Angioplasty (ballooning) and stenting is a procedure that is one done without a leg incision. The procedure is performed through a groin puncture.
With the use of X-ray guidance and special endovascular wires and catheters guided through the vascular lumen, a balloon or stent (metallic mesh tube) is inserted via the contralateral femoral artery and advanced up and over into the arteries of the treated leg at the site of the blockage.
Typically the balloon is inflated to open up the blocked arterial lumen and if the dilatation is suboptimal then a stent is delivered and left in place forcing the lumen open.
Typically patients who undergo this procedure have a supervised hospital stay for one day after surgery.
As with any operation, angioplasty and stenting of the leg arteries have a risk of bleeding or failure (blood clot formation – thrombosis) that may lead to worse leg ischemia.
You will want to discuss these thoroughly with your vascular surgeon.