If you pay close attention, you’ll notice that in pedestrianised areas, some people often stand in front of a shop window for several minutes. The reason is often not that they are captivated by a fantastic offer, but could be a leg plagued by pain. So-called ‘intermittent claudication’ is a common phenomenon, yet its effects are underestimated.
This is also the view of Dr Michael Lichtenberg, who, together with his team, specializes in the treatment of severe peripheral arterial occlusive disease. As an internationally renowned specialist in vascular diseases and as Head of the Department of Angiology at Hochsauerland Hospital, Dr Lichtenberg explains to us in an interview what makes intermittent claudication dangerous and how it can be treated.
Specialization in peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
Peripheral arterial disease is a sign of poor blood circulation in the legs. If an artery in the leg becomes blocked, this can even lead to the amputation of the leg or foot if left untreated. Dr Lichtenberg in Arnsberg mainly sees patients with complex conditions, often at an advanced stage. But what lies behind peripheral arterial disease? The cause of the blockage is atherosclerosis, the hardening of the arteries – often caused as a complication of diabetes or by risk factors such as obesity, smoking or a lack of exercise.
How can this occlusive disease be treated?
In addition to conventional methods, Dr Lichtenberg also uses two highly innovative procedures to dissolve the calcifications in the arteries. “We have two procedures that are very modern and innovative. Only two clinics in the whole of Germany can currently offer these surgical procedures – we are one of them,” explains Dr Lichtenberg.
In the first procedure for treating PAD, a vein is converted into an artery – the damaged artery is replaced by a healthy vessel, a vein. Using catheter technology, blood flow is diverted from the artery into the vein above the blockage. Although this procedure is very complex and expensive, it can successfully prevent a leg amputation. The second procedure works in principle like lithotripsy in urology, where gallstones, urinary stones and kidney stones are broken up. In peripheral arterial occlusive disease, the calcium deposits in the vessels are broken up, milled out and suctioned away – the blockage is cleared, and the vessels become supple again.
Experience – the key to a successful operation
“We have been using these two innovative procedures for some time now and have had excellent results. In addition to state-of-the-art technology, the know-how and expertise of the operating surgeon are, of course, crucial,” explains Dr Lichtenberg. Around 2,000 examinations take place at his clinic each year, 500 to 600 of which are performed by Dr Lichtenberg himself – that is 4 to 5 surgical procedures a day. In addition to this expertise, however, Dr Lichtenberg’s clinic also stands out for its intensive research and study work.
New prospects for high-risk patients as study participants
In the clinic’s own research center, patients in the terminal stage of severe arterial occlusion can benefit from newly developed procedures. This offers a further chance for patients who would otherwise have no prospects for treatment of PAD.
With this information from Dr Lichtenberg, many people are likely to view those who stop in front of a shop window for minutes on end because their legs can no longer carry them in a completely different light. ‘Intermittent claudication’ sounds so harmless, but it is anything but. At least it is good to know that there are now ways to help even patients with severe peripheral arterial occlusion in their legs. Dr Lichtenberg and his team have the means to treat such patients in a way that allows them to avoid leg or foot amputation in the long term.
ML214GB, LMG19 / Image source: (c) detailblick-foto, (c) VadimGuzhva, (c) New Africa, (c) crevis – Adobe Stock.
