“Limb salvage”

Limb salvage typically consists of these three components:

Anatomical illustration of a foot infection represented by flame and smoke above the great toe

Foot infection

  1. Identify foot infection.
  2. Apply surgical techniques to treat foot infection.
Anatomical illustration of lower-extremity arteries with occlusive disease

Peripheral artery disease

  1. Identify peripheral artery disease (PAD).
  2. Perform revascularization.
Anatomical illustration of granulation and healing tissue at the great toe

Wound healing and reconstruction

  1. Ensure wound healing / foot reconstruction to restore an intact epithelial surface.
Anatomical illustration of a lower extremity with a force field protecting a great-toe wound from bacteria

Palliative wound care

Provide palliative wound care for patients who won't benefit from limb salvage efforts. We have defined palliative wound care as wound care done without the expectation of wound healing.

Anatomical illustration of an intact lower extremity with a proposed mid-calf amputation level

Leg amputation

In selected patients, perform leg amputation if this would improve quality of life and/or function.

Venn diagram relating diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, peripheral artery disease, foot ulcers, critical limb ischemia, and limb loss

Interdisciplinary care

Amputation prevention and limb salvage require interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary care. The system of care must be cohesive and coordinated for reliably good outcomes.