The cramping in your calves has progressed from occasional to predictable—for example, you know exactly which block on your daily walk will trigger the tightness. Your primary care doctor suggested you see a podiatrist about circulation, but you're not sure what to expect. Will the testing be uncomfortable? How will anyone know for certain whether your symptoms indicate peripheral artery disease or something else entirely?
At Wilks Advanced Foot Care in Roseburg, we use a systematic approach to peripheral artery disease (PAD) diagnosis that combines thorough evaluation with advanced, non-invasive testing. One method he relies on is the ankle-brachial index (ABI) test.
What Does the Ankle-Brachial Index Test Do?
The ABI test serves as the gold standard for diagnosing PAD. This simple, painless procedure compares blood pressure in your ankle to blood pressure in your arm, revealing how efficiently blood flows to your lower extremities.
The non-invasive test works on a straightforward principle: blood pressure should remain relatively consistent throughout your body when arteries function properly. When plaque narrows the arteries in your legs, blood pressure drops in your ankles compared to your arms. This pressure difference indicates restricted blood flow and helps quantify PAD severity.
The ABI machine benefits include exceptional accuracy, immediate results, and zero discomfort during testing.
What Happens During My ABI Test?
As a Douglas County podiatrist for more than 25 years, Dr. Wilks believes in the value of education. He starts by gathering a comprehensive medical history that reveals your risk profile and symptom patterns. He'll ask detailed questions about:
- When your leg pain occurs.
- How far you can walk before discomfort begins.
- Whether rest relieves your symptoms.
This conversation also covers your smoking history, diabetes management, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and family history of vascular disease. He’ll then carefully inspect your feet and legs for telltale signs of reduced circulation, which often include:
- Skin color changes
- Temperature differences between limbs
- Thinning skin
- Hair loss
- Wounds that heal slowly or not at all
He checks the pulses in your feet and legs, comparing strength and rhythm between both sides. Weak or absent pulses often signal arterial blockages that restrict blood flow. According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, this type of thorough clinical assessment provides crucial context for interpreting diagnostic ABI test results and developing appropriate treatment strategies. The ankle-brachial index testing process is quite simple. While each patient has specific needs, you can generally expect a session to include:
- Comfortable positioning. You'll lie down on an exam table and rest for about five minutes, allowing your blood pressure to stabilize. This brief rest period ensures accurate baseline measurements.
- Blood pressure measurements. Dr. Wilks or a trained staff member places standard blood pressure cuffs on both arms and both ankles. A handheld Doppler ultrasound device detects blood flow sounds in your arteries—the same technology used during routine prenatal checkups.
- Quick readings. The test measures blood pressure in each limb systematically. The entire procedure takes approximately 10–15 minutes from start to finish. You won't feel anything beyond the familiar sensation of a blood pressure cuff tightening and releasing.
- Immediate calculation. Dr. Wilks divides your ankle pressure by your arm pressure to determine your ABI score. Normal results fall between 1.00 and 1.40, meaning ankle and arm pressures are similar. Scores below 0.90 indicate some degree of arterial blockage, with lower numbers revealing more severe disease.
Why Does Early Detection of PAD With an Ankle Brachial Test Matter?
The American Heart Association emphasizes that PAD often serves as a warning sign for widespread cardiovascular problems. People with this condition face significantly higher risks of heart attack and stroke because the same plaque buildup affecting leg arteries typically affects coronary and carotid arteries as well. ABI machine benefits extend beyond simple diagnosis. The test helps Dr. Wilks:
- Monitor disease progression over time.
- Evaluate treatment effectiveness.
- Determine when referral to a vascular specialist becomes necessary.
Regular ABI testing detects changes in circulation before symptoms worsen, enabling timely intervention to preserve limb function and prevent complications. If you’re concerned about the risks of PAD, don’t hesitate to schedule a comprehensive assessment so we can put your mind at ease—or provide you with a treatment plan dedicated to your well-being.