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Limb Salvage Amputation Prevention Program

Limb Salvage: Preserving Mobility, Quality of Life, and Independence

At South Florida Multi-Specialty Medical Group, we take pride in being the only fully integrated limb salvage program in South Florida that offers comprehensive, multidisciplinary management of critical limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) under one roof. Unlike fragmented approaches that require patients to visit multiple providers at different locations, our unique model ensures seamless collaboration between vascular surgeons, podiatrists, wound care specialists, and internal medicine physicians, all working together in a single institution. This coordinated, team-based approach, combined with our proprietary screening and treatment protocols, has resulted in limb salvage success rates that far exceed the national average. By integrating advanced diagnostics, cutting-edge revascularization techniques, and patient-centered care, our program delivers exceptional outcomes, restoring mobility and quality of life for patients at risk of amputation.

 

Introduction: What is Limb Salvage and Why Does it Matter?

Limb salvage refers to using advanced medical, surgical, and rehabilitative techniques to prevent the need for amputation in patients with severe limb complications. These complications may arise from conditions such as diabetic foot ulcers, critical limb ischemia (CLI), severe trauma, or vascular disease, among others. Amputation often leads to significant physical, emotional, and economic challenges for patients. However, our limb salvage programs provide life altering opportunities to avoid limb loss, optimize recovery, and dramatically improve quality of life.

One in 190 Americans is currently living with the loss of a limb. Unchecked, this number may double by the year 2050, and studies indicate that the 5-year mortality rate was very high among patients with any amputation (major and minor combined), ranging from 53% to 100%, and in patients with major amputations, ranging from 52% to 80%. Mortality after below-the-knee amputation ranged from 40% to 82% and after above-the-knee amputation from 40% to 90%. For patients at risk of amputation due to conditions like diabetes, limb salvage is nothing short of critical. It signifies more than just saving a limb, it is about preserving autonomy, functionality, and mental wellbeing.

 

The Medical Need: Why is Limb Salvage Critical?

Amputation prevention is a growing medical priority in the U.S., particularly in regions like Florida where diabetes and vascular diseases are highly prevalent. Patients are at risk of amputation for various reasons, including:

  • Diabetes related complications such as foot ulcers, neuropathy, and poor circulation
  • Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), a common vascular condition causing poor blood flow to extremities
  • Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI), a severe progression of PAD characterized by rest pain and nonhealing wounds
  • Severe infections, traumatic injuries, or tissue damage that fail to heal with standard interventions
  • Chronic kidney disease, which reduces the body’s ability to fight infections and heal wounds

 

Every year an estimated 131,244 people in Florida are diagnosed with diabetes, and studies show that Non-traumatic limb amputations are attributed in 70% of cases to diabetes. However, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), half (50%) of amputations are avoidable with appropriate screening and management. Early intervention in saving an infected or ischemic limb reduces not only the risk of amputation but also the economic burden and emotional toll associated with limb loss.

 

State-of-the-Art Techniques in Limb Salvage

Advances in vascular surgery, endovascular therapies, wound care, and reconstructive surgery have transformed the landscape of limb preservation. At South Florida Multi-Specialty Medical Group, we utilize a wide range of advanced diagnostics and therapeutic innovations to provide patients with the best possible outcomes:

1. Vascular and Endovascular Interventions

Restoring adequate blood flow to the affected limb is essential for healing and preventing further tissue damage. Techniques like angioplasty, stenting, and surgical bypass are utilized to treat blockages in blood vessels, helping reduce ischemia.

  • Atherectomy: A minimally invasive technique to remove plaque buildup in arteries, restoring circulation
  • Revascularization: Redirecting blood flow to ischemic tissues through bypass surgery or advanced catheter based interventions

 

2. Wound Care and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

For patients with nonhealing wounds, collaboration with podiatric specialists ensures proper debridement and care. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) plays a vital role by promoting tissue healing via enhanced oxygen delivery to compromised areas.

 

3. Infection Control with Radical Debridement

Addressing infections early is crucial. Radical debridement, or the surgical removal of necrotic tissue, allows the body to focus its resources on healing.

 

4. Advanced Prosthetics for Limb Sparing Amputations

In scenarios where complete salvage is not feasible, partial amputations and the use of advanced prosthetic devices help integrate functionality while maintaining quality of life.

 

By blending vascular interventions with wound management and reconstructive options, patients benefit from a comprehensive care strategy that minimizes the likelihood of amputation.

 

The Team Behind the Mission: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Patient Care

The success of a limb salvage program hinges on collaboration between multiple specialties. At South Florida MultiSpecialty Medical Group, patients benefit from a rehabilitation model that unites:

  • Vascular Surgeons: Skilled in optimizing blood flow and addressing vascular complications such as PAD and CLI
  • Podiatrists: Experts in addressing diabetic foot ulcers, infections, and biomechanical challenges
  • Internal Medicine Physicians: Focused on managing chronic conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, and high blood pressure, which are underlying risk factors
  • Orthopedic Surgeons: For traumatic injuries, bone infections, and reconstructive surgeries
  • Wound Care Specialists: Ensuring wounds heal effectively, using advanced techniques such as skin grafts
  • Rehabilitation Experts: Helping patients regain function, mobility, and confidence through physical therapy

 

Quick intervention is often the differentiating factor in limb salvage programs. SFL Group prioritizes rapid evaluation, with patients receiving consultation and treatment plans within 24-48 hours of presentation. This integrated teamwork ensures that patients receive care at the right time and from the right specialists.

