Man's warning over symptoms of leg condition

"No-one wants to lose their leg but that's the reality of what could happen," says Paul Hardy, who was diagnosed with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) four years ago.

He underwent angioplasty procedures to keep blood flowing to his legs to save them from amputation, and manages the disease - caused by the narrowing or blockage of arteries in the legs - with medication and exercise.

The 62-year-old from Leicester is now part of a campaign urging people not to ignore warning signs of PAD, which include foot pain while resting, and foot and leg ulcers that do not heal.

The "Are Your Legs Killing You?" campaign was launched by the University of Leicester on Monday and will run over six weeks.

Backed by doctors at Glenfield Hospital, it will be featured on digital billboards, buses and bus stops across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

Experts say that although PAD affects about 20% of people over the age of 60 in the UK, many people are not aware of the condition or its symptoms.

If left untreated, it could lead to amputation or sudden death.

A simple test known as the ankle-brachial index (ABI) - which measures blood pressure in the arms and ankles - can be carried out to identify the potentially life-changing disease.

Before his diagnosis, Hardy says he was experiencing "severe pain" in his leg while walking.

He adds: "I put it off a little longer than I should have done but eventually got it checked out.

"I had a simple scan on my leg and then ultimately ended up having a leg bypass operation because the arteries had narrowed."

Hardy, who has been involved in the development of the campaign and in vascular research through Glenfield Hospital, believes his leg was saved from being amputated due to the disease being detected early.

Nic Olsen was diagnosed with PAD in October 2024 but, by then, the disease had progressed to the point that both legs eventually had to be amputated.

The 80-year-old had been a keen walker and cyclist, but began experiencing leg pain over several years, before it became "unbearable".

He had also suffered from ulcers and cuts on his foot that would not heal. He also experienced thickening toenails and the loss of hair on his feet, which are all symptoms of PAD.

Olsen, from Tugby in Leicestershire, visited health professionals including GPs, podiatrists, and orthopaedic specialists, more than 20 times.

Eventually, a Doppler scan - a non-invasive ultrasound test commonly used in pregnancy - revealed there was no detectable blood flow in his feet.

Olsen, who is now learning to walk again using prosthetics, says he wants people to know how to spot the warning signs before it is too late and not "go through what I've been through".

Athanasios Saratzis, a research professor of vascular surgery at the university and a vascular and endovascular surgeon based at Glenfield Hospital, says there were up to 150 amputations a year linked to PAD at the hospital and most of them could have been avoided.

"Too many people live with symptoms of PAD without recognising that they may have a serious condition," he adds.

"Early diagnosis and assessment can make a significant difference to their outcomes.

"By increasing awareness we hope more people will seek help sooner and receive the care they need.

"If left untreated, PAD can lead to serious complications including limb loss and an increased risk of heart attack and stroke."

The university hopes to rollout the campaign nationally and says it has had interest from the US, Canada and parts of Europe.

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