Q: What does “limb salvage” mean?

A: Limb salvage is a term that describes the goal of treating foot ulcers in such a way as to preserve as much of the foot and lower leg as possible. It generally applies to diabetic foot wounds and represents a coordinated effort between the podiatrist, vascular surgeon, endocrinologist, primary care physician and orthotist to heal foot wounds, minimize the need for amputation, and provide for a patient’s ability to be able to stand and walk. A rolling stone gathers no moss, as they say, and we want our patients to be up and moving as much as possible.