Critical Limb Ischemia
Severe pain in the legs and feet when you’re not moving. Sores that won’t heal. These are the two classic symptoms of Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI), a severe condition of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) that can leave you at an increased risk
for limb amputation.
If you have these or other symptoms, you may be affected by CLI, a severe narrowing of the arteries affecting the legs and feet. If so, you can count yourself among the estimated 12% of adult Americans who will face this disease (Source). You can also count yourself among those we can help.
Options to Amputation
Amputation is not your only option. The Hospitals of Providence Amputation Prevention Program was created to provide amputation candidates a second opinion and treatment options before amputations are performed. This program offers a different treatment
approach by opening the blocked vessels in PAD and CLI. Our team of experienced specialists will diagnose and treat your condition with one goal in mind: Improving the quality of your life.
Do I have CLI?
If you have rest pain or any of the following symptoms, you should speak with a vascular specialist right away:
- Pain or numbness in your feet
- Shiny, smooth or dry skin on your legs or feet
- A thickening of your toenails
- An absent or diminished pulse in your legs or feet
- Open sores, skin infections or ulcers that won’t heal
- Dry gangrene (dry, black skin) of your legs or feet
Diagnosis and treatment
You will receive timely, personalized care from our team of specialists at The Hospitals of Providence. Our physicians are experienced in diagnosing and treating CLI using a wide variety of methods.
We will utilize everything from blood pressure readings and Doppler ultrasounds to specialized x-rays and complex computer analysis of your blood vessels to diagnose and create a personalized treatment plan just for you.
Your treatment options may include widening or unblocking the arteries with the use of balloon catheters, stents, laser devices or surgery. Even if you have already been treated for CLI, we may be able to offer you additional help with our innovative
procedures.
What’s next?
No matter how complex your case, our team will work with you to evaluate all of your treatment options. We are committed to not only preventing unnecessary amputations but to maximizing your health potential.
