The ultrasound of the arteries of the lower extremities is performed in the case of:

leg pain that increases with walking and decreases with rest (so-called intermittent claudication),
poor skin condition of the feet and calves, impaired wound healing,
frequent feeling of cold feet,
high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, poor blood test results (e.g. dyslipidaemia),
diagnosed atherosclerosis in a previous ultrasound examination,
post-operative checks on arteries.

The doctor covers the limb at the level of the examined section of the artery with a special gel and then applies an ultrasound head emitting ultrasound waves. The ultrasound reflects off the tissues and blood flowing in the artery, and then returns to the ultrasound head. The resulting image of the vessels is observed by the doctor on the monitor screen. The ultrasound of the arteries is completely painless and non-invasive. The duration of the examination depends on the length of the artery segment being assessed and may take up to 40-60 minutes.

Ultrasound examination detects places of narrowing and obstruction of the arteries. Accurate blood flows above the stenosis, blood flow rates at and below the stenosis are documented. It is also possible to determine the severity of atherosclerotic lesions along with an assessment of the risk of atherosclerotic plaque detachment and embolism formation. This makes it easier for the doctor to make the right decision about choosing the right treatment method.