Changjiang Daily Wuhan Client, April 6th (Reporter Wu Ye Correspondent Yang Shiyu) “I used to rely on analgesics to fall asleep, but now I can finally get a good night’s sleep!” The toe gangrene caused by arteriosclerosis obliterans of the right lower extremity almost faced amputation. The doctor opened the blood vessels for it through interventional surgery, and the patient’s pain was relieved immediately.
The 96-year-old grandma Liu lives in Hanyang and has been suffering from pain in the toes of her right foot for more than a month. The old man is afraid of causing trouble to his children, so he silently concealed his condition. It was not until March 29 that Grandma Liu was in so much pain that she could not sleep after taking painkillers, so she went to the emergency department of Wuhan Fifth Hospital with her children. Dr. Yang Rui, a vascular surgeon, found that the fifth toe of the patient’s right foot was black, unable to walk, and would experience severe pain without touching it. He had a tendency to develop toe gangrene. Subsequent examinations confirmed the doctor’s judgment. The patient suffered from right lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans and gangrene of the toes, as well as a history of hypertension and heart disease.
The doctor performed wound debridement for Grandma Liu. Photo by reporter Wu Ye and correspondent Yang Shiyu
On the afternoon of March 30, Dr. Yang Rui performed interventional surgery for the patient to open up the occluded blood vessel. The patient’s right lower limb pain was completely relieved that night. After the operation, the doctor repaired the wound for her. At present, Grandma Liu’s wound has healed well and will be discharged from the hospital in a few days.
“Lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans is due to the formation of plaques by atherosclerosis in the lower extremities, which causes arterial stenosis and occlusion in the lower extremities, which in turn leads to chronic ischemia of the extremities.” Dr. Yang Rui introduced, “three highs”, diabetes and Smokers are more likely to suffer from arteriosclerosis obliterans of the upper and lower extremities. In the early stage of the patient, the calf is sore and weak, and intermittent claudication occurs; as the limb ischemia increases, the patient will also have limb pain and chills when lying still, which is the symptom of “resting pain”; if this situation is left unchecked , will eventually develop into limb ulceration and necrosis, and the patient faces amputation.
Dr. Yang Rui introduced that the symptoms of lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans can be relieved by drug therapy in the early stage, and in severe cases, interventional surgery is needed to dilate the stenotic blood vessels. Once the limbs develop complete necrosis and ulceration , the necrotic limbs must be amputated, serious or even life-threatening.
The family of Grandma Liu presented the pennant to Dr. Yang Rui’s team. Reporter Wu Ye Correspondent Yang Shiyu Photo
Experts remind that the elderly, especially those with “three highs” underlying diseases, should pay attention to the discomfort of lower limb pain, and promptly go to the hospital’s vascular surgery to find out the cause. Patients who have received surgical treatment need to insist on local wound repair in the later stage to promote wound healing.
[Editor: Yu Lina]