More than two million Americans are living as amputees, and that’s expected to double by 2050. In an attempt to change the projection, Texas Health Plano is trying something different. A new and unique catheterization procedure can help salvage the legs of more would-be amputee patients.
The multidisciplinary program includes emergency physicians, orthopedic surgeons, wound care physicians, podiatry, internal medicine and interventional cardiology. “The goal is to provide a cohesive plan of care for patients presenting to the ER or wound care center with ischemic ulcers of the legs (or) feet,” says Dr. Vijay Ramanath, medical director of Texas Health Plano’s Limb Preservation Program. “We want to prevent leg (and) foot amputations and return patients to a high-quality of life.” read more