What Causes Leg Pain When Diagnosed With Acute Diabetes?

Posted on Mon, 31 Jul 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 31 Jul 2017 Answered on

Tue, 22 Aug 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : My wife had a kidney/pancreas transplant in 2000. Her kidney recently rejected. Complications from the acute diabetes left her with poor blood flow in the legs and resultant poor blood flow. She had non-healing wounds (osteomylites) . She had an angiogram & angioplasty several weeks ago. She is now in pain in the leg and has trouble walking due to the pain. I was told that there would be pain for several weeks while the leg "re-vasculates." What is this and approximately how long should the pain last?

Answered by Dr. Mirjeta Guni (42 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
About angioplasty;

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for asking!
I have gone carefully through your concern.
After a successful revascularisation procedure, the clinical improvement is seen within a week and after 2-3 weeks there is no more pain.
So, in your wife's case, if the pain intensity continues to be the same, you should see the angiologist for an evaluation of the angioplasty.
Angioplasty uses a medical "balloon" to widen blocked arteries. The balloon presses against the inside wall of the artery to open the space and improve blood flow.
A metal stent is often placed across the artery wall to keep the artery from narrowing again. I do not know if the Stent is placed or the angiologist tried only to open the arteries with the balloon.
Probably she needs metallic scents to keep them open.
Hope the information will help.
Kind regards,
Dr.Mirjeta

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D