New techniques help avoid limb loss: Doctors

Hyderabad: In a bid to address the problem of the growing number of limb losses in the country, 'LoveYourLimbs' campaign was launched at CARE Hospitals, Centre of Excellence (CoE) here on Thursday. A campaign aimed at spreading awareness around limb loss and the treatment available to help save the limbs. According to WHO there are more than one million amputations performed every year, with up to 70% of these amputations related to diabetes.

Moreover, as per other estimates, below the knee amputations are the most common, representing 71% of dysvascular amputations. About 1,85,000 people undergo amputation each year, meaning 300 to 500 amputations are performed every day.

Doctors emphasised the need for adopting Drug-Coated Balloon (DCB) technique for treating Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) which can help patients save their limbs and avoid amputation.

PAD is most common with patients suffering from diabetes and they show extreme pain usually in leg while walking. With 69.2 million diabetics in the country, of these 36 million not even diagnosed, India tops the world ranking in terms of a maximum number of people living with the diabetes. This increasing number of diabetes cases is also leading to a rise in the number of diabetic foot patients which is a matter of grave concern.

Dr PC Gupta, Consultant Vascular Surgeon at CARE Hospitals, stated, "There is high prevalence of diabetes in the country and this is increasing the number of patients suffering from PAD. The disease is progressive which leads to patients developing painful sores and ulcers in the legs or feet due to lack of oxygen. But the problem has an effective solution, Drug-Coated Balloon (DCB) technique which has emerged as one of the best methods to evade limb amputation.

As medical practitioners, we have seen encouraging results with the technique and enhanced clinical outcomes. LoveYourLimbs campaign is a part of our drive to make patients aware of this procedure and inform them about the significant impact it can have on their lives by preventing limb loss." 

Drug-Coated Balloon Technique

1. In Drug-Coated Balloon (DCB) technique, a device with a small balloon on its tip is inserted through an artery in the leg and is advanced through the arteries until it reaches the narrowed area.
2. The balloon is then inflated which flattens the plaque against the wall of the artery, opening the artery and restoring blood flow.
3. Then the balloon is deflated and removed from the body.
4. Once that is completed, a new balloon, which is coated with an anti-proliferative medication, is inserted through the same artery in the leg and is advanced through the arteries until it reaches the previously treated narrowed area.
5. The balloon is then inflated, and the medication on the balloon surface is delivered to the artery wall and surrounding tissue.
6. After a designated period of time, the balloon is deflated and removed from the body.

Symptoms of diabetic foot

1. Extreme pain in legs while walking
2. Loss of feeling
3. Numbness or tingling sensation
4. Burning sensation
5. Skin discoloration
6. Red streaks
7. Blisters or other wounds without pain