Trouble Walking

Circulatory problems like peripheral artery disease (PAD) and chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) often affect mobility, resulting in trouble walking. If you regularly experience leg cramping or swelling, seek treatment immediately. At Laser Surgical Solutions RGV, PLLC, the vascular surgeons and wound care specialists often treat patients who have trouble walking. They can identify the underlying problem and prevent it from getting worse. Call the office in McAllen or Rio Grande City, Texas, to schedule an appointment, or book your visit online today.

If I have trouble walking, should I worry about a circulatory problem?

Trouble walking can happen for various reasons, but it often indicates poor circulation. Since your legs and feet are far from your heart, it takes a long time for oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood to reach those areas.

If you have plaque buildup from high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia) or diabetes, your blood vessels narrow, restricting circulation.

Vein problems, like chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), can damage your vein valves, causing blood to flow backward and pool. These things combined raise the risk of swelling, cramping, and pain that can significantly affect your mobility.

How can I know if my trouble walking is related to poor circulation?

Make an appointment at Laser Surgical Solutions RGV, PLLC, if:

• Your leg muscles feel sore or weak when you stand up or walk
• You experience a “pins and needles” sensation in your legs and feet
• Your leg muscles frequently tense and cramp
• You notice skin changes in your legs and feet, like discoloration
• Your legs and feet swell
• You have bulging, ropelike veins that are red or purple (varicose veins)

These symptoms indicate a circulatory problem. After an exam and diagnostic testing, the team can develop a custom treatment plan that reduces discomfort and restores your mobility.

How do your providers diagnose the cause of trouble walking?

Your Laser Surgical Solutions RGV, PLLC, provider reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms, including when your trouble walking started and if it’s worse at certain times, like after you first wake up. Tell your provider if you take prescription medication and if you’ve been diagnosed with health problems like diabetes or venous insufficiency.

Your provider examines your legs and feet, checking for skin changes, swelling, and ulcers (slow-healing, open wounds). They gently press on your legs and feet to identify sensitive spots and have you walk around the room to observe your gait (how you walk).

Your provider orders diagnostic tests, including blood work and a venous ultrasound. Blood work can identify problems like high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia)and high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). A venous ultrasound shows how well blood flows to your legs and feet.

How is trouble walking treated?

Laser Surgical Solutions RGV, PLLC, takes an integrative, minimally invasive approach to treating trouble walking. They could suggest:

• Wearing compression socks to improve blood flow in your legs
• Exercising regularly to support healthy circulation
• Eating a heart-healthy diet that reduces sodium and saturated fat intake
• Quitting smoking
• Reducing alcohol consumption
• Closing or removing varicose veins
• Prescription statins to prevent plaque from building up in your arteries
• Prescription blood thinners or antiplatelet medications
• Thrombolytics to prevent large, dangerous blood clots
• Custom orthotics (prescription shoe inserts) to take pressure off diabetic ulcers
• Blood pressure medication
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT)

Most people with trouble walking benefit from several treatments. The team monitors your symptoms at regular checkups, adjusting your treatment plan when needed.

If you have a blood clot, blocked arteries, or damaged vein valves, surgery might be necessary to repair the veins or reroute blood flow.

Call the nearest Laser Surgical Solutions RGV, PLLC, office to schedule an appointment, or book your visit online today.