Know the Facts
Amputations result from both medical and surgical causes. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) alone, or in combination with diabetes, contributes to more than half of all amputations; trauma being the second leading cause. The level of amputation is determined by the extent of disease, ability of the stump to heal and rehabilitation potential of the patient. Although preservation of limb length is desirable, removal of all nonviable and infected tissue is a priority.
Risk Factors
As you age the risk for developing PAD increases. Several risk factors may predispose you to develop PAD, they include: tobacco use, poorly controlled diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, obesity, family history, physical inactivity, history of heart attack or stroke or certain genetic conditions
Symptoms
Intermittent Claudication (low amputation risk), rest pain (high amputation risk), ulcerations (very high risk of amputation) or gangrene
Indications
The majority of lower extremity amputations are performed for ischemia due to PAD. Also, PAD after multiple revascularization attempts have failed, sepsis and trauma.
Complications may include: deep vein thrombosis (DVT), stump hematoma, infection, need for a revision of the amputation, contracture or phantom limb pain.