San Antonio-based University Health is working to reduce limb amputation with its new Limb Salvage Clinic.
The clinic, located in its Texas Diabetes Institute, offers treatments for high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, poorly controlled diabetes, chronic kidney disease, coronary artery disease or heart failure, according to an Oct. 2 system news release. Led by a cardiologist and podiatrist, the clinic aims to reduce the number of amputations for patients with diabetes.
Diabetes damages the vascular system and can cause complications in a patient’s heart and circulation. These issues can lead to infections and tissue damage, especially in the legs, where there might be reduced blood flow, and can lead to amputation.
The clinic aims to change that by detecting and treating limb-threatening conditions early and addressing patients’ overall cardiovascular risk.
The program is expected to expand to University Health’s Palo Alto (Texas) Hospital in 2027, the release said.
