PAD is Peripheral Artery Disease. I know this because my aunt has it. PAD is a condition in which plaque forms on the walls of your arteries, restricting blood flow. Sometimes, the plaque hardens and breaks off of the walls of the arteries, causing a blood clot to form and further restricting blood flow, or cutting it off altogether.

Your symptoms also sound like mine. When I walk, it feels as though my hip is dislocating from it's socket, causing the pain to shoot all the way down my leg. Mine is caused by Rheumatoid Arthritis, according to my Rheumatologist and my family doctor. Hope this helps.

MG