Limb Preservation
A Simple Diagnostic Test Could
Save Your Arm Or Leg From Amputation
Do I Really Need an Amputation?
For some injuries and medical conditions, an amputation is the only option. But nearly half of all people who are told they need an amputation do not get a simple diagnostic test – an angiogram – to determine if it’s possible to preserve their arm or leg. The angiogram will tell us if you have a blockage in an artery preventing your arm or leg from getting enough blood to survive. If we can fix the blockage, you may be able to heal rather than have an amputation.
Find the Blockage, Heal the Limb
We start with the arteriogram to determine if limb preservation is possible. If we find a blockage, we can clear it and put a stent in your artery to maintain blood flow. Then, we bring in a multidisciplinary team to heal your damaged limb. Your team may include a radiologist, interventional cardiologist, podiatrist, wound care physician, your primary care physician, and our vascular specialists.
We Are Passionate About Preserving Your Limb
Dr. Krikorian is a CLI Fighter – a member of the CLI Global Society, which has a mission to improve quality of life by preventing amputations and death due to Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI). He is passionate about saving limbs because, following an amputation, there is a 50% chance of dying within five years. An amputation brings on physical, psychological, emotional, and financial setbacks that are difficult to overcome. Saving a limb brings a 50% chance of saving a life.
We also offer our patients the latest and greatest procedure in limb preservation called Deep Vein Arterialization (DVA). This procedure helps treat blockages in lower leg arteries. These types of blockages are a key cause of non-healing foot wounds that may otherwise lead to amputation. Many patients, like those with chronic kidney disease or diabetes, are not good candidates for traditional surgery. But DVA, a minimally invasive procedure, takes the patient’s own vein and turns it into an artery, restoring blood flow to the foot and helping to prevent limb loss.
If You’ve Been Told You Need an Amputation, Please See Us First
"I am a passionate CLI Fighter, who will do everything I can to save your limb, so you can live longer and enjoy a better quality of life." – Dr. Raffi Krikorian
Get Treated Sooner
Because we’re highly specialized, with seven treatment locations in the St. Louis area, we’re able to schedule your exam and treatment much sooner than other facilities. Call us at 314-849-0923 or complete this contact form to get started.
Schedule a Consultation
What To Expect
Consultation
Dr. Krikorian will do a full examination, order a quick ultrasound, and perform a pressure test, all on your legs. He may start you on new medications and schedule a stent placement or other procedure if he determines you have CLI.
Procedures
CLI is an urgent condition, so we normally schedule the procedures for it within 1-5 days after the diagnosis.
Additionally, we offer a procedure called Deep Vein Arterialization (DVA) for our no option patients.
Recovery
You will have lifting restrictions for 5-7 days. If you need more than one procedure, your recovery may be different. We will let you know what to expect once you have your diagnosis.
"No More Pain"
MaryAnn R.
My daughter could not believe how good my legs looked! She is going to see Dr. Krikorian too. I was completely satisfied with my treatment and am no longer in pain. The result is fantastic and I highly recommend going to see Dr. Krikorian if you are experiencing any leg pain.
"I Walked 2 Miles the Next Day!"
Shirley M.
I had suffered with varicose veins for years. I recently went to see Dr. Krikorian at Virtue Vein & Lymphatic Center where he told me everything I needed to know about vein disease and the treatment options. He performed a laser ablation on my diseased vein, and I was able to resume my normal activity the day after my procedure!
"They Listen Very Well!"
Jeff K.
Dr. Krikorian is a busy man, but he will take the time necessary to really listen to you and figure out what the problem is. Most doctors these days seem to be talking to the computer, and not the person. Well, here it is the other way around.
"Very Knowledgable!"
Happy Patient
After my stress test was normal, Dr. Krikorian explained that the test was around 70% accurate and that I should pay close attention to my body for any warning signs. A few weeks later I was exercising when my energy was zapped in less than 10 minutes and I had a pain under the sternum. I called Dr. Krikorian and he scheduled a cardiac catheterization the next day. He said I showed no sign of a heart attack but he found a 99% blockage in the circumflex artery, which he opened with a stent. I am grateful that he explained possible warning signs and then responded quickly with the catheterization and stent.
"My Leg is Feeling So Much Better!"
Marlene G.
Dr. Krikorian performed a laser ablation to treat the vein disease in my right leg. I didn’t even realize how much my left leg hurt from varicose veins until he fixed my right leg! I thought the treatment would be painful, so I was so pleasantly surprised to find that it wasn’t.
Limb Preservation FAQ
What is an arteriogram?
It’s a diagnostic procedure that gives us an image of your arteries. We inject a contrast dye into your blood vessels, so we can see if there’s a blockage. We’re able to treat most blockages with a stent.
Is the arteriogram covered by insurance?
Treatment is covered by the majority of insurance plans. We will contact your insurance prior to any testing or procedures to verify coverage.
How soon will I know if my limb can be saved?
This can vary between individuals. Dr. Krikorian will discuss your specific condition and potential outcome with you.
Will you work with my doctor who is scheduling me for amputation?
Yes. We will absolutely share any test results and discuss our plans with your doctor.
Will my limb return to normal function?
That is our goal, but this varies between individuals. Obviously, we cannot guarantee it, but some patients regain complete normal function, others regain use, but not complete function.
