Amputations are an epidemic. PERIOD. They must be addressed NOW! No more hiding behind old data to justify the "why delay the inevitable." Advanced options are available for advanced stage PAD, known as CLTI... to 100% delay what even may be inevitable to give patients the best chance of walking to live another day and living to walk another day in order to see their grandkids grow. Cancer patients are offered chemo and radiation that don't cure them, only meant to help them live another day. CLTI patients, who have what is deemed a 'Cancer of the legs' deserve the same courtesy. While, YES, doctors should be taken to task for operating too soon without following society guidelines for conservative therapy first... It should not be overshadowing the BIGGEST AMPUTUTATION problem... Doctors not following society guidelines to even try at all to save a leg prior to amputation, 90% of which are offered without even a proper vascular evaluation at all! The Global PAD Association reports 35% of all patients who call their Leg Saver Hotline, aren't even diagnosed with PAD at all prior to amputation or even told they have a circulation problem at all until PAD Navigators suggest an ABI test. These patients are only told diabetes = amputation. This is UNACCEPTABLE! That's why it's about time the voice of our patients is finally heard through Amputation Nation. Watch this powerful glimpse of the REAL STORY BEHIND THE AMPUTATION EPIDEMIC FOR PATIENTS WITH PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE.
