The lower extremity and foot can often be affected by vascular disease. As a podiatrist it is important to understand the pathophysiological processes that lead to this predisposition and be able to recognise their manifestations. Some of the many causes of vascular disease include hypertension, diet, gravity, natural senility of blood vessel walls and diabetes. The podiatrist's ability to undertake a competent vascular examination is of critical importance as misdiagnosis can result in significant morbidity and mortality.

The podiatrist needs to understand what information needs to be documented; whether the patient’s history, physical findings, and information are correlative, and if not, which data to believe; and whether healing ability is correlative with blood flow.