Poor circulation in your legs and feet can alert you to systemic disease. When blood doesn’t flow properly to and from your legs and feet, it is often a sign of overall poor circulation in other areas such as the heart, kidneys or brain. If your legs feel sluggish and swollen or you have leg pain with no obvious cause, it could be a sign of poor circulation that needs to be checked out.
The first step for mysterious leg pain is determining the cause of the problem. Our experts at FCNY have extensive experience in resolving leg pain caused by arterial and venous issues. We can perform non-invasive vascular testing and have vascular consultants available to evaluate, help you identify the issue, and manage it.
Arterial Disease: Blocked or Slowing Blood Flow to Your Legs
The most common arterial disease affecting the legs is peripheral artery disease (PAD). PAD happens when your arteries—blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood from your heart to your feet—become narrowed or blocked due to fatty build up (plaque) on your arterial walls. Without enough blood flow, your feet can’t get the oxygen or nutrients they need to stay healthy. If left untreated, this can lead to serious complications like wounds that won’t heal or even tissue death.
Common signs of arterial disease include:
Claudication: Pain When Walking
If your legs cramp or ache after walking but feel better after a few minutes of rest, this could be claudication—a sign that your legs aren’t getting enough oxygen due to poor circulation.
Pain at Rest or When Sleeping
Pain in your feet when you’re lying down—especially at night—can mean that blood flow is so limited that your feet are starved for oxygen, even when resting.
Cold or Numb Feet and Toes
Poor circulation can make your feet feel cold, tingly, or numb, which can be more than just uncomfortable. It’s often an early sign of arterial issues.
Non-Healing Wounds and Sores
Cuts or blisters that don’t heal may signal that blood isn’t reaching your foot tissues well enough to support healing. These wounds need expert care to avoid infection or worse.
Gangrene: Black or Dying Tissue
Gangrene happens when tissue dies due to a complete loss of blood flow. This is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention to prevent life-threatening complications.
Venous Disease: Struggling Blood Flow from the Legs to Heart
Veins carry blood from your feet back up to your heart. When they don’t work properly—often due to weak blood valves—blood can pool in the legs, causing swelling, pain, and changes in skin. Venous disease, often called venous insufficiency, can become chronic and lead to serious infections or ulcers if not treated early.
Common signs to look for include:
Edema or Lymphedema: Leg Swelling
Swelling in the legs and feet—especially by the end of the day—can signal that fluid is building up because your veins or lymph system aren’t draining properly.
Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins that often appear on the legs. They may ache, itch, or feel heavy and are a common sign of poor vein function.
Skin Discoloration
If your skin appears reddish, brownish, or bluish around the ankles or lower legs, it could mean blood is pooling or leaking under your skin.
Dry, Itchy, or Leathery Skin
Venous disease can change the texture of your skin, making it itchy, thick, or leathery over time. These changes often happen slowly, but they’re a clear sign your circulation needs attention.
Ulcers and Infections
Open sores near the ankle or lower leg that won’t heal or keep coming back are often caused by poor vein function. These ulcers can be painful and are prone to infection without proper foot care.
Diabetic Issues and Circulation Problems
Diabetes affects both the arteries and veins, putting you at higher risk for serious foot issues due to poor circulation. Poor blood sugar control can also damage blood vessels and nerves, making it harder to feel injuries and for wounds to heal.
Managing diabetes and monitoring circulation is key to avoiding infections, ulcers, and even amputations. FCNY provides regular diabetic foot screenings and personalized foot care to help protect your long-term health.
When to Seek Treatment
Problems with circulation don’t go away on their own and catching them early can make a huge difference to your overall health. If you’re noticing changes in how your legs or feet look, feel, or heal, it’s time to see a specialist.
Treatment at FCNY
We offer full diagnostic testing and personal treatment plans to help you manage arterial and venous diseases, including services like:
- Wound care to manage pain and reduce infection
- Circulation tests to catch complications early
- Compression therapy to improve circulation
- Referrals as needed for patients with, or at high risk for, PAD (peripheral artery disease)
- Custom foot care plans tailored to your needs
- Physical therapy to get you back on your feet
Management and Prevention
We don’t just treat your symptoms—we help you identify and manage the root cause of your pain. With medicine, proper footwear, healthy lifestyle changes, and good hygiene, you can improve circulation, reduce your risks, and prevent future wounds or infections.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
If something feels off, don’t wait. Trust your instincts and trust your feet—they’re too important to ignore.
Our team is ready to help you move forward with confidence, comfort, and care that’s always one step ahead!
