Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD)—also known as Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)—is a common condition that affects the blood vessels outside the heart and brain, most often in the legs. It occurs when arteries become narrowed or blocked due to a build‑up of fatty deposits (plaque), reducing blood flow to the muscles and tissues.

People with PVD may experience leg pain or cramping when walking, cold or numb feet, slow‑healing wounds, foot pain at rest or changes in skin colour. In more advanced cases, reduced circulation can lead to serious complications (leg amputation, life threatening infection) if left untreated.

Early diagnosis and treatment are important to relieve symptoms, improve mobility, and prevent limb‑threatening complications. Treatment is tailored to each individual and may include lifestyle changes, medications, minimally invasive procedures or open surgery.

Dr Galappaththy offers all types of patient‑centred surgical interventions, including minimally invasive angioplasty, stenting, and atherectomy procedures, designed to restore blood flow, reduce symptoms, and help patients return to an active and healthy lifestyle. Dr Galappaththy also offer open bypass surgery in selected patients.
If you are experiencing leg pain, non‑healing wounds, or other circulation concerns, a specialist vascular assessment can help determine the most effective treatment option for you.

Endovascular treatment offers minimally invasive options for managing Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) and Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) by restoring blood flow through narrowed or blocked arteries. These procedures are performed through small punctures, avoiding large incisions and allowing for faster recovery, less pain, and shorter hospital stays.

Dr Galappaththy offers all types of patient‑centred endovascular interventions, including angioplasty, stenting, and atherectomy, carefully tailored to each patient’s condition and overall health to achieve the best possible outcomes.

Carotid artery disease occurs when plaque builds up in the carotid arteries, reducing blood flow to the brain and increasing the risk of stroke. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are essential to prevent serious neurological complications.

Medical management focuses on reducing stroke risk through lifestyle modification and medication. This includes antiplatelet therapy, cholesterol‑lowering medications (statins), blood pressure control, diabetes management, and smoking cessation. Medical treatment is often recommended for patients with mild to moderate carotid narrowing or those not suitable for surgery.

Carotid endarterectomy is a surgical procedure that removes plaque from the carotid artery to restore normal blood flow to the brain. It is a well‑established treatment for patients with significant carotid artery narrowing, particularly those who have had symptoms such as stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA). The procedure has been shown to significantly reduce future stroke risk when performed in appropriate patients.

Carotid artery stenting is a minimally invasive alternative to surgery. A small mesh stent is placed inside the carotid artery to keep it open and improve blood flow. This option may be recommended for patients at higher risk for open surgery or with complex anatomy. Carotid stenting can effectively reduce stroke risk in carefully selected patients.

An aneurysm is an abnormal weakening and ballooning of an artery wall. The most common type is an aortic aneurysm, which can occur in the abdomen (abdominal aortic aneurysm – AAA) or chest (thoracic aortic aneurysm). Aneurysms can also affect other arteries, including those in the legs, pelvis, or arms.

Many aneurysms develop slowly and cause no symptoms until they become larger causing it to rupture, making early diagnosis and specialist assessment essential.

Advances in vascular surgery now allow many aneurysms to be treated using minimally invasive endovascular techniques, avoiding the need for open surgery. One of the most common approaches is Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR), where a stent‑graft is inserted through small incisions in the groin and positioned inside the artery to reinforce the weakened area and prevent rupture.

Endovascular treatments typically offer smaller incisions, reduced recovery time, and lower surgical risk for suitable patients.

Dr Galappaththy, vascular surgeon servicing Far North Queensland, has extensive experience in endovascular minimally invasive interventions for aortic and peripheral artery aneurysms, providing contemporary, evidence‑based vascular care for patients across North Queensland.

Diabetic foot disease is a serious complication of diabetes caused by peripheral neuropathy, infection, and ischaemia, leading to foot ulcers, poor wound healing, and increased risk of amputation. Nerve damage reduces sensation, reduced blood flow impairs healing, and infection can rapidly worsen tissue damage if not treated early.

Dr Galappaththy offers comprehensive assessment and management of diabetic foot disease, including minimally invasive angioplasty to revascularize diabetic foot ulcers and improve wound healing.

Dr Galappaththy has extensive experience in renal dialysis access and vascular access surgery. He provides AV fistula creation, permanent dialysis catheter (Permcath) insertion, and port‑a‑cath insertion for chemotherapy and cancer patients, delivering safe, reliable long‑term vascular access tailored to each patient’s needs.

Diabetic foot disease is a serious complication of diabetes caused by peripheral neuropathy, infection, and ischaemia, leading to foot ulcers, poor wound healing, and increased risk of amputation. Nerve damage reduces sensation, reduced blood flow impairs healing, and infection can rapidly worsen tissue damage if not treated early.

Dr Galappaththy offers comprehensive assessment and management of diabetic foot disease, including minimally invasive angioplasty to revascularize diabetic foot ulcers and improve wound healing.