Did you know that the most common cause of foot amputation in the United States is a diabetic foot sore? According to the American Diabetes Association, there are an estimated 79 million people in the U.S. with pre-diabetes, and research has shown that 25 percent of those with diabetes will go on to develop a foot sore. For almost 20 percent of these patients, the sores will become infected, leading to the possibility of amputation.

The Center for Diabetic Limb Preservation at Northwest Hospital, part of the Center for Wound Care, is working to decrease the likelihood of foot or leg amputation by screening those most likely to develop a foot sore and using a focused, multidisciplinary treatment approach. The center consists of a team of specialists dedicated to preventing leg and foot amputations caused by diabetes, peripheral vascular disease and chronic wounds.

If you have a history of diabetes, burning/tingling feet, foot wounds that do not heal, pain in the calf when walking or sleeping, dialysis, bone infections or toe amputations, you should be evaluated by our team of specialists. Our doctors will work with your primary care physician to coordinate the specialty care required to address the causes and treatment of your wounds.

Click here to read some questions frequently asked by our patients.

Conditions Treated

The specialists at the Center for Diabetic Limb Preservation at Northwest Hospital provide comprehensive diagnosis, screenings, treatment and rehabilitation services to patients with the following conditions:

• Charcot Foot
• Diabetic Foot and Ankle Wounds
• Neuropathic Ulcers
• Osteomyelitis
• Peripheral Vascular Disease
• Post-Traumatic Non-Healing Wounds
• Venous Insufficiency/Lymphedema

Services Provided

The Center for Diabetic Limb Preservation at Northwest Hospital offers the following services:

• Diabetic education and management
• Management of chronic wounds (conservative/surgical)
• Research trials
• Lower extremity exams & risk assessment for amputation prevention
• Radiographs
• Non-invasive vascular studies
• Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
• Physical Therapy
• Gait analysis
• Maintaining limb function
• Rehabilitation/strengthening
• Pedorthics
• Diabetic shoes, inserts, offloading methods
• Second Opinion

Additional Resources

• American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons - The preeminent provider of musculoskeletal education to orthopedic surgeons and others in the world. Click here for a resource on Charcot Foot.
• Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists - Site for licensed health care professionals (registered nurses, registered dietitians and pharmacists) who help people understand and manage diabetes.
• American Diabetes Association - Site that leads the fight against diabetes by funding research to prevent, cure and manage the disease. Click here for a resource on Diabetes and diabetic foot complications.
• American Heart Association - The nation’s oldest, largest voluntary organization devoted to fighting cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Click here for a resource on Peripheral Artery Disease.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - Primary site for health and safety information. Click here for a resource on Diabetes.
• National Cancer Institute - Largest site for cancer education and information. Click here for a resource on Lymphedema.
• Pedorthic Footcare Association - Not-for-profit professional association that supports the pedorthic professionals.
• Vascular Cures - The only national non-profit representing the millions of patients with vascular disease. Click here for a resource on Peripheral Artery Disease.