During the COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020, Teresa Rice began experiencing pain while walking with her brother. Initially, she felt an ache in one gluteal muscle that disappeared when she stopped moving. Over time, the discomfort spread to both legs and became more severe.
By 2024, Rice’s symptoms had worsened. She experienced constant pain after only a few dozen steps and found that her job at a warehouse, which required heavy lifting, made things worse. Her primary care doctor initially suspected a back problem and prescribed steroid shots, but these did not help. A vascular ultrasound later revealed a significant blockage—about 75%—in blood flow to her legs.
Following this discovery, Rice was referred to Matthew Corriere, MD, who had recently become director of the Division of Vascular Surgery at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Dr. Corriere conducted a walking exercise test and diagnosed Rice with peripheral artery disease (PAD), a condition where narrowed or blocked arteries reduce blood flow to the legs.
“I had searched for answers for so long, and this was the first time someone could actually pinpoint what was wrong,” Rice said.
“Dr. Corriere was so kind and encouraging that I started to feel hopeful,” she added.
Dr. Corriere treats patients with various vascular conditions such as aortic aneurysm, renal artery obstruction, PAD, and carotid artery diseases. He uses minimally invasive procedures as well as open surgeries based on his research experience to address these issues for patients who may have struggled for years without clear answers.
