What do I need to know about numbness or burning pain?
If you notice numbness or burning pain in your foot, or you feel like your entire leg is on fire, pay attention to what your body is telling you and see a health care professional. You may be at risk for a serious condition called peripheral artery diseasePeripheral artery disease (PAD) is a disease in which plaque builds up in the arteries that carry blood to your head, organs, and limbs. Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, fibrous tissue, and other substances in the blood. (PADPeripheral Artery Disease, a potentially life threatening disease where plaque, like calcium, builds up along blood vessel walls, narrowing the arteries and reducing blood flow to the legs and feet.). PAD causes arteriesArteries are blood vessels that carry blood to your heart and other parts of your body. in the legs to become narrow and hardened, limiting blood flow to the legs and feet.
Learn More About PAD
Peripheral arteryArteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood to your heart and other parts of your body. disease (PAD) affects 20 million Americans.1 Knowing the signs and risk factors help with early detection. This may help broaden treatment options which range from non-invasive to invasive.
Make informed decisions and have open conversations with your physician and get a second opinion if amputationTo surgically remove all or part of a limb (leg, foot or toe) is recommended.
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Find a doctor – If you’re looking for a second opinion, we recommend that you talk to a PAD specialist. Click the button to find a PAD specialist near you.
What you should know:
- Left untreated, PAD can lead to amputation.
- Burning pain or numbness in your legs or feet can be caused by nerve damage. Nerve damage can be a result of diabetes(Diabetes mellitus) is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both.,19 one of the primary risk factors for PAD.21
- Pain from nerve damage may also be an indicator of critical limb ischemiaAlso potentially known as CLI, the most severe and deadly form of peripheral artery disease. (CLI), the worst form of PAD.19
Don’t accept numbness or burning pain as part of your “new normal.” The good news is that there are many treatment options for PAD. So don’t wait. Discuss your symptoms with your doctor now or talk with a PAD specialist about your condition.
Talk to Your Doctor
Only a health care professional can diagnose you with PAD. Our Symptom Quiz can help guide the conversation about your treatment options.
Take the Symptom Quiz
Click below to take the interactive Symptom Quiz. You can print your answers out and take them with you to a doctor to help guide your conversation about PAD.
Stop ignoring the signs. Talk to a PAD specialist. Take control of your health.