Poor circulation in the lower limbs can be a serious cause for concern. When blood flow to the feet and ankles is reduced, the oxygen and nutrients that keep the lower limbs healthy can’t get to where they need to go. This can cause symptoms such as coldness, numbness, discoloration, and pain in the feet and ankles. The skin may become cracked and dry, and wounds that heal slowly and poorly are more likely to form on the feet. Poor circulation is almost always caused by an underlying health condition, such as diabetes or peripheral artery disease. Your chiropodist can perform quick and non-invasive screenings to determine if you have poor circulation. For more information about keeping your feet and ankles healthy, please consult with a chiropodist. 

When blood flow to a specific part of the body is reduced, you may experience symptoms of poor circulation. Poor circulation is most common in your extremities, like your legs and feet. Please consult with one of the chiropodists from Complete Family Footcare & Therapy. Our clinicians will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. 

Causes

Poor circulation isn’t a condition in itself. Instead, it results from other health issues. Therefore, it’s important to treat the underlying causes:

• Peripheral artery disease (PAD)

• Diabetes 

• Blood clots

• Varicose veins

• Obesity

• Raynaud’s disease 

Symptoms

Symptoms of poor circulation may include: 

• Numbness

• Tingling

• Throbbing or stinging pain in limbs

• Pain

• Muscle Cramps

Diagnosis

A chiropodist will perform a physical exam to detect pain and swelling, as well as an antibodies blood test to detect inflammatory conditions, such as Raynaud’s disease. It’s important to disclose any known family history of poor circulation and any related diseases. A blood sugar test, blood pressure test, ultrasound, or CT scan may also be performed.

Treatment

Treatments for poor circulation depend on what is causing it. Compression socks may be used to reduce pain and swelling. An exercise program may be recommended to improve circulation. Various medications may be prescribed to manage underlying conditions that may contribute to poor circulation.  

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.