Prevention of cold numbness and pain, arterial obstruction and amputation of lower limbs

Don't ignore the cold of the lower limbs, and be careful that the arteries of the lower limbs are blocked, resulting in amputation. According to doctors, people who like smoking and abnormal metabolism are high-risk groups, especially diabetics. Treatment can be improved by drugs and surgery, but the most fundamental way is to change your living habits, such as quitting smoking, otherwise there is still the possibility of blockage after surgery.

I don't ignore the cold of my lower limbs. The doctor suggests that you should check your feet every day to keep them clean and warm. (Photo/Huang Zhiwen) Chen Yizhi, a cardiologist at Tainan Municipal Hospital, pointed out that arterial diseases of the lower limbs are caused by arteriosclerosis of the lower limbs, which causes arterial stenosis of the lower limbs, and blood flow cannot reach the feet, resulting in hypoxia of the lower limbs. Its typical symptom is intermittent claudication, that is, the muscles of lower limbs are sore when walking, and about 25% patients' condition will gradually deteriorate.

Clinically, intermittent claudication discomfort limits the walking distance of patients, which not only reduces their willingness to exercise, but also greatly affects their life function. Therefore, patients with lower extremity arterial disease are equivalent to patients who have suffered from coronary heart disease or stroke, because the risk of recurrence of cardiovascular disease is quite high.

Dr. Chen Yizhi said that severe blockage of arteries in limbs may cause toe and foot ulcers, or foot wounds are difficult to heal. When going up and down stairs and walking, the back of the calf is sore and uncomfortable, swollen and weak, and sometimes patients don't care, leading to wound necrosis and amputation.

At the same time, lower extremity arterial disease will reduce the quality of life, cause disability, and be more prone to cardiovascular disease, so diabetic patients should not smoke, because quitting smoking can reduce the chance of cardiovascular disease. To prevent arterial diseases of lower limbs, it is necessary to strictly control blood sugar, blood pressure and blood lipid. The goal of blood sugar control is to keep glycosylated hemoglobin below 7%, with no hypoglycemia symptoms as the lower limit.

If there is no peptic ulcer or drug allergy, all patients with lower extremity arterial disease should take aspirin to prevent stroke and myocardial infarction.

Dr. Chen Yizhi (left) said that the arteries in the limbs are severely blocked, which may cause toe and foot ulcers, or foot wounds that are difficult to heal. (Photo courtesy of Tainan Municipal Hospital) Dr. Chen Yizhi emphasized that besides drugs, exercise training and correction of risk factors, percutaneous balloon angioplasty can also be used. However, if percutaneous balloon angioplasty cannot treat patients, traditional bypass surgery can be considered to improve the blood circulation of lower limbs and improve the quality of life of patients.

In addition, patients should also pay attention to the care and protection of their feet, including wearing appropriate shoes and socks, not walking barefoot and taking off their shoes, conducting foot self-examination every day, keeping their feet clean and warm, applying lubricating emulsion on dry skin, and conducting foot screening by doctors every year. It is especially important to see a doctor immediately when there is an ulcer or intermittent claudication in the foot wound.