr. Raghu Kolluri has been compensated by Philips for his services in preparing and providing this material for Philips further use and distribution. The patients featured on this page are not patients of Dr. Kolluri.
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