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Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) can lead to severe leg pain, non-healing wounds, and, in advanced cases, amputation. Many cases can be treated with early diagnosis and timely care.
If you are experiencing leg pain when walking, foot ulcers, wounds that will not heal, or cold and numb feet, seek medical attention promptly. Even if you have been told that amputation may be necessary, there may still be options to restore blood flow and preserve your limb.
At Spectrum Surgery, our vascular specialist specialises in minimally invasive limb salvage procedures for patients with PAD and complex arterial disease.
If you are concerned about your symptoms or have been advised to consider amputation, contact us to discuss your treatment options.
Dr Tay Jia Sheng is a distinguished vascular surgeon in Singapore, specialising in minimally invasive vascular, endovascular and endovenous procedures. He treats a broad range of conditions, including varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis, peripheral arterial disease, diabetic foot ulcers and aortic aneurysms.
As a founding vascular surgeon at Sengkang General Hospital, Dr Tay led one of Singapore’s busiest vascular units with strong outcomes and low complication rates. He is among the few local surgeons skilled in advanced techniques such as minimally invasive vein harvesting and complex endovascular aneurysm repairs.
Outside the operating theatre, he has taught at Yong Loo Lin, Duke-NUS and Lee Kong Chian medical schools. Recognised with awards such as the SingHealth Quality Service Award and COVID-19 Resilience Medal, he now practises at Spectrum Vascular & General Surgery, offering patient-centred care with a focus on minimally invasive treatment.
Dr Tay Jia Sheng is a distinguished vascular surgeon in Singapore, specialising in minimally invasive vascular, endovascular and endovenous procedures. He treats a broad range of conditions including varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis, peripheral arterial disease, diabetic foot ulcers and aortic aneurysms.
As a founding vascular surgeon at Sengkang General Hospital, Dr Tay led one of Singapore’s busiest vascular units with strong outcomes and low complication rates. He is among the few local surgeons skilled in advanced techniques such as minimally invasive vein harvesting and complex endovascular aneurysm repairs.
Outside the operating theatre, he has taught at Yong Loo Lin, Duke-NUS and Lee Kong Chian medical schools. Recognised with awards such as the SingHealth Quality Service Award and COVID-19 Resilience Medal, he now practises at Spectrum Vascular & General Surgery, offering patient-centred care with a focus on minimally invasive treatment.
Peripheral arterial disease occurs when the arteries supplying blood to the legs and feet become narrowed or blocked by atherosclerosis, a build-up of fatty plaques, cholesterol, calcium and inflammatory cells on the inner artery wall. As the blockage worsens, the muscles and tissues of the lower limb receive insufficient oxygenated blood, particularly during activity.
PAD is sometimes called a ‘leg attack’ analogous to a heart attack, but in the peripheral circulation. The same risk factors that cause coronary artery disease (narrowing of heart arteries) and carotid artery disease (narrowing of neck arteries supplying the brain) cause PAD.
Patients with PAD are also at significantly higher risk of heart attack and stroke.
Without treatment, Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) can progressively worsen:
The condition often begins with asymptomatic narrowing of the arteries before advancing to intermittent claudication, causing cramping pain in the calf, thigh, or buttock during walking that is relieved by rest.
As blood flow becomes more restricted, patients may develop ischaemic rest pain, characterised by persistent pain in the foot or toes, especially at night.
In its most advanced stage, known as Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischaemia (CLTI), patients may develop non-healing wounds, ulcers, tissue loss, or gangrene, placing the limb at high risk of amputation.
At Spectrum Surgery, limb salvage is always our first priority. Amputation is considered only when all appropriate options to restore blood flow and preserve the limb have been exhausted. Many patients referred for amputation assessment may still be candidates for endovascular or surgical revascularisation. By restoring circulation to the affected limb, it is often possible to promote wound healing, relieve pain and reduce the risk of limb loss. The key is early assessment and timely intervention.
If you have been told that amputation may be necessary, seek a specialist vascular assessment before proceeding. Early intervention may provide additional treatment options and improve the chances of limb preservation.
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At Spectrum Surgery, our vascular surgeon uses a structured diagnostic approach to confirm PAD, map the extent of disease, and plan treatment.
Depending on your presentation, one or more of the following investigations will be performed:
For early-stage PAD (claudication without rest pain or tissue loss), supervised exercise and medical therapy form the first line:
For moderate to severe PAD, minimally invasive endovascular procedures restore blood flow without the need for open surgery. Most are performed as day surgery under local or light sedation:
For multi-level disease or anatomically complex lesions that are not suitable for endovascular treatment, open surgery can provide durable long-term results.
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) can reduce blood flow to the legs and feet, leading to pain, non-healing wounds, and an increased risk of amputation.
Early diagnosis and treatment can help restore circulation and improve the chances of limb preservation.
If you are experiencing symptoms of PAD, or have been told that amputation may be necessary, arrange a vascular assessment to explore your treatment options.
For enquiries, consultation or second opinions, please complete the form below or call us at +65 8874 0371
Our team will get back to you to assist with your request.
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) affect different blood vessels. PAD occurs when arteries become narrowed or blocked, reducing blood flow to the legs and feet. DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the leg. While both conditions can cause leg discomfort, DVT is more likely to cause swelling, whereas PAD typically causes leg pain when walking, cold feet, and non-healing wounds.
Yes. Early-stage PAD can often be managed with lifestyle modifications, exercise, smoking cessation, and medications to control risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. However, patients with severe symptoms, non-healing wounds, or significantly reduced blood flow may require minimally invasive angioplasty, stenting, or surgical bypass to restore circulation.
In many cases, MediSave may be used for consultations, investigations, and eligible procedures related to PAD. Coverage depends on the treatment performed and individual eligibility. Our team can advise you on the estimated costs and MediSave claims during your consultation.
PAD typically causes leg cramping, aching, or tightness in the calf, thigh, or buttock during walking that improves with rest. This is known as intermittent claudication. Muscle strains are more commonly associated with a specific injury and may remain painful even when you are not walking. If leg pain persists or limits your mobility, a vascular assessment can help determine whether poor circulation is contributing to your symptoms.
PAD can progressively worsen over time. Reduced blood flow may lead to increasing pain, difficulty walking, poor wound healing, and, in advanced cases, Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischaemia (CLTI). Patients with PAD also have an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent complications and preserve limb function.
Most angioplasty procedures are performed through a small puncture in the groin or wrist, without the need for large incisions. Many patients can return home on the same day or after an overnight stay, depending on the complexity of the procedure and their overall health. Recovery is generally faster than with open surgery.
In many cases, yes. Non-healing wounds in diabetic patients are often linked to reduced blood flow caused by PAD. Early vascular assessment can identify whether circulation is contributing to poor wound healing. Restoring blood flow through angioplasty, stenting, or bypass surgery may improve healing and help reduce the risk of limb loss.
Screening may be recommended for individuals over 50 years of age, as well as younger patients with risk factors such as diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or a history of cardiovascular disease. If you have symptoms of poor circulation, screening should be considered regardless of age.
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