Arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to the legs. Narrowing or blockage to the arteries - a condition known as peripheral vascular disease (PAD) - can cause cramping, pain or tiredness with walking or exercise. This exam looks for blockages and areas of narrowing by using ultrasound.
For this test, some clothing may need to be removed to allow the sonographer to evaluate the entire limb. Gel is applied to the area being examined, and a probe is run over this area to detect blockage. You may hear the sound of your blood flowing during the test.
The test takes approximately one hour to complete. No special preparation is necessary.
