My grandmother has no blood flow in her legs and has dry gangrane on them. Her feet were purple but they gave her a medication and turned red. She is in the hospital and one of her fingers is dead. They told her they were going to test more on her because for some reason she can walk. What are the chances that they wont amputate her feet? Also, she's diabetic.
2006-11-25 07:23:13 · 13 answers · asked by qdurango 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
It doesn't sound good. A friend of ours had his legs amputated a few months ago - similar situation - diabetes and he was also on dialysis. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. If your grandmother is walking, she is one tough lady and a fighter. She probably has the constitution to get through this. Be proud of her and give her all the support you can.
2006-11-25 07:33:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
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2016-09-16 01:35:07 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No blood flow means that the tissues of her legs will be deprived of oxygen and nutrients and die. This is basically what gangrene is - dead tissue that is rotting. Unfortunately diabetes does not help recovery from this sort of problem.
Gangrenous tissue can sometimes be treated by exposing the affected area to oxygen under pressure. This is because the gangrene bacteria only survive in tissues that have a low level of oxygen in them. If this fails or the affected area is beyond saving then it has to be removed by amputation - and the amputation has to be far enough up to go through tissue that is still alive and healthy so that the amputation wound can heal and so that the gangrene is completely removed and doesn't spread further.
It is encouraging that your grandmother can still walk and this implies that some oxygen (and therefore blood) is still getting to her legs and enabling her nerves and muscles to survive sufficiently to allow her to walk. Medication to "open up" her blood vessels to get more oxygen into her legs might work, depending on how far the disease has progressed. Without knowing this, it's not possible to say what the chances are that she'll lose her feet but I have to say that with the added complication of diabetes it is actually quite common for amputation to be the only available course of action in the long term.
2006-11-25 07:25:28 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
With no blood flow, that part of the body dies. The gangrene is an indication that this has happened. It's important for them to get rid of the dead tissue, because the bacteria from the gangrenous tissue could spread to other parts of her body and kill her. That means that sometimes amputation is necessary.
I am sorry that this is happening to your grandmother. It's obvious that you are pretty upset by this. My grandmother had a leg amputated and it was hard to see a woman who had previously been so lively be confined to a wheelchair. I'm sure the doctors are doing what they think is best.
2006-11-25 07:29:39 · answer #4 · answered by drshorty 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If blood flow can not be restored, then the legs need to come off for her own safety/health. Gangrene will spread and get worse. You could inquire to the docs whether angioplasty would be a viable option. It would be a bit easier on her, but getting that depends on the severity/length of the blockages. Being diabetic makes sense, it is not uncommon for diabetics to have blockages in the arteries in their body. Make sure she controls her sugar levels from now on to prevent any worsening of problems.
2006-11-25 17:48:06 · answer #5 · answered by kirsten j 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just adding that, now, my mother no longer has blood flow in her lower right leg. It s from smoking...Dr. is keeping an eye on her. She is in the hospital now. Soon, she will face amputation...I will say, it s a good thing she has Alzheimer s, which will keep her out of this loop.
2016-03-04 08:52:46 · answer #6 · answered by Linda Lou 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gangrene occurs and often this has to lead to the limb being removed. It depends on the severity and length of lack of blood flow but it is most likely that she will have to have them amputated. I wish you a lot of luck and hope that you have the support around you that you need.
Best Wishes.x
2006-11-25 07:27:16 · answer #7 · answered by Sofie B 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
since it is dry gangrene she has a slight chance of keeping her feet. the best bet is to make sure she watches her sugar levels and follows a good diet. take the meds the dr gives her and see a good podiatrist that has done a fellowship in wound care.
2006-11-25 07:31:14 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the chances are not good that she'll walk again 4. that diabetic is a bad desease and if she has no blood flow ;they most likely will have to cut 1or both legs off.. i have sevral family with diabetes and some died and some had legs cut off,,,,,,,,
2006-11-25 08:01:09 · answer #9 · answered by Cami lives 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Unfortunately, she is probably going to lose her feet if they do not restore the circulation soon.Sorry to here about that.
2006-11-25 07:32:27 · answer #10 · answered by S.A.M. Gunner 7212 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