Leg pain that occurs only during physical activity is a symptom of peripheral artery disease (PAD). If you have this type of leg pain, the experienced team at My Choice Imaging, LLC in Cleveland, Texas, recommend scheduling an arterial ultrasound to see if you have PAD. Arterial ultrasounds are imaging tests that create a visual map of the arteries in your legs, identifying narrowing and blockages. Call the diagnostic imaging center today or book an appointment online.
Arterial ultrasounds are imaging tests that use high-frequency sound waves to create images of the arteries in your arms and legs. This ultrasound also includes a Doppler ultrasound, an advanced ultrasound test that shows the movement of blood through the arteries.
My Choice Imaging, LLC is a state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging center that performs arterial ultrasounds.
Your doctor may request an arterial ultrasound if you have symptoms that suggest circulation problems in the peripheral arteries, the arteries that supply oxygen-rich blood to your arms and legs.
Atherosclerosis is a circulation disorder that occurs when plaque (cholesterol and minerals) builds up along the wall of the arteries, affecting the flow of blood. Atherosclerosis can occur in any artery in the body, including those in the legs.
Leg pain during exercise, called claudication, is a common symptom of atherosclerosis in the legs, known as peripheral artery disease (PAD). If you have this type of leg pain or nonhealing leg wounds, then you may need an arterial ultrasound to confirm or rule out PAD.
Having PAD increases your risk factor of a heart attack or stroke.
The team at My Choice Imaging, LLC explains what you can expect during your arterial ultrasound before starting the test. You don’t have to prepare for the test unless otherwise directed by your doctor or the radiology team.
The team has you change into an exam gown, and then you lie on your back on the cushioned ultrasound table. The radiology technician applies a special gel on the skin over the testing area. They place the ultrasound transducer on the gel and move it around.
The transducer sends sound waves into your body that bounce off the blood vessels and return to the transducer. A computer translates the sounds into images that you can see on a computer monitor.
Arterial ultrasounds at My Choice Imaging, LLC take about 30-60 minutes.
You can resume your usual activities following your arterial ultrasound at My Choice Imaging, LLC. The radiologist reviews the images and writes a report that they send to your referring doctor. Your doctor reviews the results of your ultrasound with you and what happens next.
Call My Choice Imaging, LLC today or use the online booking button to schedule your arterial ultrasound.