Trouble Walking? It Might Be Vascular, Not Just Muscular

Staying active is one of the most important things you can do to preserve your health and wellness. But persistent leg pain can prevent you from moving around as much as you’d like. Anyone who experiences a change in their ability to walk with ease should work with a specialist to find answers and solutions.

At Laser Surgical Solutions RGV, PLLC, in McAllen, Rio Grande City, and Raymondville, Texas,  John Hovorka, MD, and Cynthia Salinas, MD, work with you closely to get to the bottom of your concerning symptoms and find workable solutions. 

If you’re not getting around as easily as you once were, it might have more to do with your vascular health than your muscle strength. Here’s what you should know. 

When are mobility issues linked to muscle strength?

Muscles play a significant role in mobility. They work in conjunction with your bones, ligaments, and tendons to create stability in your legs and enable movement. Whether you’re out for a leisurely stroll or running at full speed, muscles play a vital role in making motion possible. 

If you push yourself too far, you can easily pull or strain a muscle. Most people know the soreness that follows a day of heavy lifting or walking longer-than-normal distances. 

If you’ve been living a sedentary lifestyle for a period of time, or if an injury or health condition has kept you off your feet, your muscle strength can quickly decline, making it harder to move around normally. 

What does vascular health have to do with mobility?

If you’re having trouble walking, you might not immediately consider a problem with your vascular health as a potential culprit. But circulatory dysfunction can absolutely limit your mobility, and it isn’t always easy to detect the exact cause. 

All of the cells in your body’s soft tissues require oxygenated blood to thrive. When that flow of blood becomes limited, symptoms develop, which can include difficulty walking. 

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a common cause of leg pain and limited mobility. This condition develops when fatty deposits partially block the arteries in your lower extremities, limiting the amount of blood — and oxygen — that reaches your leg tissues, including muscles. 

Deep vein thrombosis is another potential cause, and happens when a blood clot forms in a deep vein in your leg. While not always painful, varicose veins can sometimes cause achy, uncomfortable leg sensations. 

What are signs of vascular-related mobility issues?

Understanding the symptoms of vascular problems can help you know when to seek expert care. If something is preventing blood from reaching your lower extremities, you might notice:

• Leg pain while walking
• Coldness in one leg or foot
• Sensation of weakness in the legs
• Feelings of heaviness in one or both legs
• Leg cramping after walking or climbing stairs
• Muscle pain that begins during exercise and resolves after rest
• You can only detect a weak pulse — or no pulse — in your ankle or foot

If you notice these symptoms, contact our team right away to schedule a diagnostic vascular ultrasound assessment. We’ll work to identify the source of your symptoms, provide targeted care for improved vascular function, and help restore pain-free mobility. 

Reach out to Laser Surgical Solutions, RGV, PLLC, to schedule an appointment at one of our offices in McAllen, Rio Grande City, or Raymondville, Texas, today.