What is Amputation prevention?
Amputation is a surgical procedure in which all or part of a limb or extremity is removed to prevent complications due to tissue damage. Lower limb amputations are the most common and are usually due to vascular deficiency. Amputation prevention includes inpatient and outpatient procedures to help avoid amputation.
Indications for Amputation Prevention
Amputation prevention is indicated to prevent patients from losing the lower limb or foot due to:
- A nonhealing wound from diabetic complications such as poor circulation, neuropathy, infection, and gangrene
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Lower limb trauma
- Severe foot infection
- Cancerous tumor
Procedure of Amputation Prevention
Your doctor will analyze the wound and diagnostic tests will be performed. Based on the evaluation, certain procedures may be recommended including:
- Debridement: The damaged tissue will be removed from the wound using a scalpel. This enhances the growth of healthy tissues and prevents or controls infection.
- Revascularization: This is a minimally invasive procedure that involves the use of guide wires, catheters, and other instruments to remove the blockage or enlarge the constricted blood vessels to restore blood supply and enable healing.
- Limb Salvage Surgery: This involves the removal of damaged bone and surrounding tissues and reconstruction using a bone graft or a prosthetic implant.
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: You inhale concentrated oxygen while in a pressurized chamber for a period of time to promote the healing of tissues.
- Compression Therapy: This involves the use of any material that provides compression to the lower leg. It helps to prevent swelling due to the pooling of blood in the veins of the lower legs which enhances circulation and promotes healing.
- Skin Graft: Skin from a healthy area of the body is removed and transferred to the damaged area to enhance healing.
Amputation can also be prevented by:
- Being well informed and following proper foot care precautions
- Using well-fitted or diabetic footwear
- Regular clinic visits for evaluation