 

Healing Beyond the Physical: The Benefits of Limb Salvage

Limb preservation goes far beyond saving a limb, it’s about saving futures. The benefits include:

  • Improved Quality of Life: Retaining a functioning limb helps patients maintain independence and perform daily activities
  • Better Mental Health Outcomes: Preventing amputation saves patients from a potential psychological toll that often accompanies limb loss
  • Cost Effectiveness: Salvaging a limb is beneficial than the long term costs of prosthetics, rehabilitation, and secondary complications from amputation
  • Preservation of Mobility: Patients with preserved limbs regain the ability to stay active, leading to better cardiovascular health and diabetes management

 

Challenges and Innovations on the Horizon

Despite advancements, successful limb salvage can be challenging. Factors such as severe infections, advancing PAD, or delays in seeking care can complicate outcomes. However, emerging innovations offer hope for even the most complex cases:

  • Drug Coated Devices: Angioplasty balloons and stents coated with medications to prevent restenosis
  • 3D Printed Prosthetics: Customized and cost-effective solutions for patients requiring partial amputations
  • Bio-engineered Grafts: Innovative skin substitutes and grafts improving wound closure rates
  • Artificial Intelligence in Diagnostics: AI-powered tools identifying PAD and CLI earlier, even in asymptomatic patients

 

Why Choose South Florida Multi Specialty Medical Group for Limb Salvage?

Located in the heart of Miami, South Florida MultiSpecialty Medical Group is a beacon of hope for patients at risk of losing their limbs. Our program stands out because of our:

  • Multidisciplinary Expertise: Highly skilled specialists who collaborate seamlessly for optimal outcomes
  • Patient Centric Philosophy: Personalized care that considers the patient’s unique goals and challenges
  • Advanced Technologies: From minimally invasive tools to hyperbaric oxygen chambers, we deliver care at the forefront of medicine
  • Timely Access: Prompt scheduling and immediate attention within critical windows of care

 

Leading the Charge in Amputation Prevention

Limb salvage is more than a treatment, it’s a lifeline. At South Florida MultiSpecialty Medical Group, we understand the profound impact that saving a limb can have on a patient’s life. Our dedication to cutting edge treatments, multi-disciplinary collaboration, and compassionate patient care ensures that individuals facing life altering conditions receive unparalleled support and expertise.

If you, or a loved one, have been advised to consider amputation, know that second chances exist.

Contact us today to explore comprehensive options for limb salvage. Together, we can take critical steps toward preserving your independence, mobility, and quality of life.

Let us help you stand tall, one step at a time.

 

Meet our Limb Salvage Specialists:

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Dr. Peter HannaDPM, DABPM, FACPM

Director of Podiatry and Foot and Ankle Surgery

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Dr. Siavash RostamiDPM, DABPM, FACPM

Assistant Director of Podiatry and Foot and Ankle Surgery

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Dr. Daniel GinsbergDPM, DABPM, FACPM

Podiatry and Foot and Ankle Surgery

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Dr. Paul Hanna

Director of Vascular and General Surgery

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Dr. Luis Hernandez Rosado

Director of Internal Medicine and Regenerative Medicine

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Dr. Yellian Ruiz Irizarry

Director of Rheumatology and Joints

Frequently Asked Questions

Limb salvage is a multidisciplinary approach that uses advanced medical, surgical, and rehabilitative techniques to prevent amputation in patients with severe limb complications, such as diabetic foot ulcers, critical limb ischemia (CLI), vascular disease, or traumatic injuries. It is especially important for individuals at high risk of limb loss due to poor circulation, infection, or non-healing wounds.

Treatment options include endovascular and surgical revascularization to restore blood flow, wound care and debridement, infection control, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and, when necessary, advanced prosthetics for limb-sparing amputations. The choice of treatment depends on the severity and cause of the limb threat, and often involves a coordinated, multidisciplinary team.

A multidisciplinary team—consisting of vascular surgeons, podiatrists, wound care specialists, internal medicine physicians, and rehabilitation experts—ensures that all aspects of the patient’s condition are addressed. This collaborative approach leads to higher limb salvage rates, faster intervention, and better overall patient outcomes.

Limb salvage preserves mobility, independence, and quality of life, and is associated with better mental health outcomes and lower long-term healthcare costs than amputation. Patients who avoid major amputation are more likely to remain active and avoid the psychological and physical challenges of limb loss.

Risks include the potential for severe infection, delayed wound healing, and the need for multiple interventions. Some patients may still require partial amputation if tissue cannot be saved. Early diagnosis and rapid intervention are crucial to minimizing these risks.

Yes, recent innovations include drug-coated balloons and stents to prevent vessel re-narrowing, 3D-printed prosthetics for partial amputations, bioengineered skin grafts for wound closure, and artificial intelligence tools for early diagnosis of vascular disease. These advances are helping to improve limb salvage success rates and patient outcomes.

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