Learn your options beyond amputation

Losing a leg, toe or foot can have a large impact on your quality of life. Your ability to work might be affected, and you might not be able to pursue leisure activities you enjoy.

Yet amputationTo surgically remove all or part of a limb (leg, foot or toe) is a common outcome for advanced stages of peripheral artery diseasePeripheral artery disease (PAD) is a disease in which plaque builds up in the arteries that carry blood to your head, organs, and limbs. Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, fibrous tissue, and other substances in the blood. (PADPeripheral Artery Disease, a potentially life threatening disease where plaque, like calcium, builds up along blood vessel walls, narrowing the arteries and reducing blood flow to the legs and feet.). People with diabetes(Diabetes mellitus) is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. and PAD are especially prone to this happening, having a 5 to 10 times greater risk of amputation.^12,45

Many people with PAD could benefit from other treatments, but they — and sometimes their doctors — aren’t aware of all of their options. The level of care for PAD can vary greatly from physician to physician.