Issue link: http://cp.revolio.com/i/447803
Health and Wellness Magazine • 1 H&W: What attracted you to the field of interventional radiology? Grande: It was the field's minimally-invasive nature. We do major procedures throughout the body through small incisions using our expertise with guided imagery. That makes treatment easier on the patient. I was also attracted to the breadth of medicine the field covers. We touch on many different physical systems and health issues. H&W: RIA Endovascular provides state-of-the-art treatment for both cosmetic leg issues and more serious leg disorders. Often, patients with these potentially dangerous circulatory conditions are referred to you by physicians nationwide. What are the most common issues you see? Grande: Venous reflux disease results in varicose veins. Although it's often thought of as a cosmetic issue because people see bulging or spider-like veins, it can have serious consequences when the increased blood pressure in the legs causes swelling, pain, skin changes and even skin ulcers (sores). Deep-vein disorders, caused by blockages or anatomical issues in the legs and pelvis, can cause severe leg, back and abdominal pain as well as life-threatening blood clots. Sometimes these conditions go undiagnosed for 10 or 15 years before patients make it to us. Peripheral vascular disease is an arterial, often debilitating, condition that causes blood vessel blockages. This results in leg pain when walking and, even more serious, when resting. We are able to treat those patients using minimally invasive techniques with balloons and stents. We can then help them with prevention, as PVD patients are at higher risk for heart attack and stroke. H&W: What are some of the symptoms that should prompt patients to see you? Grande: Cramping, swelling, aching legs. Muscular leg pain that improves with rest. Itching or restless-leg sensations. Wounds that won't heal. Definitely get help if you have sudden, severe calf pain. It doesn't hurt to get checked out, as symptoms are not always obvious. H&W: Can exercise help ward off leg problems? Grande: Exercise is one of the critical components of maintaining healthy legs, which includes a healthy lifestyle and healthy weight. These will definitely decrease the incidence of varicose veins. It helps just getting up and walking around several times a day. Also, compression stockings can help prevent the progression of varicose veins, swelling and deep-vein clots. And controlling diabetes and not smoking are critical, especially with PVD. H&W: What sets RIA Endovascular doctors apart as the experts in diagnosis and treatment of these and other conditions? Grande: Rather than focusing on the superficial problem, we treat the underlying cause. RIA Endovascular physicians treat the whole person. That's one of the gratifying parts of our work: We change patients' lives. Meet the Doctor rIA endovascular Specialist Says Leg Beauty is More than Skin Deep WILLIAM GrAnDe, MD Board-certified, fellowship-trained interventional and endovascular radiologist Dr. Grande lives in Denver with his wife, a pediatrician and two daughters, ages 3 and 10 months. When he finds free time, Grande often heads to colorado's hills, where he skis, hikes and trail-runs. About RIA Endovascular RIA Endovascular is a medical practice comprised of board-certified, fellowship-trained interventional radiologists. These physicians perform minimally invasive (non-surgical), image-guided procedures to diagnose and treat numerous conditions throughout the body. In addition to leg disorders, RIA Endovascular physicians perform a wide variety of procedures including those that treat pelvic disorders, cancer, spinal fractures, trauma and diagnostics either in our office or in partner hospitals throughout the greater metro Denver area. Visit riaendovascular.com to learn more. call 720-493-3406 to schedule your appointment. 8200 e Belleview Ave, Ste 600e, Greenwood Village, 80111 Medical Profile • 3