What Causes Pain And Stiffness In Feet?
Question: hi I have been getting unexplained pain in my right foot (pins and needles, cramps. stiffness in toes etc) and some symptoms in my left foot also but not as bad as the right. I have been seeing a neuro for over 12 months and he's ruled out neuropathy, MS etc. All my blood work has been done and nothing there. My neuro suggested I see a podiatrist and he viewed some scans I had done on my right foot as a physio suggested a possible stress fracture a few months back. MRI and CT scans showed no stress fracture and nothing of any consequence was noted in the reports back to my GP from these scans. Yesterday the podiatrist viewed the scans and he reckons that I have calcification in my arteries that is restricting blood flow and was surprised that the report on the scans didnt pick this up as he could see it. I had raised vascular issues with my neuro before and he just checked my pulses in my feet and said that my pulses were strong and didn't comment any further. What do you think is it possible to have calcification but still have strong pulses? If the podiatrist is right is there anything that can be done with arteries that carry blood to your feet, are stent's inserted in these arteries or are they to small?
Brief Answer:
Yes he may be right other examinations needed...
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX!
First of all it's possible to have calcification of leg arteries and still having a strong pulse. For a proper evaluation I recommend the following examination:
- Doppler ultrasound of the legs.
- CT Leg angiography.
- Leg angiography.
Secondly if any blockage is confirmed (by the above examinations), then leg arteries stenting is a possibility. The decision of arteries stenting is based on the position of occlusion and vessel diameter.
Hope this was of help!
Dr. Benard
Yes he may be right other examinations needed...
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX!
First of all it's possible to have calcification of leg arteries and still having a strong pulse. For a proper evaluation I recommend the following examination:
- Doppler ultrasound of the legs.
- CT Leg angiography.
- Leg angiography.
Secondly if any blockage is confirmed (by the above examinations), then leg arteries stenting is a possibility. The decision of arteries stenting is based on the position of occlusion and vessel diameter.
Hope this was of help!
Dr. Benard
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj