A NEW DOCUMENTARY

Episode 1: An Epidemic

Diabetes is a national epidemic. Deadlier than many cancers. Many diabetics develop peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and critical limb ischemia (CLI). Once blood flow can’t be restored to the leg or foot, amputation is often required. However, 60% percent of amputations are performed without patients receiving a proper screening or without understanding what treatment options currently exist.  What kind of treatment a patient receives is largely based on who they are referred to and what socioeconomic population group they belong to. 

Episode 2: Endovascular Revolution

Unhealthy local cuisines, cheap processed foods, and lifestyle choices are making diabetes and PAD more prevalent. You can see “hotspots” across the country. For years PAD & CLI have been underappreciated. Traditionally, vascular surgeons treated this disease with bypass surgery or amputation. However, new minimally-invasive technologies have emerged such as balloons, stents, lasers, and atherectomies. These technologies can now make the impossible, possible. Legs can now be preserved, and lives saved.

Episode 3: The Haves & Have Nots

How patients are treated for CLI is a flip of a coin and is dependent on who they are referred to. Many poorer patients have few options, while those with financial capabilities can perhaps track down better care if they are even aware that it exist. And if you are a woman?  The odds of limb-saving care goes down even more.

Episode 4: Roadblocks

We can save lives and limbs, but why aren’t we?  A lack of education is the primary reason. Many patients and referring physicians simply don’t know what is possible. Treating CLI is a unique skillset, and the field needs to train more doctors. There are also turf wars between physician groups who are working against each other instead of for their patients. Hospitals are battling physician-owned out-patient clinics and insurers are denying coverage for limb-saving procedures. The science and financial implications are clear. Amputations are not better for patients, their families, society, or our country’s financial outlook. We must all get on the same page.

Episode 5: The Right Time to Amputate

Most amputees die within five years. Why is that? Is a minor amputation better than a major amputation? Perhaps we should amputate earlier so patients are healthy enough to recover? These are sick patients and will always be sick patients. Some may argue that continuously treating CLI patients only puts off the inevitable. Data says otherwise. We treat cancer patients to extend their lives, why can’t we treat these patients the same?

Episode 6: We Can Do Better

Success stories do happen. Many patients have received this life-saving care and have kept their legs and lived long fulfilling lives. It starts with outreach education, prevention, wound care, training tomorrow’s physicians, working together, and patient advocacy to all those in power that have the political will to make a difference. Diabetic patients suffering from CLI don’t deserve a life-ending treatment. They deserve a multi-specialty program that leads to a long happy life.