Arterial Lower Limb Ultrasound
Arterial lower limb ultrasound is an ultrasound of your lower limbs to assess for any narrowing of the arteries.
Through a hand-held transducer and gel applied directly on your skin, ultrasound uses non-radiation sound wave technology to create an echo image of the organs and vessels in your body.
The procedure is often performed to determine if reduced arterial blood flow could be causing pain in the legs when walking.
Other Cardiac Vascular Procedures
There is no particular preparation required for an arterial lower limb ultrasound.
You may wish to wear a loose and comfortable two-piece outfit. You will need to have your legs exposed for the procedure.
During an arterial lower limb ultrasound, you will be asked to lie on your back while the ultrasound transducer is moved over one or both of your legs to view the lower limb arteries.
An arterial lower limb ultrasound usually takes about 45 minutes.
An arterial lower limb ultrasound is a non-invasive procedure so you can return immediately to your usual everyday activities.
Your arterial lower limb ultrasound results will be reviewed and the report will be sent to your referring doctor. It is best to make an appointment with them to follow up on the results.
An arterial ultrasound is a non-invasive and painless test that evaluates the arteries in the legs.
The test is performed by the technologist who performs the ultrasound. You will be asked to lie on your back. The technologist will apply a warm, water-soluble gel to the transducer and move it back and forth over the skin of your leg. The test is painless and usually takes about 45 minutes.
A blocked artery in the leg is a circulation problem, and like any other circulation problem, it is accompanied by symptoms. The symptoms depend on the extent of the blockage and its nature.
A blocked artery in the leg generally causes pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness. In addition, it can also cause cold feet or feet that swell up.