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Limb Preservation


Preventing Amputations Through Early Interventions

Lower-limb amputations account for the vast majority of all amputations, and diabetes – specifically diabetic foot ulcers – is the leading cause of nontraumatic lower-limb amputations in the U.S. Unfortunately, the rate of amputation is increasing. We are here to change that.

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Our Limb Preservation Program is the first of its kind in Montana, focusing on amputation prevention. Our program offers early intervention to help patients maintain as much mobility and function as possible, with the goal of avoiding amputation and promoting health to prevent future issues.

Conditions Treated

  • Diabetic wounds / Chronic non-healing wounds
  • Critical Lim Ischemia / Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia
  • Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)
  • Venous insufficiency
  • Bone infections
  • Severe infection/gangrene
  • Neuropathic ulcers
  • Other limb-threatening forms of trauma, wounds, lymphedema or vascular conditions

Treatment

A nurse navigator works closely with our team of specialists to manage care, coordinate referrals and assist with insurance authorizations as needed. Patients benefit from multidisciplinary expertise in cardiology, wound care, podiatry, endovascular surgery, interventional radiology, orthopedics, plastic surgery, and/or physical medicine & rehabilitation. With early interventions, our team can help patients avoid or minimize amputation.  Treatments include:

  • Peripheral Angiography
  • Peripheral Intervention
  • Endovascular surgery for arterial revascularization
  • Wound debridement
  • Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
  • Hospital admission to facilitate care (IV antibiotics, MRI, accelerated workup)
  • Ankle-brachial index
  • Arterial duplex
  • Soft tissue reconstruction
  • Flap surgery
  • Microvascular Surgery
  • Bone Reconstruction

While our team is committed to doing everything we can to prevent amputation, sometimes, that outcome is unavoidable. If amputation is required, we work closely with surgical specialists in the area to get patients the care they need and will continue to assist with rehabilitation, prosthesis fittings and follow-up appointments.

Refer a Patient

  1. Use Cerner, to send a referral, or
  2. Contact our Limb Preservation Nurse Navigator
  3. Urgent Referral? Call our transfer center at (406) 327-4726

Your Provider Team

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