Peripheral Arterial Disease And Diabetic Foot
Peripheral vascular diseases in India were often treated with amputation and wound care, leaving many with artificial limbs instead of salvaged legs through timely vascular repair.
Peripheral Vascular Disease and Diabetic Foot
For decades in India, especially in the lower socioeconomic segments, patients with peripheral vascular disease and diabetic foot infections were commonly treated with wound care and ultimately limb amputation. Unfortunately, these amputations were often preventable.
It has been heartbreaking to see people — many still young and capable — fitted with artificial limbs, living with permanent disability. In many cases, they could have walked again had their blood flow been restored in time. This is a scenario that vascular and endovascular surgery now aims to change.
The Reality of Diabetic Foot Complications
Did you know that more than 85% of lower limb amputations are caused by diabetic foot ulcers?
These ulcers often begin as a small, neglected wound — a tiny cut, a blister from ill-fitting shoes, or a minor injury that goes unnoticed due to diabetic nerve damage (neuropathy). What starts small can progress rapidly when blood flow is poor, leading to serious infections and eventually, amputations.
Studies have shown that:
- Nearly 74% of diabetic patients who undergo one limb amputation go on to require another amputation within 5 years.
- Around 22% of patients do not survive the first year after a major lower limb amputation due to complications like infection, poor healing, cardiovascular events, and reduced mobility.
The New Era: Limb Salvage with Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
Thankfully, the narrative is changing.
With the growth of vascular and endovascular surgery in India, there are now options to salvage limbs that would earlier be lost. Techniques like angioplasty, bypass surgery and catheter-based interventions can restore blood flow in oxygen-deprived legs, allowing wounds to heal and reducing the need for amputation.
While India still faces a heavy burden of diabetes, smoking-related disease and late referrals, timely intervention, precise case selection and protocol-based wound care can save many legs.
Our Clinic’s Mission: Saving Limbs, Saving Lives
Our clinic was started with a single intention — to treat diabetic foot infections comprehensively using a protocol-driven approach.
We understand that a foot wound in a diabetic is never just a skin problem — it’s a complex interplay of:
- Poor circulation (ischaemia)
- Infection
- High blood sugar (hyperglycaemia)
- Nerve damage
- Pressure points from footwear
Our aim is to address all these issues systematically.
Our Approach
- Antibiotic therapy for infected wounds
- Specialist wound care using advanced dressings
- Custom diabetic footwear
- Revascularization through open or endovascular methods where needed
Therapies We Offer for Peripheral Arterial Disease and Diabetic Foot
Here are some of the key treatments we provide, tailored to your specific condition:
Endovascular Treatments (Minimally Invasive)
- Peripheral Angioplasty: Opening narrowed arteries with a balloon to restore blood flow.
- Endovascular Stenting: Placing a metal scaffold in arteries with extensive disease to keep them open.
- Drug-Eluting Balloons and Stents: Special devices coated with medication to prevent re-blockage in difficult-to-treat arteries.
- Atherectomy: Removing hardened plaque from inside the artery using a high-speed device.
- Intravascular Lithotripsy: Breaking tough calcium in arteries using sound waves, allowing successful angioplasty.
- Thrombectomy: Mechanical removal of fresh blood clots blocking the arteries.
- Catheter Directed Thrombolysis: Delivering clot-dissolving medicines directly to the blockage through a thin tube.
Diagnostic Services
- Peripheral Angiography: A detailed imaging test to map the blood flow in your legs
- Duplex Ultrasound: Non-invasive assessment of blood vessels and blockages
Regenerative Options
Stem Cell Therapy for No-Option Limbs:
For patients who have no surgical or angioplasty options left, this therapy aims to promote new blood vessel growth using stem cells.
Surgical Options
- Vein or Graft Bypass Surgery: Creating a new route for blood to flow using your own vein or a synthetic graft.
- Long Segment Bypass: Including major procedures like:
- Aorto-Femoral
- Axillo-Femoral
- Aorto-Popliteal
- Aorto-Distal Bypasses
- Endarterectomy: Surgical removal of thick plaque from the inner walls of arteries.
Your Foot Deserves Attention
Don’t ignore tingling, numbness, pain while walking, or slow-healing wounds in your feet. These are early signs of poor circulation.
Many amputations happen not because the disease is too bad, but because the patient waited too long.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I worry about a foot wound?
If you have diabetes and a foot wound doesn’t heal within 7–10 days, or gets red, swollen, or smelly, seek urgent help. Early diagnosis is key.
Is angioplasty safe in diabetic patients?
Yes, angioplasty is often the first line of treatment in diabetic foot when the blood flow is compromised. Newer tools have made it safer and more effective.
How do I know if I need revascularization?
If your foot wound is not healing, or if you experience pain in your legs while walking or even at rest, a vascular consultation is advised. Testing like ABI (Ankle-Brachial Index) or Duplex scan can help.
Can I avoid amputation?
In many cases, YES. With timely revascularization and wound care, limb salvage is possible. However, the success rate depends on how early the treatment is started.
We believe every foot saved is a life saved
Let Us Help You Walk Again
At our clinic, We offer the latest therapies, honest guidance, and personalized care. If you or your loved one is living with peripheral vascular disease or a diabetic foot wound, don’t delay. Book an appointment and let’s plan the best way forward — together
