Sometimes health complications are hidden in the legs

By Laura Briedis

If you are suffering from leg pain, swelling or numbness, don’t dismiss these symptoms as normal aches and pains that come with aging,” cautions Board certified cardiovascular and general surgeon Dr. Barry Zadeh, of Medina Vein & Vascular.

“Always listen to what your body is trying to tell you, as you usually know when something is not right,” he says.

Just ask Thresea, a Shelby resident who complained to her primary care physician about the pain she had in her legs. He was convinced it was all in her head. She knew, however, that the problem was real. She used to walk nine miles a day but had to stop due to the pain. It got so bad she could not even climb stairs without taking a break.

That’s when she visited Dr. Zadeh for a free leg screening. He diagnosed her with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), which causes arteries to narrow and results in cramping, pain and tiredness in the legs or hip muscles.

“I was in my 40s, so I thought I was too young to have artery problems,” comments Thresea. “Now after the procedure, I have no more pain and no longer take pain meds. And I’m dancing with my grandkids again. I feel like I have my life back.”

Similarly, Randy from Bucyrus had severe pain in his legs, calves and feet and had to walk with a cane. “I even developed leg ulcers from where I bumped my legs into things,” he says. “I could not put on shoes due to the pain and swelling.”

Since being treated by Dr. Zadeh, he has warmth and circulation in his feet and can walk without pain or a cane.

These are just a few of the thousands of arterial and venous procedures Dr. Zadeh has performed over the past 30 years.

One of the most common conditions Dr. Zadeh treats is Peripheral Artery Disease, a narrowing or blockage caused by the buildup of fatty plaque in the vessels in the legs or lower extremities that carry blood from the heart to the legs. This often causes, most notably, leg pain when walking.

“PAD is very prevalent in our society, especially in people who smoke, are obese, or have diabetes or high blood pressure,” he says. “If left untreated, PAD can result in a stroke, amputation or other serious medical issues. Our goal is to treat the condition before it gets advanced, so we offer free leg screenings to people who are experiencing leg pain.”

Pioneering a novel approach, Dr. Zadeh offers the Pedal Access Zero Contrast Revascularization procedure that can be done in an office setting without requiring a trip to the hospital. Working through an artery in the foot, Dr. Zadeh uses balloons, stents or lasers to open up blockages.

In the past, most doctors would access the artery through the groin. Recently, Dr. Zadeh has perfected the technique accessing the blockage through the foot, which is much safer and can be done in an office.

Dr. Zadeh also specializes in minimally invasive vein procedures and leg ulcer treatments.

If you suffer from leg pain or swelling caused by vein reflux disease, varicose veins, valve insufficiencies or ulcers of the extremities, Medina Vein & Vascular can bring you relief.

As one of the most experienced doctors in the country performing endovascular ablation, mechanical chemical ablation and ClariVein, Dr. Zadeh explains that these minimally invasive procedures use tiny catheters to close off a damaged vein. Once the vein is closed, blood is re-routed to other healthy veins. Following the procedure, a simple bandage is placed over the insertion site and patients can resume normal activities within a day.

For leg and foot ulcers, Medina Vein & Vascular’s multidisciplinary treatment may involve wound care and the treatment of the underlying arterial and vein disorders.

“We focus on all things legs,” says Dr. Zadeh. “Having healthy legs results in a healthier life. You are able to exercise, be more active, and simply move around easier, which leads to a richer and more fulfilling lifestyle.”

Medina Vein & Vascular is located at 3591 Reserve Commons Drive, Suite 201, in Medina. Call 330-723-VEIN (8346) for an appointment Or in Avon at 5343 Meadow Lane Court in Sheffield, 419-668-1155. For more information, visit LoveYourVeins.com.