Avoid Leg and Hand Amputations

 An amputation can render the patient physically disabled and take a toll on their mental health. It presents a number of challenges, including difficulties in earning a living and carrying out even the most basic tasks. While some amputations cannot be avoided others can be prevented with regular checkups and taking care of one’s health. Patients with certain diseases like diabetes are at a higher risk of undergoing amputations and managing these conditions is the key to avoiding them. 

Diabetes Cause of Amputations

Diabetes is a leading cause of amputations. Tissues and cells of diabetes patients do not receive enough glucose which impairs their ability to heal themselves. As a result, whenever a patient experiences an injury, healing takes a long time and makes the patient susceptible to infections. The common sites of these infections are feet and legs. Many diabetes patients face amputations due to gangrenous infections. When the infection cannot be treated via medications, surgeons have to intervene and perform an amputation.

What are the Symptoms of Diabetes

Managing Diabetes

The key to avoiding amputations because of diabetes is to manage the condition effectively. You can do that by:

• Scheduling regular visits with your doctor.
• Visit a podiatrist regularly for a checkup of your foot, ankle, and other structures of the leg.
• Monitor the blood glucose level and make a chart of it. Doctors can adjust the medications by looking at the chart to manage the condition more efficiently.
• Comply with instructions and medications prescribed by the doctors.
• Avoid a diet that is rich in glucose.
• Keep yourself hydrated.
• Avoid tobacco products.
• Wear soft footwear.
• Immediately seek medical advice for infections.
• Exercise at least 30 minutes daily.

Diminished Blood Flow

Blood is a source of nutrients for our tissues and cells. When its supply is blocked, essential nutrients cannot reach tissues and cells, causing their death. If the entire tissue gets affected, surgeons have to amputate the area to prevent life-threatening events. Managing the diseases responsible for diminished blood flow can prevent amputations. 

Hypertension

Hypertension is the increased blood pressure within our body. It usually happens because of two reasons: either the heart is pumping too much blood or there is high resistance in the blood vessels. The resistances in vessels are because they become narrow and hardened. These narrow arteries cannot supply adequate blood to the tissues. Consequently, the tissue may start to die and warrant an amputation.

Effects of High Blood Pressure

Managing Hypertension

Increased blood pressure can be managed by:

• Regular visits to the cardiologist.
• Measuring the blood pressure reading and noting it down in the diary.
• Cutting down the fat and salt content in the diet.
• Regular exercise.
• Complying with the doctor’s prescription.
• Maintaining a healthy weight.
• Quitting smoking.

Clots in the peripheral body

Clots in blood vessels can also hinder blood flow and consequently deprive cells of essential nutrients. These are produced in the body because of several conditions, including peripheral vascular diseases, coma, stroke, and disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Management

Manage the underlying cause of the clots:

• Patients that are in a coma or have impaired mobility are at higher risk of clot formations. Such patients are usually advised to take anticoagulants or wear specialized socks to mitigate the risks. It is important for such patients to comply with prescriptions to prevent clot formation in the legs.
• Peripheral Vascular disease is a slow but progressive circulation disorder. Patients suffering from it experience narrowing, complete blockage, and spasms in the arteries. Such patients need to be diagnosed quickly and provided with medical treatments. 
• Physiotherapy is essential for such patients. Movements facilitate the flow of blood, which prevents the formation of clots and leads to the breakage of smaller ones. Hence, patients that are at risk of developing such clots must schedule regular sessions with physiotherapists.

Osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis is an infection of bones that presents itself with high-grade fever and excruciating pain. Usually, infections from other parts of the body travel to the bones and produce this condition. Prompt diagnosis and initiation of appropriate antibiotics are key to managing the condition.

Management

• Immediately seek medical advice.
• Schedule a session with your physiotherapist and ask for exercises to increase the flow of blood to the region.

Smoking A Causes of Amputations

In addition to causing lung and mouth cancer, smoking can also impair the supply of blood to several tissues. That’s because it narrows the arteries, and as a result, they cannot transport enough nutrients to the tissues and cells of our limbs. Consequently, the sites become prone to infection and necrosis which are counted among the causes of amputations.

Management

• Exercise regularly
• Keep yourself hydrated
• Seek professional help
• Avoid triggers

Bottom Line

With effective management of diseases like diabetes, patients can reduce the risk of amputations. However, sometimes amputations cannot be avoided and need to be performed to save a patient’s life. A charity organization has been providing life-changing artificial limbs to amputees since 2014. Artificial limbs can help amputees with regaining mobility. Besides this, artificial limbs also make it possible for many of them to start earning a living again. Transparent Hands needs your support in the form of donations to continue this noble mission. Donate today and change an amputee’s life.